Need Advise on Full Face Mask

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Fri May 30, 2008 10:01 am

Okay...I am getting frustrated. I have used the Resmed Ultra Mirage FF mask and Resmed Quattro FF mask for the past couple of years. The Ultra Mirage worked fairly well but left me with really dark circles under my eyes because of the contact with the delicate tissue under my eyes. SO I tried the Quattro. Well, it blows air into my eyes causing irritation in addition to the causing dark circles. So, last week I ordered the NEW! Respironics Comfort Gel FF mask. Honestly they should have named this the Uncomfortable Gel Mask as it left not only dark circles under my eyes, it leaked excessively and left a huge red indention on the right side of my face (I sleep predominat,y on my right side). So, since I bought the insurance and can return the Comfort Gel, I am now in search of a better mask.

I am considering the Hybrid Universal FF Mask w/Nasal Pillows or the Mirage Liberty FF Mask with Nasal Pillows. I have never used nasal pillows before but I am willing to give it a try.

Again, I sleep either on my right side or on my stomach with my head facing right. I don't think I move around much at night. Do any of you have any feedback on these two units? I would like to order one of them today.

Let me know please. Thanks a bunch!!!!!!

Hawthorne · Post by **Hawthorne** » Fri May 30, 2008 11:01 am

I have the Hybrid and like it very much. For me, it is a very comfortable mask. The biggest thing about it is that there are so many options! It comes complete with 3 mouth pieces and 3 sets of nasal pillows so getting a set up that suits you is very possible. The nasal pillows can even be cut apart and 2 different sizes can be worn, if one nostril is larger than the other. The chin rest can also be removed if it is a problem. There is no forehead rest and that is a big thing for me. I really have trouble with those. For me, the headgear is comfortable. I use the medium mouth piece and the medium pillows and that seems to work well for me. Masks are ,of course, very individual. It's a lot of trial and error to get what works for you. Hope I helped.

rbv24 · Post by **rbv24** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:41 pm

You might also want to check out the Hans Rudolph V7600 V2 for a comfortable mask. Most nights I hardly noticed that it's there.

I used the V1 for over 2 years and the V2 for about 4 months and my AHI is consistently under 2 with minimal leaks.

The initial cost may scare people off but there are no parts that have to be replaced such as the seal for UMFF.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri May 30, 2008 12:58 pm

What mask works well for one is torture for another. Unless your face is identical to the person making the recomendation, you may well not have the same experience.

Unfortunately, the only way to really find your best mask is to try as many as you can and hope you get lucky that it doesn't take too many.

Good luck!

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:29 pm

I just ordered a Mirage Liberty Full Face Mask with nasal pillows. I am hoping that is the answer!

ezstreet · Post by **ezstreet** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:32 pm

I don't consider myself an expert, but it sounds like we have had many of the same experiences. I actually started out with the Resmed Swift II and loved it. It is probably the most comfortable mask around. I sometimes sleep on my side and the Swift II didn't seem to pose any problem. I soon discovered, however that I was breathing and leaking through my open mouth. I tried a chin strap, but I still leaked through the mouth.

Next I went to the Quattro. I actually found it to be fairly comfortable (as FF masks go), but it leaked excessively.

I finally tried the Resmed Liberty FF and LOVE it! The mouth mask shell comfortably covers my mouth and eliminates worry of mouth leaks or open mouth breathing. It is small and compact enough that I can sleep on my side. Once I found the right size pillows, they are also very comfortable.

Two tips that I discovered about this mask: (1) use the largest pillow size that is comfortable. I started with the medium and found that it tended to leak at times. It turned out that they were actually small enough to begin to enter my nose. Once I shifted to the large size, the flanges fit perfectly around the edges of my nose and made a perfect (and more comfortable) seal. (2) Don't get a mask size that is too large. The key with the Liberty is the area around your mouth and chin... not total face size. If you use a large in a typical FF, you might want to try a medium in the Liberty.

I hope this helps. good luck.

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:39 pm

ezstreet:

The Mirage Liberty only appears to come in small and large. I used the size template from another website to determine the size I should order. I hope it is going to fit correctly. I also called cpap.com and they said that this mask only comes in small and large as well. I thought that was kind fo weird but I guess they should know.

Thanks for your feedback!

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Fri May 30, 2008 1:52 pm

[quote="skjansen"]ezstreet:

The Mirage Liberty only appears to come in small and large. I used the size template from another website to determine the size I should order. I hope it is going to fit correctly. I also called cpap.com and they said that this mask only comes in small and large as well. I thought that was kind fo weird but I guess they should know.

Thanks for your feedback!

sagesteve · Post by **sagesteve** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:05 pm

I have the Quattro full face. I know what you mean about it blowing into your eyes. I turn the hose fitting (and hose) upside down and off to the side...then it blows to the side of my mouth. My leakage rate is 32.4, well within range. Solved my problem.

ww · Post by ww » Sat May 31, 2008 5:21 pm

ezstreet wrote:I (2) Don't get a mask size that is too large. The key with the Liberty is the area around your mouth and chin... not total face size. If you use a large in a typical FF, you might want to try a medium in the Liberty.

Unfortunately, the liberty only comes in small and large!

vives · Post by **vives** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:37 pm

I have the liberty but have been unable to use it. It presses on my top teeth and is uncomfortable has anyone had this problem? And how did you fix it?

skjansen · Post by **skjansen** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 2:43 pm

vives...I ordered the Liberty. Should receive it today. I hope it doesn't cause my teeth to hurt. The Comfort Gel FF mask that I just sent back made my lower teeth hurt.

Just as a point of reference, I have used a nasal mask in the past and it ended up pushing my front teeth apart about 1/8 of an inch. I thought my teeth were somehow wasting away (although I have perfect teeth) but it turned out the mask was causing the gap. When I started using a FF mask my teeth returned to their normal position. It was weird!!!

I am hoping the Liberty does not do that to me since it sits on part of the upper lip.

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 5:35 pm

I have both used both the Liberty and the Hybrid. I prefer the Liberty but they are both good. I agree with the other poster who suggested using the largest nasal pillow possible that doesn't leak since they do seem to be problematic otherwise. (Hybrid doesn't appear to have this problem) I find the Liberty the most comfortable.

track · Post by **track** » Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:30 pm

My favorite side sleeping full face mask is the Soyala. However it doesn't do well at higher pressures.

Need Advise on Full Face Mask

Need Advise on Full Face Mask

Full Face masks

Liberty works well for me.

Re: Liberty works well for me.

Liberty mask

Mask	Humidifier

Additional Comments: CPAP Pro No Mask,Full Quattro Mask, SleepWeaver cloth mask InvaCare Oxygenator 2.5L bleed, Control III, M Series