FlexiFit HC431 vs Hans Rudolf mask?

[bbmiller]

Hello
I think I may need to try another mask since my mouth opens during sleep and then the totally broken seal causes my CPAP machine to blow like crazy which dries out my mouth. On another thread I was given two recommendations fullface mask with chin support, they were FlexiFit HC431 and the Hans Rudolf mask. I was wondering if anybody has experience with both these mass and have any opinions as to which is best. Which might be good for one face geometry versus another or anything else you could tell me about these masks.

[Mary Z]

I'm confused. In your equipment you list a quattro FFM. Do you perhaps need a larger size? What Is your presssure as this can be a consideration when choosing a mask.
Good Luck.

[bbmiller]

My nominal therapeutic pressure is 10. I let my automatic machine adjusts from 7 to 13. I have tried a large as opposed to my present medium and the medium is better.

[cflame1]

you can also try the "Hybrid" as it has a chin support

[ChelseaChestnut]

You can also try out the Zzz mask or sometimes it is called the Drive mask. I am doing well with it.

[bbmiller]

You can also try out the Zzz mask or sometimes it is called the Drive mask. I am doing well with it.

ZZZ mask sounds like it may fit very well and is certainly less expensive, but do you know something I do not know will its flexible material somehow prevent the opening of my mouth are gripping the bottom of it extra well without going underneath my chin?

[Komodo]

I have a Hans Rudolph. It is the MOST comfortable mask out there, IF.....if, if, if,if, if, it fits your face.

With me, if I lay flat on my back, and don't move, the mask is PERFECT! However, I do move, quit a bit, and the mask leaks like a sieve.

If you have no problem returning masks, I'd say to give it a try. If it works for YOU, you will definately LOVE the mask. BTW, the HR mask runs VERY large, get a smaller size than what you usually get.

[ChelseaChestnut]

You can also try out the Zzz mask or sometimes it is called the Drive mask. I am doing well with it.

ZZZ mask sounds like it may fit very well and is certainly less expensive, but do you know something I do not know will its flexible material somehow prevent the opening of my mouth are gripping the bottom of it extra well without going underneath my chin?

If it fits right, it should not go below your chin. Mine sits right on my chin. It is not totally flexible. It is firm, but not as firm as solid plastic that most masks are made of. I think it is supposed to sit in the little valley inbetween your chin and your lip, but I lower mine so that it is just resting on the tip of my nose and on my chin. If I don't, it leaks into my eyes. I am doing okay with this mask, but as someone else said, it has to fit. Everyone has a different face. Good Luck!

[bbmiller]

I have a Hans Rudolph. It is the MOST comfortable mask out there, IF.....if, if, if,if, if, it fits your face.

With me, if I lay flat on my back, and don't move, the mask is PERFECT! However, I do move, quit a bit, and the mask leaks like a sieve.

If you have no problem returning masks, I'd say to give it a try. If it works for YOU, you will definately LOVE the mask. BTW, the HR mask runs VERY large, get a smaller size than what you usually get.

I have some more Questions on FlexiFit HC431 vs Hans Rudolf mask? The quoted above responder stated Hans Rudolf mask was really good when it stayed in place. I generally sleep on my back all the way through the night, but last night I went to bed for a second time in which I did move around a little and my present mask did have a seal leaked the second time I went to sleep. Is there any full face mask FlexiFit or others which will resist leaking with sleep movement? Also on the Hans Rudolf mask it is said to be one piece does this mean it's a three month mask only or if you wash it regularly is it more durable than that? Another thing I noticed Hans Rudolf mask seems to use a large area. I am thinking perhaps this means the pressure of the mask against your face will be less to maintain seal. Is thereany relationship between surface area and pressure against your face needed for an air seal? I have read horror stories on these forums of people getting face ulcer caused by tightening their mask straps so tight as to stop leaks. When I went to sleep last night the tightness of my mask straps was just a little uncomfortable, but I was not leaking. I certainly wasn't creating face ulcers though does somebody have to get used to being just a little uncomfortable if they are to use a CPAP machine?

[kfowler]

I have a Hans Rudolph. It is the MOST comfortable mask out there, IF.....if, if, if,if, if, it fits your face.

With me, if I lay flat on my back, and don't move, the mask is PERFECT! However, I do move, quit a bit, and the mask leaks like a sieve.

If you have no problem returning masks, I'd say to give it a try. If it works for YOU, you will definately LOVE the mask. BTW, the HR mask runs VERY large, get a smaller size than what you usually get.

So if your a side sleeper you don't recomend this one?

[Komodo]

Also on the Hans Rudolf mask it is said to be one piece does this mean it's a three month mask only or if you wash it regularly is it more durable than that? Another thing I noticed Hans Rudolf mask seems to use a large area. I am thinking perhaps this means the pressure of the mask against your face will be less to maintain seal. Is thereany relationship between surface area and pressure against your face needed for an air seal?

I rarely use my Hans Rudolph, but it's as durable as any other mask, and should last well past three months.

The pressure of the mask against your face to make an air tight seal in minimal. You really don't need to tighten it that much at all.

[Komodo]

So if your a side sleeper you don't recomend this one?

Yes and no.

Just because the mask doesn't work for ME, doesn't mean it won't work for you.
If you can't EASILY return the mask if it doesn't work for you, then DON'T get it. From what I've seen, the mask doesn't work out for a lot of people. For those who it does, they all love it!

For me, the mask seals fine no matter what position I start sleeping in. It's the turning around in the middle of the night that shifts the mask all over the place, no matter how tight I have it on.

[KimberlyM]

I have just tried the Forma, which my RT told me is the same as the HC431 minus the foam. I don't know if I was sized wrong of if it is a feature of the mask, but I couldn't even open my mouth slightly with it on. It kept my mouth clamped shut, which defeats the purpose of a FFM in my opinion. I called in for a refit today. It seemed pretty leaky near the lower quadrants of my face where it narrows. I have high cheek bones, so fitting me might be different than someone with flatter features. Also, the valve in the elbow blew air profusely, which seems to be a common complaint. All that being said, if it would have fit well I would have kept it because I like the under-the-chin feature.

[cflame1]

a 431 doesn't have foam Kim... a 432 does.

[KimberlyM]

a 431 doesn't have foam Kim... a 432 does.

Right-maybe I explained that wrong. I have the Forma, which also has the foam like the 432. The RT said if I remove the foam from my Forma that it is the same thing as the HC431. I tried removing the foam, but it wouldn't seal well.