Ultra Mirage FF mask with pressure of 18

[Big Stevoreno]

I started using my first FF mask last November 2010 since I've been on CPAP which dates back to 1999. My current CPAP pressure is 18. It will soon be time to contact Apria Healthcare to get a new FF mask with headgear. I haven't decided if I want to stay with the Resmed Ultra Mirage FF mask which I have right now or to try a different brand and model of FF mask with headgear. I've looked at all of the other FF masks including headgear on CPAP.com, can anyone who has a CPAP pressure of 18 or greater recommend a different brand and model of FF mask and headgear to go with this go around other than selecting another Resmed Ultra Mirage FF mask with headgear?



Big Stevoreno
Biloxi, MS
04/26/11

[amos]

Steve,

I do not use a FF mask so I can not advise you on your choice. I just wanted to jump in and say "Hello" to an old friend. Hope all is well with you.

amos

[Big Stevoreno]

Is that Famous Amos from Atlanta, GA? How you doing? I've been moving along, trying to get use to using a FF mask since I'm a bad mouth breather. Glad to hear from you Amos.




Big Stevoreno
Biloxi, MS
04/26/11

[DoriC]

Any reasons why you want to try another mask if this one is working for you at your pressure? Are your leaks under control, how's your AHI? My husband has been using the UMFF almost from the beginning and he does well with it so if it ain't broke....!

[Big Stevoreno]

Any reasons why you want to try another mask if this one is working for you at your pressure? Are your leaks under control, how's your AHI? My husband has been using the UMFF almost from the beginning and he does well with it so if it ain't broke....!

I thought I would try one with a chin guard because I'm still having bad mouth breathing issues and dry mouth problems. What's the name of that mouthwash some on this board use to help prevent dry mouth problems during the night? Do you know? So hubby uses the same mask that I'm currently using? What's the difference between the mask I'm currently using and Resmed's Ultra Mirage "Quattro(sp?) if you know? Thanks for your post.



Big Stevoreno
Biloxi, MS
04/27/11

[DoriC]

Biotene?. Have you experimented with the humidifier? Do you have allergies, sinus problems? There's lots of tips here about controlling those issues. How's your leaks? Do you have software? I know, lots of questions! The Quattro and UM are similar but have a different design. It seems to be that those who have success with one don't do as well with the other.

[Big Stevoreno]

Biotene?. Have you experimented with the humidifier? Do you have allergies, sinus problems? There's lots of tips here about controlling those issues. How's your leaks? Do you have software? I know, lots of questions! The Quattro and UM are similar but have a different design. It seems to be that those who have success with one don't do as well with the other.

Biotene, yes and where can you buy it? At any drugstore? Do I have allergies? Don't know. Do I have sinus problems? Yes, big time, take Claritin 10MG once a day and use Nasonex nasal spray. I have a deviated septum(sp?) on my left side. Do I have software for my machine? No I do not. Do I have leaks? I would think so because many times during the night my mask will work up making this horrible hissing sound, I have to keep pulling it back down to my chin to reseal. I feel like I'm also beginning to get some dry eye issues from air blowing up into my eyes at night so I'm back on my Restasis eye drops twice a day. You say your hubby uses the UMFF mask, can he feel air coming out of the top of the mask near the adjustable plastic head piece? Does your hubby wear an O2 recorder on his finger at night to record his O2 levels? Thanks again.




Big Stevoreno
Biloxi, MS
04/27/11

[Pugsy]

Walmart has Biotene. Probably available at any larger drugstore, I just always go to Walmart so unsure how available it is at the other stores. It is in the mouthwash section of Walmart though. I have seen it there.

[DoriC]

It sounds like either your mask is not the right size or maybe you haven't adjusted the forehead angle for the best fit. We have the angle one up from the bottom but we had to experiment until we found a comfortable position and that didn't leak. We don't use an 02 oximeter but our Dr ordered an overnight study awhile back and he was in the 90's. I find the software essential to know how the trend is going and if any tweaking is necessary. That's what I'm trying to do right now because his AHI has increased for some reason after being stable for a long time.

[Big Stevoreno]

It sounds like either your mask is not the right size or maybe you haven't adjusted the forehead angle for the best fit. We have the angle one up from the bottom but we had to experiment until we found a comfortable position and that didn't leak. We don't use an 02 oximeter but our Dr ordered an overnight study awhile back and he was in the 90's. I find the software essential to know how the trend is going and if any tweaking is necessary. That's what I'm trying to do right now because his AHI has increased for some reason after being stable for a long time.

I've been around for awhile on this board but refresh my memory, what is "AHI"? I have the straps both at the top and the bottom adjusted pretty tight as well as that plastic forehead feature which I also like adjusted. If I adjust that plastic forehead feature wrong air will literally blow into my eyes which isn't good for my dry eyes. I asked you if any air could be felt blowing out of the top of your hubby's mask if you held your hand directly above that adjustable plastic forehead feature, can your hubby feel air blowing out there? I forgot to ask Apria's RT about that air blowing there last year, is the mask venting off CO2 there or something?

[DoriC]

AHI= Apnea-Hypopnea-Index, it's the total of AI and HI per hour for the night. Ideally, this number should be <5.0 to reflect satisfactory therapy but most people feel better with a lower number. You shouldn't be feeling any air leaking into your eyes or coming out the top of the mask, the CO2 is exhausted out the little rubber vent with the holes in it. The straps shouldn't be too tight as he cushion needs to expand to fill with air. The upper straps should just barely be touching your forehead and the bottom ones should be snug but not too tight and fit into the groove in your chin under your bottom lip. Sometimes if I feel a little leak along the sides I pull the mask away from the face and gently set it down again to allow the cushion to expand and resettle. Once you've found the right forehead angle you shouldn't have to adjust it again. Hope that helps.

[Big Stevoreno]

AHI= Apnea-Hypopnea-Index, it's the total of AI and HI per hour for the night. Ideally, this number should be <5.0 to reflect satisfactory therapy but most people feel better with a lower number. You shouldn't be feeling any air leaking into your eyes or coming out the top of the mask, the CO2 is exhausted out the little rubber vent with the holes in it. The straps shouldn't be too tight as he cushion needs to expand to fill with air. The upper straps should just barely be touching your forehead and the bottom ones should be snug but not too tight and fit into the groove in your chin under your bottom lip. Sometimes if I feel a little leak along the sides I pull the mask away from the face and gently set it down again to allow the cushion to expand and resettle. Once you've found the right forehead angle you shouldn't have to adjust it again. Hope that helps.

Thanks for that post. What you basically said is the main reason I want to try another FF mask since the one I'm currently using, the Resmed UM FF mask is my very first one.

[Big Stevoreno]

AHI= Apnea-Hypopnea-Index, it's the total of AI and HI per hour for the night. Ideally, this number should be <5.0 to reflect satisfactory therapy but most people feel better with a lower number. You shouldn't be feeling any air leaking into your eyes or coming out the top of the mask, the CO2 is exhausted out the little rubber vent with the holes in it. The straps shouldn't be too tight as he cushion needs to expand to fill with air. The upper straps should just barely be touching your forehead and the bottom ones should be snug but not too tight and fit into the groove in your chin under your bottom lip. Sometimes if I feel a little leak along the sides I pull the mask away from the face and gently set it down again to allow the cushion to expand and resettle. Once you've found the right forehead angle you shouldn't have to adjust it again. Hope that helps.

Thanks for that post. What you basically said is the main reason I want to try another FF mask since the one I'm currently using, the Resmed UM FF mask is my very first one.

[jmcsmomma]

It sounds like either your mask is not the right size or maybe you haven't adjusted the forehead angle for the best fit. We have the angle one up from the bottom but we had to experiment until we found a comfortable position and that didn't leak. We don't use an 02 oximeter but our Dr ordered an overnight study awhile back and he was in the 90's. I find the software essential to know how the trend is going and if any tweaking is necessary. That's what I'm trying to do right now because his AHI has increased for some reason after being stable for a long time.

I've been around for awhile on this board but refresh my memory, what is "AHI"? I have the straps both at the top and the bottom adjusted pretty tight as well as that plastic forehead feature which I also like adjusted. If I adjust that plastic forehead feature wrong air will literally blow into my eyes which isn't good for my dry eyes. I asked you if any air could be felt blowing out of the top of your hubby's mask if you held your hand directly above that adjustable plastic forehead feature, can your hubby feel air blowing out there? I forgot to ask Apria's RT about that air blowing there last year, is the mask venting off CO2 there or something?

Yep, that's a vent. That was the first mask I had, and I traded for a 431. I do know that the mask you have isn't supposed to be tight, it's supposed to "float" on your face.

[Big Stevoreno]

It sounds like either your mask is not the right size or maybe you haven't adjusted the forehead angle for the best fit. We have the angle one up from the bottom but we had to experiment until we found a comfortable position and that didn't leak. We don't use an 02 oximeter but our Dr ordered an overnight study awhile back and he was in the 90's. I find the software essential to know how the trend is going and if any tweaking is necessary. That's what I'm trying to do right now because his AHI has increased for some reason after being stable for a long time.

I've been around for awhile on this board but refresh my memory, what is "AHI"? I have the straps both at the top and the bottom adjusted pretty tight as well as that plastic forehead feature which I also like adjusted. If I adjust that plastic forehead feature wrong air will literally blow into my eyes which isn't good for my dry eyes. I asked you if any air could be felt blowing out of the top of your hubby's mask if you held your hand directly above that adjustable plastic forehead feature, can your hubby feel air blowing out there? I forgot to ask Apria's RT about that air blowing there last year, is the mask venting off CO2 there or something?

Yep, that's a vent. That was the first mask I had, and I traded for a 431. I do know that the mask you have isn't supposed to be tight, it's supposed to "float" on your face.

Do you like your 431? Do you have a high CPAP pressure like mine? Are you a mouth breather and if you are does the inside of your mouth, tongue, etc. get real dry during the night while using your 431?