New Probasics Zzz Mask Thread

[Catnap]

My Zzz mask arrived today. Shipping was very frustrating. CPAP.com sent it out the same day I ordered it (wow!) but UPS delayed it for a week. It took them 4 days just to get it out of Texas -- 3 days just to move it between Dallas and Houston! (Of course, being sleep deprived, I have a low tolerance for frustration, LOL!)

Anyway, first impressions: It's significantly lighter and smaller than the Ultra Mirage or Quattro, but feels as roomy. Not having the forehead piece makes a surprising difference in its comfort. I don't really find the forehead support uncomfortable, but not having it there feels pretty liberating. The headgear is easy to adjust (typical stretchy sticks-to-itself fabric) and the clips are easy to use, but don't look nearly as secure or solid as the UM/Quattro clips. It did come with two replacement clips, so I guess they think I might need them (nice that they were included). It's upstairs hanging on the headboard now, so I'll report back tomorrow after my first night of sleeping with it.

I know this has been said many times before, but thank goodness for CPAP.com's mask return insurance that makes it so easy to try this out! Also, if you are ordering from them, I highly recommend carefully working your way through the online mask sizer. It looks like a hassle and you'll feel a little silly with your hand mirror and ruler, but I ordered this mask based on the sizer's advice, and it seems to be exactly the right size. Also, the sizer will generate a list of all the recommended masks for your measurements and allow you to keep it on file on the website.

[junie]

Good luck to you, hope you like it let us know

[wasColette]

Very curious to hear your findings as this is a mask I'm interested in.

[builta]

Good luck with the mask. I've recently obtained one.

Sizing wise, it fits me very similar to a Resmed Quattro. First several day have been OK. Unit is very compact and easy to put on and adjust. Its very easy to clean. So far no mask marks at all (after three days). Very easy to see around and I can put on my reading glasses and read with the unit running. Mask is a bit more leaky then some other types.

Leak rate chart showing lots of "noise" (leak rate always moving) and significant range. My wife says that she has been bothered by some of the larger leaks. It also seems to be sensitive to side sleeping--causes more leaks and mask air vents can make noticeable noise when sleeping on your side (such that vents blow against sheets or pillow.) Maybe some more experience with the mask and headgear adjustments will help.

I still like my F&P HC432 better-so far.

[Catnap]

I'm kind of bummed to read that about the leak rates -- finding myself looking at your picture and trying to decide if I think our faces are shaped similarly, LOL! Being able to read more easily with the mask on will be nice, since I like to read in bed. I'll check in tomorrow!

[builta]

I'm kind of bummed to read that about the leak rates -- finding myself looking at your picture and trying to decide if I think our faces are shaped similarly, LOL! Being able to read more easily with the mask on will be nice, since I like to read in bed. I'll check in tomorrow!

Oh, I hope that your face is not shaped like mine!

I do like that it seals well at low headgear tension--but may need to tighten it some so that turning in my sleep doesn't cause so many leaks. I am really suprized at the random variation in my leak rate reports. Never had a mask leak rate report that looked like a scribble line drawn by a person who had "just finished their third pot of coffee" before.

[Catnap]

I do like that it seals well at low headgear tension--but may need to tighten it some so that turning in my sleep doesn't cause so many leaks. I am really suprized at the random variation in my leak rate reports. Never had a mask leak rate report that looked like a scribble line drawn by a person who had "just finished their third pot of coffee" before.

Unfortunately, that mirrors my experience last night. My machine is not data capable, but the leaks woke me up enough, in enough varied ways, for me to know that any written leak line would have looked like that. It leaked out the bottom when I lay on my back. It leaked out the top when I lay on my side. It leaked all over partway through the night when my face was damp (not sure if I was too warm in bed or if maybe the humidity was too high on my machine for this smaller mask). I ended up torquing the straps to the point that I had strap marks embedded in my face this morning.

Tonight I will try again with very loose headgear to see if maybe I erred on the side of too tight when I started out. However, I'll also have the Ultra Mirage hanging nearby just in case. I don't want to feel like I felt this morning. For the first time since I started CPAP, the only thing I wanted when I got up today was to take a nap as soon as possible. I did, about an hour after getting out of bed, and was asleep for almost 90 minutes. Just like the old days. Despite my uninformative machine, my body let me know it sure didn't like the sleep quality it got last night.

[builta]

Last night was a bad night on the FFM Probasics Zzz. I tightened the headgear up a bit and did much better overall with leaks. But, then came 3AM. The entire swivel came out of the mask and into the mask and my mouth. That really woke me up. I removed it am put my F&P HC432 on in its place.

Looking at the data showed the same noisy leak rate and then a nice flat line with the HC432.

I was able to put the ZZZ mask and swivel back together, but it was a little bit of a pain. I've heard of this problem before. Maybe it wasn't put together correctly in the first place. We'll see. More updates to come. But I might just take a day off on my HC432 to catch up on my sleep.

[Catnap]

Well, I'm very sorry to report that I'm going to be taking advantage of the return insurance I bought on the Zzz mask. I tried it again last night, adjusting the headgear differently and also with a Remzzz liner, but nothing seemed to help. I was still plagued with leaks, many of them bad enough to wake me up. I switched to my Ultra Mirage a couple hours after going to bed and slept soundly through the rest of the night. I definitely missed the nice, lightweight feeling of the Zzz mask (the Ultra Mirage always feels very hard and plastic-y to me), and the UM isn't perfect as far as leaks, either, but for me, it's far better than the Zzz. The search continues

[volkrt]

I tried the ZZZ mask also for about a week....being a side sleeper it constantly leaked on me with the slightest movement...I am currently trying a umff but it also leaks into the eyes on me.....I agree with your conclusions also and I am still in search for a mask that can tolerate my side sleeping and moving around....i'm unsure about nasal or nasal pillow masks as of yet...it seems to me you would be breathing more of of your used air with these type of mask than with a full face....I tried an optilife nasal pillow mask and within 5 minutes had a headache and was getting some palpitations...wierd stuff

[Kiralynx]

Looking at the data showed the same noisy leak rate and then a nice flat line with the HC432.

Did you find a leak rate chart for the Zzz full-face?

[psikes]

Similar experience for me with the Zzz mask. I loved the light weight but could not keep it from leaking. I tried a Medium but wish now I had gone for a Small size. I have since moved on to the Hans Rudolph V2 (small) and having my best success yet. I do still have to wear a chin strap as my jaw drops significantly when I fall asleep. The V2 is very comfortable for me as a side sleeper and so far has given me the best therapy of all the masks that I have tried, and I have been through a bunch.

Phil

[builta]

Looking at the data showed the same noisy leak rate and then a nice flat line with the HC432.

Did you find a leak rate chart for the Zzz full-face?

Hi,

No, I haven't found an "official chart" but I wasn't activly looking. BTW, on my re-try three nights ago, the center swivel, where it attaches to the mask came loose after about 6 hours and fell into the mask. Now the mask is in my "old CPAP draw." But I'd say that the
average leak rate at a pressure of 12/8 was about 45 LPM.

[Kiralynx]

No, I haven't found an "official chart" but I wasn't activly looking. BTW, on my re-try three nights ago, the center swivel, where it attaches to the mask came loose after about 6 hours and fell into the mask. Now the mask is in my "old CPAP draw." But I'd say that the average leak rate at a pressure of 12/8 was about 45 LPM.

Well, we'll see how the Zzz does as an emergency back-up for when I have a respiratory infection. My back won't tolerate another night of me sitting up, and my gut and hips won't tolerate another Bipap-less night if I'm lying down.

Just received it, and I've come to the conclusion that the designers of this mask don't have a clue about long, narrow faces. The medium is the right length, but too wide. The small might have been the right width, but too short.

The head gear is likewise NOT designed for someone with long hair. I think, however, that I have rigged it and cross rigged it so it is less likely to leak. I have warned my husband to expect weird, rude bloorping noises tonight.

I know there are many folks who swear by full face masks. I can tell anyone right now that if full-face were the only choice, I'd've been a CPAP drop out the first week.

[N6CRV]

Hello, when I first got the Zzz it worked great as I also have a thin and long face. I got the Med and it would seal fine. But after about a month the Silicone that does the sealing got hard and even started showing some tears at the nose bridge part. They need to sell replacement parts not just the complete mask.
Don