Buying a Full Face Mask...

[roster]

IMO, there is too much of two things on the forum.

1. Many people who are in denial that they need a FF mask. Just get on with it, try out several, make sure the mask is fitted properly, and take the time to learn how to use it, sleep with it, and keep the leaks down.

2. Many people who have a negative stereotype that FF masks are uncomfortable and always leak.

Unfortunately people who fall into these two categories are offering advice to newbies and thereby perpetuating denial and incorrect stereotyping. If you have a suboptimal therapy because you fall into one (more likely both) of the above categories, think twice about giving advice to a newbie that may doom him to a suboptimal therapy.

CPAP isn't easy to execute and the results are seldom ideal; I pray for something revolutionary to replace it. But in the meantime, it is the only thing we have to keep us sane and healthy.

[timbalionguy]

I seem to find that I am congested to some degree most of the time. But when I put on the mask and apply pressure, BOOM! the congestion is gone. Instantly. I have no explanation for this.

As far as the ramp thing goes, I will suggest something counter-intuitive that may or may not work.... Turn the ramp off, and start with your full pressure. This might take some getting used to, but a number of people here have reported this helped.

You might also consider trying the hybrid full face mask. It uses a combination of nasal pillows and a mouth mask. It has a flap on the bottom (that many people here cut off) that supports your chin and limits how far you can open your mouth. The hybrid mask also has a complex headgear arrangement with extra adjustability. It also comes with all sizes of mouth seal, and all sizes of nasal pillows.

I started out with the Quattro, which is a fine FF mask, and fit well, and worked well. It is also very comfortable. But, with my oily complexion, it eventually leaks like a seive and I have to stop and clean it (and my face) in the middle of each night. But after using the hybrid mask for a few nights, and getting the nasal pillows set right, I find it equally comfortable. And it leaks a whole lot less. And when it does leak, the leaks tend to be less severe than the Quattro. So, it looks like the hybrid will be my long term mask.....at least for now!

[Pugsy]

Rooster if your reply about newbies and denial was aimed at me then I will just state that not everyone wants to give up after a week of treatment and go to a FF mask. Do I "need" a FF mask? I don't think so. I seemed to have conquered my issues and now having good stats and feeling much better. It took me 10 days to get there. Not long at all. I have some very physical reasons for not being able to tolerate the straps on either the nasal or FF masks. Been all through that with my DME guy. FF masks are not the cure all for everyone's problem.

Other suggestions were offered to OP besides just trying to make the nasal mask work. What harm does it do to try any of those before attempting to buy a FF mask? Maybe it is simply a matter of allowing a longer ramp time? OP was wondering about pillows. What harm does it do to share experiences? It's not my place to tell anyone what they absolutely should or should not do. I don't believe that I did either of those things. Everyone has the right to digest information and ideas and ultimately make their own choices on what they want to do. This is what taking charge of our own therapy means.

If your comments about newbies and denial were not aimed at me, then I apologize for mentioning this in this manner. You have your right to your opinion just as I do mine.

[roster]

Rooster if your reply about newbies and denial ..........

Pugs,

My forum philosophy is simple. When I start firing, anything that moves is in danger.

Step 1. Fire
Step 2. Aim
Step 3. Ready



Rooster
CPAP: No protection from those armed with a keyboard.

[LaurieJ31981]

So I tried out the machine again last night, and I was up until 4am because I was out, and figured i'd be so exhausted that I'd fall right to sleep no matter what... well I did... but not for long. I guess I need to just stop panicking and stop taking the mask off and deal with it...

My only issue is my mouth, I tried the suggestion I seen about cutting a leg off of pantyhose and making that is a chin strap, i still opened my lips and wanted to breathe out of my mouth...

I will keep at it tonight and try my best to not take the mask off... but I am calling my sleep Dr. on Monday just to see if she suggests I ask for a replacement mask and try the full faced one... I am getting no treatment this way and I know I need to be..

Thanks everyone for all the replies and help, its greatly appreciated... I am glad I have a place to go to when I need support or help

[roster]

.... but I am calling my sleep Dr. on Monday just to see if she suggests I ask for a replacement mask and try the full faced one... ......

Good plan.
Good luck,

[40Winkys]

I can't believe this conversation is going on...

I have been a cpap user for about 8 years now. a REMstarPlus M series C-Flex w/nasal mask. I know I have been long overdue in ordering a new mask...In thee past 3 weeks, I have had flu-like symptoms. Imagine my surprise when I went on line and pulled up info for a full-face mask:

[i]About 40 percent of people who use a CPAP machine and just about all BiLevel machine users lose pressure directly from the mouth. This happens usually through leaks from the mouth or via mouth breathing while wearing a nasal mask. The resulting loss in pressure may bring about flu-like characteristics, inadequate sleep therapy, and disrupted sleep. Since the Ultra Mirage full face mask covers both the nose and mouth it prevents pressure loss from mouth breathing thereby improving both your comfort and your sleep therapy.

The Ultra Mirage full face mask is a great solution if you have frequent nasal congestion or it can be useful to have on hand in case you catch a cold or have bothersome allergies. [/i]

I RAN to my local store....bought a full-face mask (Actually the Invacare Twilight Full Face Mask)and just woke up from a 3 hour nap and feel GREAT. Buy the darn full face mask!!!

[roster]

Winky,

Sorry you suffered unnecessarily for so long.

Thanks for posting the nice testimonial.

[roster]

..........But after using the hybrid mask for a few nights, and getting the nasal pillows set right, I find it equally comfortable. And it leaks a whole lot less. And when it does leak, the leaks tend to be less severe than the Quattro. So, it looks like the hybrid will be my long term mask.....at least for now!

Timba,

Glad to hear the Hybrid works so well for you. IMO, it is an amazing mask and nearly leakproof if fitted and adjusted properly. I have been using the Hybrid since it was introduced in August 2006 with great success. I now sleep most of the night on my tummy and the mask still doesn't leak.

You mention that the Hybrid has a complex headgear with extra adjustability. For me, this was one of its strong points which allowed individual users to adapt the mask to a wide variety of facial shapes. Unfortunately for the designer and manufacturer, it may also be a weak point since many users do not want to take the time to get it adjusted properly.

For anyone who is interested, here are some tips for adjusting the Hybrid - viewtopic.php?t=14422&highlight= .

Best regards,

[LaurieJ31981]

I can't believe this conversation is going on...

I have been a cpap user for about 8 years now. a REMstarPlus M series C-Flex w/nasal mask. I know I have been long overdue in ordering a new mask...In thee past 3 weeks, I have had flu-like symptoms. Imagine my surprise when I went on line and pulled up info for a full-face mask:

[i]About 40 percent of people who use a CPAP machine and just about all BiLevel machine users lose pressure directly from the mouth. This happens usually through leaks from the mouth or via mouth breathing while wearing a nasal mask. The resulting loss in pressure may bring about flu-like characteristics, inadequate sleep therapy, and disrupted sleep. Since the Ultra Mirage full face mask covers both the nose and mouth it prevents pressure loss from mouth breathing thereby improving both your comfort and your sleep therapy.

The Ultra Mirage full face mask is a great solution if you have frequent nasal congestion or it can be useful to have on hand in case you catch a cold or have bothersome allergies. [/i]

I RAN to my local store....bought a full-face mask (Actually the Invacare Twilight Full Face Mask)and just woke up from a 3 hour nap and feel GREAT. Buy the darn full face mask!!!

Thanks for posting this! Everyone I know started with a full face mask and are doing great with their therapy... I definitely want the option to try the full face mask then make my decision.

[Wulfman]

IMO, there is too much of two things on the forum.

1. Many people who are in denial that they need a FF mask. Just get on with it, try out several, make sure the mask is fitted properly, and take the time to learn how to use it, sleep with it, and keep the leaks down.

2. Many people who have a negative stereotype that FF masks are uncomfortable and always leak.

Unfortunately people who fall into these two categories are offering advice to newbies and thereby perpetuating denial and incorrect stereotyping. If you have a suboptimal therapy because you fall into one (more likely both) of the above categories, think twice about giving advice to a newbie that may doom him to a suboptimal therapy.

CPAP isn't easy to execute and the results are seldom ideal; I pray for something revolutionary to replace it. But in the meantime, it is the only thing we have to keep us sane and healthy.

Ditto. Thanks for posting that, Rooster.

I knew my limitations even before my sleep study and have ONLY used a full face mask through all of this. Like some people have a "thing" about (not) wearing a full face mask, I had reservations about having something stuck in my nose when I was trying to sleep. I knew I was a mouth-breather so, there was no sense in compromising my therapy with an interface that I knew wouldn't work for me. To me, using all the stuff that would keep my mouth shut would make me more claustrophobic than just wearing the full face mask. And, YES, some things DO make me claustrophobic. With the full face mask, it never was too bad because once the air starts blowing in my face, I'm OK and go right to sleep.

One of the things that the nasal mask devotees don't often talk about is that many/most of them also have a full face mask in a drawer for those times when they have a cold or are congested.


Den

[40Winkys]

Can a full face mask make you feel claustrophobic? Maybe. But what about cutting up panty hose and tying them around your chin? Honestly, being new to this site, I had never heard that before and the visual in my mind is sooo much worse than the visual of a full mask! Very kinky!

I've had both...the nasal is more comfortable, however the full face really does work.

[LaurieJ31981]

From everyone I work with that has Sleep Apnea, they were all confused as to why a Dr. would basically force someone to learn how to breathe all over through their nose, when a simple fix is a full face mask, in which they all have. Some people take better to the nasal mask, I just don't feel comfortable with it... I am getting less sleep with the mask on then I do throughout the night when I stop breathing... This was all new to me so I thought the nasal mask was the only option especially when you go to the sleep study and they don't even show you, or have you try on a couple of different types of masks. I was soooo excited to finally start therapy and sleeping better, and I almost don't even want to go to bed now.

I'll update on Monday after I talk to the Dr. and if I get no help with that, then I am buying one on my own which in the long run may be cheaper, unless I am able to exchange the mask and pay an extra couple of dollars towards the copay they already had me pay...

[LaurieJ31981]

I DID IT!! Ugh after struggling for 2 nights, I kept it on for 4 hours last night! I went to bed really late so 3:30-7:30 went by quick, and I was having vivid dreams and everything. I didn't panic at all, at one point i felt a little uncomfortable but that didn't last long, I fell right to sleep... This time I sat up with it, and set the ramping for 10 mins, just so I didn't jump right into my 10.0, I watched some tv, let myself get used to the 10.0 and laid down and fell asleep... I don't feel like my mouth opened at all, I mean it was pretty dry this morning but not like normal...

However, I'd still like to try the full face mask and have it as a back up if I need it, or to use perm if I like it better...

[Pugsy]

Congrats and a big round of applause for your success. That is why that ramp feature is there for people to use to help get adjusted to the pressure.

And yes, sure wouldn't hurt to give the FF mask a try. You might like it better. Dry mouth more than usual may indicate mouth leaks or mouth breathing so FF mask would sure help there.

Good luck.