Opus 360 user seeks backup mask for nasal congestion nights

[sleepwellmylove]

My DH just started with the Opus 360 mask last night, and so far so good. Combined with a S9 APAP, it seemed to provide a good seal and quiet operation.

When the RT was here, DH requested a mask that covered just his nose and did not have a piece that sits on his forehead, since he has been uncomfortable with forehead pieces in the past. The RT said she was not aware of a mask that fit this description, but I know I have seen them online recently, so I am hoping someone here could point us in the right direction. DH sleeps on his back or his side and seemed to do well with the Opus 360 hose-up-the-center style for the tubing, which allowed him to shift sleeping positions during the night without losing the seal. Although sinus issue aren't generally a concern for him, everyone gets the occasional head cold, so I would like to find a backup mask for him to use in a situation where the Opus 360 nasal pillows wouldn't be a viable option.

Many thanks for creating this valuable resource for XPAP users, and my appreciation to whomever considers responding to this post. Sweet dreams.

[Pugsy]

There are several full face masks without the forehead piece.

Since he is used to nasal pillows the Innomed/Respcare Hybrid could be an option. ResMed offers similar style called the Liberty.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

The Quattro FX also does not have the forehead piece.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

Also this one
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... dgear.html
same one with all sizes of cushions
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -pack.html

As with any mask some work for one person and not another. Some Liberty users don't do well with the Innomed Hybrid and vice versa.

[sleepwellmylove]

There are several full face masks without the forehead piece.

Thanks, Pugsy. It looks like some of the ones you listed have nasal pillows. Is that correct? If so, he is looking for a style without pillows (for the rare head cold when he can't breathe through his nose adequately, in which case it seems nasal pillows wouldn't work. He wants one without a forehead piece and without a mouth covering. Does anyone make one like that?

[cflame1]

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... dgear.html

are you thinking maybe about this one?

It's hard to not have a mouth covering if you can't breathe through your nose.

[archangle]

When the RT was here, DH requested a mask that covered just his nose and did not have a piece that sits on his forehead.

I'm not sure what you mean here. "Covered just his nose" sounds like you want a nasal mask without pillows and no forehead piece. Is that what you want? There are several masks that fit that description.

If you're wanting something for nasal congestion nights, you'll need a full face, oral, or hybrid mask with no forehead strap.

Are you looking for two different masks?

Just look at cpap.com or some of the other sites and look at the masks they show.

[Pugsy]

It looks like some of the ones you listed have nasal pillows. Is that correct? If so, he is looking for a style without pillows (for the rare head cold when he can't breathe through his nose adequately, in which case it seems nasal pillows wouldn't work. He wants one without a forehead piece and without a mouth covering. Does anyone make one like that?

If he has bad nasal congestion he might not be able to breathe through the nose and the ones I showed are what we call full face masks and allow for mouth breathing. They either use the nasal pillow with the mouth covered or simply cover the whole nose and mouth area. These types are what most people will use if they had a really bad cold or allergies.

Yes they make over the nose masks that leave the mouth uncovered but if there is really bad nasal congestion how would he get the therapy air? He would be in same boat as with current Opus nasal pillows.
https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks/nasal-cpap-mask.php You can take a stroll through these. Most will have the forehead piece but there are a few that simply cover the nose and don't use the forehead support.

Now I will say that I use the nasal pillows. I have for 2 years. I have had maybe 2 colds and the associated nasal congestion. I still used the nasal pillows. I just turned up the humidifier for added moisture (remember how nose clears up with a cold in a hot shower) and took a decongestant and slept about as well as I could expect with a cold. I found that the air and moisture actually helped clear up the congestion. Everyone is different of course but I didn't really have all that much difficulty just using my normal mask. I don't even own a full face mask.

But if someone is so congested that that simply cannot breathe through the nose then a full face mask is needed to allow for the therapy air to enter the airway via the mouth. An over the nose only mask (called nasal mask) won't work any better than the nasal pillows.

[greg-g]

When I first started xPAP a year ago I also considered getting a full face mask for those nasal congestion nights, but after following threads on this site I decided that maybe it wasn't necessary.
I've now had a few colds including one with significant nasal congestions but have found the additional pressure has been able to keep at least one nostril open.

[Janknitz]

I think you're simply asking for a FF mask that doesn't have a head support ,right?

The new Quattro FX will fit the bill, IF it fits and works for him. He might want to get one and try to learn to fit it and sleep with it BEFORE he gets a cold or sinus issues, so he will be able to "rest assured" knowing it's there for him when and if he needs it.

[sleepwellmylove]

Now I will say that I use the nasal pillows. I have for 2 years. I have had maybe 2 colds and the associated nasal congestion. I still used the nasal pillows. I just turned up the humidifier for added moisture (remember how nose clears up with a cold in a hot shower) and took a decongestant and slept about as well as I could expect with a cold. I found that the air and moisture actually helped clear up the congestion. Everyone is different of course but I didn't really have all that much difficulty just using my normal mask. I don't even own a full face mask.

Pugsy, this makes a lot of sense to me. Instead of changing to something other than nasal pillows, just take a decongestant. After all, he hardly ever gets colds and is blessed not to have any allergy issues. Thanks.

[sleepwellmylove]

When the RT was here, DH requested a mask that covered just his nose and did not have a piece that sits on his forehead.

I'm not sure what you mean here. "Covered just his nose" sounds like you want a nasal mask without pillows and no forehead piece. Is that what you want? There are several masks that fit that description.

Yes, that is what he said. He doesn't want his mouth covered. And he also does not want a forehead piece. He's had masks like that in the past and they really aggravated him. I have looked through cpap.com and identified some nasal (non-pillows) masks. I was just seeking feedback from forum users on particular models of nasal masks and whether you found that they still worked when, for example, you had a head cold.

This would be a backup mask with the nasal pillows mask being his regular mask preference. Thanks.

[archangle]

You know, it's strange. In 7 years of CPAPing, I can't remember ever being so congested that I couldn't CPAP with my ComfortGel nasal mask. (Which does have a forehead piece, by the way.)

Even when I am somewhat congested, once I sit down in the recliner I sleep in and turn on the CPAP, I usually clear up enough to CPAP. I have sometimes used some Astelin, Rhinacort, or Sinus Rinse to help.