Mask Questions

[GUEST 2]

Hi everyone,

I work for a company that mfg the masks many of you are using. I have a couple of questions I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering. I want to get a better understanding of the issues you may have experienced with a mask. If you could please take a few minutes to answer the few questions I've listed below I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.


1. Have you experienced redness, red marks, skin indentations, or pressure points from a mask?

Yes / No

2. Where did it occur? (Select all that apply)

Cheek
Bridge of Nose
Forehead
Upper Lip
Lower Lip
Other

3. How long did it last?

Less than 1 hour
2 - 4 hours
Over 4 hours
Never went away

4. How severe were they?

Not an issue
Mild
Moderate
Severe

5. What did you do about it? (Select all that apply)

Nothing - kept wearing mask
Modified mask (if yes, what did you do?)
Contacted homecare provider
Contacted physician
Switched mask
Stopped using therapy
Other

6. What bothered you the most about the issue?

7. List the mask(s) that have given you redness, red marks, skin indentations, or pressure points?

[alnhwrd]

1. Yes

2.Bridge of nose

3. Never went away.

4. Mild, Moderate and Severe, depending on the day. Really bad the first month or two, but my nose seems to have toughened up a bit.

5. Switched mask, had the same problem, switched back. Modified mask with a silicone putty gasket which allowed for looser fit without excessive leaks.

6. IMHO, masks should be more individually fitted. Plaster impressions are made of feet for orthototics, molds are made for dental crowns and hearing aids, why not something similar for a mask that is an intregal part of a life saving therapy? Being looked at by a tech who says, "yep, you're a medium" and having only two choices of nasal masks, both of which caused the same problems, hardly seems like the best way to go.

7. Comfort gel and Ultra Mirage I & II

[Pad A Cheek]

Hello I have a business that specifically deals with the pressure points, the strap marks and the redness from the seal of the masks.

I started with the Profile Lite and graduated to the Comfort Gel then on to the Activa. Now I use the Soyala Nasal Mask.

I got strap marks from the first one. But after that I always put PAD A CHEEKs on the mask before using it. These are pads for the various parts of the mask to make it more comfortable and more colorful if you want.


http://www.padacheek.com

I wish everyone a soft sleep.

Karen

[sleepycarol]

I think Padacheeks has already developed an exceptional product for this!!

Way to go PadACheeks.

[Pad A Cheek]

I thank you Sleepycarol for your kind words. I try......

It is my pleasure to help people with sleep apnea sleep better.

Karen

[deerslayer]

What SleepyCarol Said

[Wulfman]

Hi everyone,

I work for a company that mfg the masks many of you are using. I have a couple of questions I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering. I want to get a better understanding of the issues you may have experienced with a mask. If you could please take a few minutes to answer the few questions I've listed below I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.


1. Have you experienced redness, red marks, skin indentations, or pressure points from a mask?

Yes / No

2. Where did it occur? (Select all that apply)

Cheek
Bridge of Nose
Forehead
Upper Lip
Lower Lip
Other

3. How long did it last?

Less than 1 hour
2 - 4 hours
Over 4 hours
Never went away

4. How severe were they?

Not an issue
Mild
Moderate
Severe

5. What did you do about it? (Select all that apply)

Nothing - kept wearing mask
Modified mask (if yes, what did you do?)
Contacted homecare provider
Contacted physician
Switched mask
Stopped using therapy
Other

6. What bothered you the most about the issue?

7. List the mask(s) that have given you redness, red marks, skin indentations, or pressure points?

Well........that explains some things about your posts and philosophy.
Now I have a question: Which company?

I've only used 4 full face masks and I didn't wear 2 of them long enough to "injure" myself.......but the Comfortfull 2 was coming close after 3 nights and leaked badly. I tried the Zzz-Mask and couldn't stop the leaks with it, either. That just leaves the UMFF and the Quattro that I have been able to wear. ResMed would have been money ahead if they'd have just re-designed the seal they used for the Quattro to fit the UMFF......and I told them that. The leaky elbow of the Quattro is another "business weenie" brain fart. I feel sorry for the users who get those masks and aren't aware of the "Teflon tape fix" for it.

You left out other questions......like:
"Was your mask a leaking, overpriced POS?"

and in #5......."Did you contact the manufacturer?"

Soooooo........WHICH COMPANY?

Den (I answered YOUR questions)

[deerslayer]

looks like snake oil,smells like snake oil....Glad we didn't step in it to coin a phrase from C & C. ......,lol what ever happened to credibility ?

[Guest]

You left out other questions......like:
"Was your mask a leaking, overpriced POS?"

[Wulfman]

You left out other questions......like:
"Was your mask a leaking, overpriced POS?"

Good mornin'!

Glad to see you're still around, reading the tongue-in-cheek humor.

I think you've got to admit that most masks are "overpriced".......when compared to their manufacturing costs AND virtually ALL masks leak for SOME people.

I just wish I knew who you worked for so I could try to offer some constructive suggestions to your company's mask designs. (seriously)

Your profile indicates that you ("thedean") are located in Northeast Ohio, so I'm going to guess you work for:
Invacare Corporation (NYSE:IVC), headquartered in Elyria, Ohio

How am I doin'?

Like I said, I did try the Zzz FF mask, and it was comfortable.....to a point. Unfortunately it lacked a sufficient frame and forehead piece to keep it from shifting and then leaking.

Feel free to PM me if you care to.


Den

[DreamStalker]

Hi everyone,

I work for a company that mfg the masks many of you are using. I have a couple of questions I was wondering if you wouldn't mind answering. I want to get a better understanding of the issues you may have experienced with a mask. If you could please take a few minutes to answer the few questions I've listed below I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.


1. Have you experienced redness, red marks, skin indentations, or pressure points from a mask?

Yes / No

Yes

2. Where did it occur? (Select all that apply)

Cheek
Bridge of Nose
Forehead
Upper Lip
Lower Lip
Other

Other ... my butt cuz that's the only place I would wear a Respironics mask.

3. How long did it last?

Less than 1 hour
2 - 4 hours
Over 4 hours
Never went away

Never went away ... I have a big indentation crack running down the middle of my butt now from the pressure points.

4. How severe were they?

Not an issue
Mild
Moderate
Severe

Severe ... my butt cheeks flap together now when I flatulate.

5. What did you do about it? (Select all that apply)

Nothing - kept wearing mask
Modified mask (if yes, what did you do?)
Contacted homecare provider
Contacted physician
Switched mask
Stopped using therapy
Other

All of the above. I kept wearing it until I used some duct tape to stabilize my butt cheeks, then I contacted my homecare provider (DME) and they said to keep trying at least 4 hours per day, then I contacted my physician and he said to come in for another study and more tests, then I switched to a full cheek mask and I farted all of the time even after I took the mask off, so then I just quit wearing the Respironics masks all together and everything was ok ... except I still have a big indentation crack running down the middle of my butt. Pad-a-cheeks work great though!

6. What bothered you the most about the issue?

The noise and red marks on my skin.

7. List the mask(s) that have given you redness, red marks, skin indentations, or pressure points?

Respironics followed by names like comfort and opti and such.

[lwg]

I addressed the cost of masks in a recent post. IMHO, if there are not patent infringement issues, one of these days a Chinese company is going to put U.S. price-gouging companies out of business by producing the same or better quality masks and selling them for less than $20.00 apiece. Can't wait.

[Wulfman]

Just to clarify something from my previous post......

PMI is a subsidiary of Invacare.

http://www.pmiusa.biz/

http://www.pmiusa.biz/press_releases.html

And, Invacare does make its own line of products, including masks.

http://www.invacare.com/cgi-bin/imhqprd ... -536886116

http://www.invacare.com/cgi-bin/imhqprd ... -536886114

http://www.invacare.com/cgi-bin/imhqprd ... opNavLink1


Den

[pjwalman]

Slightly off topic now...I'm glad you pointed that out, Den, 'cause I've been curious about the Invacare Tranquilty FFM, and if it's made by the same company that makes the ZZZ, then I think it warrants my looking into it more. I absolutely LOVE my ZZZ! My only problem with it is that you can't buy a replacement cushion. But for comfort, for me anyway, it is hands down the best for my particular face shape and the mask that leaks the least of those I've tried (Quattro, Mirage, 432, Hybrid). I couldn't find anyone that had tried the Invacare masks when I posted an inquiry about it, but if they are similarly comfortable to the ZZZ, then I definitely want a test drive!

TheDean, if you are still there and Den is right, could you please let me know if the Invacare Twilight FFM is similar to the ZZZ in comfort, from your knowledge of customer feedback? Since I have experienced some problems with leaks near the eyes and since it is supposed to have the extra ribs to avoid that, I have been leaning toward trying it but wanted to hear from somebody who knew more about it. Does it have that rigid plastic under the cushion like the Quattro and Mirage? 'Cause that is the part that caused pain for me in those masks and not something I want to have to go through again. No matter what modifications I tried with the Mack's, that frame style just didn't work for my nose. Actually the 432 does that somewhat also to my nose bridge, but Mack's on the inner shell makes it at least tolerable.

And since I'm assuming you're posting because you are looking into making improvements to your company's masks or have a new one in the making, you might want to check out the thread about "What features would you want in your dream mask?" Several people have chimed in about what they would like...in a perfect mask world.

Peggy

[Pad A Cheek]

Hey Dreamstalker,

You truly need a different set of installation instructions for the PAD A CHEEKs that you have. You are wearing them ALL WRONG there Buddy.

There is no way that they would cover the teritory you are talking about........

I do hope you have less chaffing on all parts of your body because of your great sleep. Sleep softly.....


Karen