If you had to choose between these 2

[pdean44]

I am trying to decide on what my next mask experiment will be come mid summer when I am up for a new mask.

My dme supplier I believe carries the Resmed brands so I think my choices are limited to them if I am to go through them.

What I am considering the Mirage Liberty or the Quattro FX.

I am definitely a mouth breather. Which one would you recommend and why?

I currently use the Quattro FFM with a pressure of 13


I seem to be struggling with a higher leak rate than I would like to see and higher apneas. I think i can do better and am constantly striving to do so.

[sol]

Definitely not the Quattro FX it did not works for me and the sizes was problem the medium was tight and the large too loose ,so did not had much luck with it .
Mirage liberty is a FF nasal pillow mask which have used for short while as it was on loan ,get good seal ,no leaks ,easy to keep on and as your pressure at 13 you should have no problem but would recommend that you should try it first or get the insurance with it from cpap.com as you can exchange it if you did not get along with it .
cheers

[pdean44]

ok thanks for the feed back

[Jessica N.]

Greetings!

There is not one mask that will work great for every person. I know this, as I have worked in the Sleep Industry for nearly 5 years. I work for an HME/DME and do several CPAP/Bilevel setup's a week and I utilize SEVERAL brands (ie. Resmed, Respironics, Devilbiss, Hans Rudolph, F&P, Circadience, etc.. the list rolls on and on) to find the right mask fit for every patient.

The Quattro FX is new on the market within the last couple months. When it was first released there were sizing issues. Headgear was "one size" and fit VERY small compared to the normal headgear on their highly rated original Quattro FFM. There were also sizing issues with the cushion, which both issues have been worked out and the line has been re-released with corrected sizing. I have been finding that my patients who would have typically been a Medium in the original Quattro FFM, are now a small. The new Quattro FX is not made to hit on the bridge of the nose where the original Quattro FFM did. It is made to hit MID BRIDGE. The cushion is NOT the same as the Quattro FFM original either. It is still a molded, dual layer silicone, but it has a thicker and more firm underlay which has been a plus for my patients who have successfully used it. I personally trial all our new masks. I trialed this mask for 5-6 nights on pressures varying from 9-20cmH20. Even on 20, this mask did wonderful. With every mask, you have to make adjustments as you change position during the night. Without the forehead piece on the Quattro FX it is easier for the mask to manipulate and form to the face without having to strap it down to aweful tight. I have several Bilevel patients using this mask (one's pressure is 24/20) and they are having success. A tip w/ the FX--- Adjust the bottom before the top. The mask moves greatly when it comes to seal adjustment. Typically, you can have the top 2 straps significantly more loose and you will only need to adjust the bottom straps!

If you only have leak right at the bridge of the nose because of the loss of stabilization from no forehead T-piece, ask your DME about Resmed's (new) "Gecko nasal pads." They were formerly called "Comfort Care Pads," and were distributed by Sequal technologies but Resmed recently bought the right and are now distributing the product. This also helps with irritation and break down. It is a billable item under your insurance. The catch is this though: You can either have 1 Full Face Cushion for your mask per month or 2(Yes TWO!) Gecko nasal pads per month. So if you get the mask and like it, try it for 1 month. Then on the 2nd month, don't get a replacement cushion, get 2 Gecko nasal pads and see what you think.

The Resmed Mirage Liberty mask is a good mask as well. The headgear tends to be a little on the stiff side, and some patients complain they dislike it if they are side sleepers due to the cumbersome headgear and frame. I personally am not a big fan of this mask, BUT the patients that it does work for, it works great. Due to the nasal pillows/frame/and oral cushion all being attached in one though, the nasal pillows tend to dislodge out from their sealed nasal position if you are a "tosser and turner." The positive is that if you have glasses, you can def wear them with this mask to read, do your crossword or whatever you may wanting to do (you should be sleeping ... Make sure your DME bills this mask correctly if you go with this one, as it is a common mistake for Therapists to code their tickets incorrectly on this mask and cause more cost to the patient.

Here's another tip, if interested. Resmed provides DME's with a "30 day guarantee." They do this so DME's can extend great services onto their patients. What this means is. You try a mask (ie. Liberty) for 0-30 days. Say on day 23 you decide that the Liberty is just not working out for you and you are dissatisfied. You can go back to your DME with that mask and tell them you would like to utilize Resmed's 30 day mask guarantee program. You return the Liberty, then have a Therapist fit you for a Quattro FX. Your DME CANNOT BILL YOU FOR A SECOND MASK. The DME is reimbursed for the first mask by filling out Resmed's "30 day mask exchange guarantee form," which they can get from there Resmed Representative. I utilize this program with my patients at time of setup and again if they want to venture to another mask when they are due for an entire system every 6 months. It is not illegal, immoral, or anything else. It's great patient care and gives you, the patient, more of an option.

Everyone is different, and the previous commenter is in the right to state he didn't like it. Not one mask is for everyone, if it was that easy... my job would be a lot simpler

I hope this helps, even in the slightest bit.

Cheers and good sleeping

-Jessica N.-

[pdean44]

Thanks appreciate the info. I like to do a lot of research before selecting a mask. I have been at this for a year now and can attest to the fact that finding the right mask is the hardest part of this therapy. I may give the fx a shot . I have been able to get the quattro to work and it would be nice to have the same coverage with a mask that is more comfortable. the reports on sizings and other issues with the head strap i followed pretty closely as this all unfolded with the comments made here from folks using the mask. I have been leaning towards the fx. The large amount of negative feedback has been a concern.