EOY FF recommendations

[TWW]

Okay, so it's the end-of-year part of the budget, and even the insurance lady suggested I should pick up some spares and consumables before the annual deductible resets. The mask and inserts, in particular, make sense.

Due to mouth breathing, I use a full face mask.

I have previously tried out the Full Life (very comfortable, but leaked), which I traded in for a Quattro (less comfortable, and leaked less). A month ago I traded the Quattro for an F&P Forma, which is less comfortable than either of the others, but which leaks little enough that it allowed me to make it through the only compliant nights I have had so far.

So I come to the question, in a couple of forms:

1. Are there any FF users who recommend a FF mask that I haven't tried yet?
2. Does anyone think I should go back to one of the other two, now that I have more experience? (Gosh, I would love it if the Full Life could work for me somehow!)
3. Or should I get an exact duplicate of what is currently working, and experiment later?

I plan to get at least one spare set of foam/silicone inserts for the Forma, and (if I am convinced to try another model) the other mask.

I also plan to get some wipes, although they aren't covered.

I won't be getting the software yet -- I'm too cheap, and I'm currently happy enough recording the daily-reset LCD display data in a spreadsheet.

Any other recommendations for end-of-year expenditures?

[Gerryk]

Find out what your insurance covers. Mine covers basically what medicare covers. If you do'nt have a spare hose, I would get one and get some replacement filters if your machine used the disposable ones, if not get a new non disposable one. Take what you can get from your insurance!
2 replacement cushions a month
1 new hose a month
1 new mask every three months
1 new headgear for mask every 6 months
1 new humidifier chamber every 6 months
I get new filters about every other month. I think my insurance allows 2 disposables a month.

Now, I don't get all of that every month. But I do have a few of each of the hoses, cushions and filters.


Gerry

[TWW]

Find out what your insurance covers. If you do'nt have a spare hose, I would get one and get some replacement filters if your machine used the disposable ones, if not get a new non disposable one.

thanks, Gerry.

My insurance (wife's, actually) covers everything at 90%. Hose, foam filters, and foam/silicone mask liner stuff, absolutely.

What I am particularly looking for here is advice on whether to experiment with another mask.

[Gerryk]

I use the quattro. I had a long journey getting to where I am now. I tried many many masks nasal and full face and I quit. I came back a little over four years later and tried several masks and the quattro was one of them.

A comfortable mask is important but a low leak level is important too. As far as leaks, I had problems just like others did. I finally read through the manufacturers instructions a few times then I sat in front of the mirror with the instructions out and put the mask on and took it off several times. I tried to do a little committing to muscle memory training for putting my mask on.
Once I did this my leak rate went way down. I also realized I didn't ask enough questions when I was trying the masks on with my DME. So ask anything you think of with the DME.


Now my suggestion for you. Talk to your DME and see if you can try that first mask that you found so comfortable. See if they will let you trade it in if you can't get it to fit properly. Then I would try the quattro again before going back to what you have now. Some DME's are very generous with mask trials and some aren't so generous, but it's worth a try.

Remember proper mask fitting will make or break a mask.

Gerry

[Muse-Inc]

Try the Hybrid, it's different than traditional FFMs, you might like it.
Come with 3 sizes of oral cushions and 3 sizes of pillows that can be set to 2 different heights -- pretty easy to get a good fit.

[timbalionguy]

First of all, ditto on what Muse-Inc says. I like my hybrid very much. Very comfortable, and I can deal with the leaks (more problems with leaks now that I have lost weight and am running higher pressures).

An other suggestion based on observation of others on this list would be the Ultra Mirage FFM. There seems to be a tendency that if the Quattro does not work for you, the UMFF does (and vice versa).

[dalemeyer]

Good Morning.

I have recently been converted from the Quattro to the Flex-Fit 431 & 432, to me both are more comfortable and leak less than the Quattro. The 432 however needs to be sized larger than the 431 as the foam insert dose not allow the silicon flap to compress as much on your mug thus the need for a larger size. Best of luck with De' Lure De' Mask.

dalemeyer

[roster]

I use the Hybrid mask almost exclusively. It has the smallest footprint of any FF mask. I even sleep on my tummy with the mask dug part of the way into the mattress.

[TWW]

I picked up a Quattro, essentially for $12 (goes back up to $120 when the deductible resets.)

Also a 10 foot hose, and a spare lining for my currently successful Forma mask. Although the lining is covered by Insurance, the glide-wire (the part that sets the F&P apart from the competition) is not, probably just because there's no category for it. I paid full price for a spare glide wire, as well as some non-alcohol wipes and a pair of strap fuzzies.

I admit it, I am blessed with a decent DME, coupled with my wife's excellent insurance.

Since I am having moderate success with the Forma (three consecutive nights at >5 hours' attachment), I will stick with it for another week at least -- conveniently, until my next followup visit to the sleep doc. I want to bring in a data card with a good trend.

Then I will start playing with the Quattro again.