choosing a mask

[cortez356]

It looks like I may be getting an APAP machine this week. I would like some help in choosing a mask. I was looking at the selection Cpap.com and the hybrid looks like a good choice. They show one at least that has an adjustable size. I do not have the luxury of going into a store and trying on masks. Is that a good choice. I am noit a mouth breather. Have a beard and my nose is long. Other tha n that no special requirements. This whole CPAP thing is still an experiment and so I would like to keep the cost down. If after a month I am sleeping better and my SP02 levels are normal I will invest in whatever I need to be healthy. I am not claustrophobic but would like something that is not too intrusive ( I guess I am dreaming!). Any help appreciated. One other quick question: If you have to get up at night what do you do? Remove the mask? Shut off the machine and pull the hose off either end? Or?

Thanks

Bob

[jnk]

It looks like I may be getting an APAP machine this week. I would like some help in choosing a mask. I was looking at the selection Cpap.com and the hybrid looks like a good choice. They show one at least that has an adjustable size. I do not have the luxury of going into a store and trying on masks. Is that a good choice. I am noit a mouth breather. Have a beard and my nose is long. Other tha n that no special requirements. This whole CPAP thing is still an experiment and so I would like to keep the cost down. If after a month I am sleeping better and my SP02 levels are normal I will invest in whatever I need to be healthy. I am not claustrophobic but would like something that is not too intrusive ( I guess I am dreaming!). Any help appreciated. One other quick question: If you have to get up at night what do you do? Remove the mask? Shut off the machine and pull the hose off either end? Or?

Thanks

Bob

Mask selection can often be a trial-and-error process as you find the best mask for YOU, so my suggestion is that I would spring for the mask insurance when buying that mask from cpap.com, if it were me. It's a great service and is there for a reason for those trying out a mask for the first time. I think insurance is usually a reasonable price for that mask, too.

May your experiment go well.

Most shut off the machine and take the mask off. The mask is easy to take off and put back on. It becomes second nature, like remembering not to bump your toe on the foot at the end of the bed. You may find you don't need to get up at night at all once PAP therapy is going well for you. I found that to be the case for me, anyway. Which is good, since I always hit my toe on the foot of the bed.

[kempo]

I use the FX nose pillow. If I get up during the night I turn off the machine, pull the short hose connection out of the large hose cuff, take care of business, reconnect the hoses, and turn machine back on.

Once I get a good seal on the nose pillows I don't like to take the mask off.

I would give the FX a try. Good luck with your therapy.

[trip68]

All I can say is good luck. Everyone has a different nose, chin, mouth and gap in between.
I have tried three and keep going back to the Resmed Mirage Quattro.
I tried the Hybrid, and it leaked and also dried out my nose. I tried the full face (Welders mask) and it leaked as well.
Keep going back to the Resmed Mirage Quattro.

It takes some trial and error to find a mask, and even when you do, you still have to adjust and fidgit with it.
But the payoff is great in return. I have started to feel my best in just two weeks and they say it will just get better.

Good luck on the mask/nasal pillows/etc. I hope you find one that works soon.

[Muse-Inc]

Get the RespCare Hybrid Universal as it has more sizing options than the ResMed Liberty. Lotta of us here wear the Hybrid. Comfortable too and the security of knowing you're not losing precious therapy air! With all the sizing, some take a bit of time to get the right fit...watch the online video or the CD it comes with. Many of us end up rigging a third strap to anchor the pillows, see tips here viewtopic.php?t=14422&highlight=

I have severe clasutrophobia and fear of suffocation and needed to go to a FFM, the Hybrid was my choice and I've never regretted it. I have the Liberty too but I can't make it not leak, just does not fit my face.

[kirstena]

It looks like I may be getting an APAP machine this week. I would like some help in choosing a mask. I was looking at the selection Cpap.com and the hybrid looks like a good choice. They show one at least that has an adjustable size. I do not have the luxury of going into a store and trying on masks. Is that a good choice. I am noit a mouth breather. Have a beard and my nose is long. Other tha n that no special requirements. This whole CPAP thing is still an experiment and so I would like to keep the cost down. If after a month I am sleeping better and my SP02 levels are normal I will invest in whatever I need to be healthy. I am not claustrophobic but would like something that is not too intrusive ( I guess I am dreaming!). Any help appreciated. One other quick question: If you have to get up at night what do you do? Remove the mask? Shut off the machine and pull the hose off either end? Or?

Thanks

Bob

Hi Bob -

I've got one of each, the Fisher & Paykel Opus 360 nasal pillows one and the Liberty hybrid. I only recently started with CPAP and the Opus was the first one I tried. Normally I'm a mouth breather, but a friend who's a respiratory therapist and Bipap user suggested that I wouldn't need to breathe through my mouth once I was getting enough air. Turns out she was right: after the first couple nights, I stopped waking up with my mouth hissing. Then my allergies started acting up and my nose got stuffy. I went and got the Liberty in case I couldn't move enough air through my nose. I actually like the pillows better on the Liberty - they're softer and more flexible. And the Liberty worked - when I was too stuffy, I opened my mouth and got enough air. But I don't think I want to use the Liberty all the time. The Opus is lighter and the straps don't need to be on as tight. Also, it doesn't get rubbed out of place on the pillow, like the Liberty did last night (and then it leaked). Then there's the sensation of waking up after a night with the Liberty with my mouth dried out and my tongue stuck to my teeth...I'd rather not.

So, to address your questions - I think the Opus is less intrusive and more comfortable than the Liberty (and it comes with three sizes of pillows to try), and I almost never have to get up in the night but when I do I take the mask off and shut the machine off. If I'm wearing the Liberty, I can't get it back on if the air is on.

Good luck!

[cortez356]

I am really not a newby but rather an almost be so my knowedge is very limited. I watched the video for the Devillbiss HYB500 mask and it appears to be a well constructed device. To show how little I know about CPAP why is there both a nose and mouth mask. If you breathe thru your nose why do you need a mask over your mouth. The same could be said for a full face mask. Please enlighten me.

Thanks

Bob

[cflame1]

if you leak air out of your mouth then the air that's going in your nose won't help you any