Review: Pad-A-Cheek Quattro FX Mask Liner

[dsm]

John (& anyone else who has used both masks)

I see you have moved from the Quattro to the Quattro FX. The FX has caught my eye of late & am contemplating the investment. Would you say it was a marginal improvement or a big improvement over your regular Quattro ?

Thanks

DSM

I've used both masks, and I am leaning towards liking the QFX better for best therapy. I get much better AHI readings with it.
The QFX doesn't move around for me (like it's done for some), but I will caution you that the headgear stretches out quite a bit,(after one month use) and I wound up having to get another headgear, one size smaller.

I really like the Mirage Quattro too, but it can make my nose bridge sore, as well as being somewhat leak prone.
A good solution may be to try the Padacheek FF mask liner for the MQ. It may solve the nose bridge problem as well as the leaky-ness.

Vader

Thanks for the comments - for now I've opted to buy 2 more seals (mask is starting to leak each night now & am sure it is back to the seal wearing out).

If I get the chance to try an FX I will but stay with std Quattro for now

Cheers

DSM

[busylady]

I've been using the Quatro FX for 4 weeks, after 6 weeks w/Swift FX pillows. I ordered the Pad-A-Cheek liner within the first week and leaks did decrease. I did cut the hole a bit bigger because the fabric covered my mouth... I drooled... and it was confining. I did email Karen and comment that I was thinking of modifying the liner (I'm a creative sewer), by splitting the velcro so that you don't have to feed the strap holders through the hole. The velcro closure would then be 3 pieces that come together from the back -- one from each side and one that goes over the hose piece. I haven't done that yet, but it is on the agenda. I have added cheek straps, first for the lower straps, then the upper. Had the whole affair together last night and felt very confined, for the upper straps are right under my eyes. Being a young 67, who prefers to stay young looking, this mask really left marks on my face and pushed skin up toward my eyes, causing lots more puffy spots and wrinkles. At least with the liner I can use some face cream at night. The straps have definitely stretched. The upper straps are 1+" tighter than the first night. I get some eye leakage and need to pull those upper straps tight to prevent that problem. The pressure from the side straps seems to affect my TMJ also, but I like the fact that the FFM doesn't have the forehead piece and straps don't hit my neck.

I noticed someone else commented on the mask size. I have a small, but with the liner, it seems too small. My chin can drop down easily with the liner. I have made a half liner that didn't go as low as the mouth. It was of flannel (next will be cotton t-shirt) and stayed in place OK. I tied it in front where the upper velcro joins, and that worked OK. The silicone sealed better under my lip than the liner did. I think I'll try that version again tonight. I had horrible leak 2 nights ago and will be curious how last night was.

My AHI and leak numbers go up and down every few days. I think I have the best combination for a couple days, then the numbers go up. I never knew I'd be so all-consumed with plotting my sleep patterns, mask options, sleeping positions, pillows, etc., etc. It's a therapy I want to continue, after all it's non-chemical, no pills, etc., and if it will help other health issues like diabetis, stroke, heart attack, etc., I'm all for it. I've probably had the problem for 5-10 years, but didn't know it, then didn't want to do a sleep study, but here I am, doing better with all the support from this chat line!!

[JohnBFisher]

DSM, sorry for my lack of reply. I tend to agree with Vader ... the FX seems to work a little better. It's not perfect, but with the mask liners it does a pretty good job for me. The normal Quattro worked okay, but the forehead bridge would sometimes get very painful on my forehead. No fun.

[dsm]

DSM, sorry for my lack of reply. I tend to agree with Vader ... the FX seems to work a little better. It's not perfect, but with the mask liners it does a pretty good job for me. The normal Quattro worked okay, but the forehead bridge would sometimes get very painful on my forehead. No fun.

Tks John

I was wondering if it did away with the need for the anti-leak strap. Am about to buy a new one. Just also purchased 2 seals for the std quattro

Cheers

DSM

[kempo]

My DME reminded me today that I have meet my deductable for the year and my insurance will pay 90% on supplies so I decided to purchase a Quattro FX after reading your post.

So John, if it don't work out it's all your fault! and I will just throw it in the pile of full face mask I have in my closet.

[JohnBFisher]

Kempo, well the pressure is ON! Whew! Not sure I can stand the heat.

Seriously, I do hope you enjoy it. Not everyone does. It seems to work well for me. It's not perfect. I'm still hunting for the perfect full face mask.

As I noted, the mask runs a little smaller than the older Quattro mask. The large Quattro FX works for me. The medium did not. The medium of the older Quattro was the right size for me.

Also, the headgear on the Quattro FX was too small for me. I had to have my DME order the large headgear.

But then, I find that "one size fits all" hats are WAY too small for me. [My head has a 25" circumference for hat measurements ... or a hat size of 7 7/8 !! Of course, I wish I could tell you there was more inside with a size like that. Unfortunately, I'm pretty certain my noggin is just denser and thicker than normal! ] So, take my info with a lick of salt.

[kempo]

Well, the girl at my DME measured me with the measuring tool for that particular mask and she said I was a medium. I was surprised by that. I figured I would be a large. She said if it didn't work I could exchange for a size large. So we shall see.

Anyways thanks for the info on your experience with this mask.

And by the way I ordered the pad-a-cheek mask liner too. So the pressure is on for both products.

[kennasgrammy]

I use the Pad a cheek liners for all my masks (and yes I alternate many) you can't compare these liners with anything made from a T-shirt. These liners are made to fit each individual mask and they are so comfortable, long lasting, washable, stay put when you take off your mask, and most of all they help ME get my leaks under control. Big Fan.

For those of you using the Pad a cheek mask liner for the Quattro FX, has it helped with air leaks into the eyes? That's the only place I'm getting air leaks with the Quattro FX. Thanks

[skipperT]

Desperate to cure leaks, I ordered 2 padacheek liners - one for my Quattro FX and one for the Mirage Quattro. With the FX, the liner certainly feels good, but after 4 hrs I was in trouble again - with facial oil I guess - because with every puff at 20cm the thing would scoot up my nose and proceed to blow into my eyes. Fiddled w/straps for another hr and had to give up.
So, last night tried the other liner on the Mirage Quattro and it worked for 8hrs - YAY! And the liner protects my beak. Well, one night isn't much history, but I was thrilled!

[JohnBFisher]

I use the Pad a cheek liners for all my masks (and yes I alternate many) you can't compare these liners with anything made from a T-shirt. These liners are made to fit each individual mask and they are so comfortable, long lasting, washable, stay put when you take off your mask, and most of all they help ME get my leaks under control. Big Fan.

For those of you using the Pad a cheek mask liner for the Quattro FX, has it helped with air leaks into the eyes? That's the only place I'm getting air leaks with the Quattro FX. Thanks

I did for me. I still get some leaks into my eyes, but no where near as bad. By the way, I also use REMzzzs liners for the same thing.

[JohnBFisher]

... because with every puff at 20cm the thing would scoot up my nose and proceed to blow into my eyes. Fiddled w/straps for another hr and had to give up. ...

Glad the Quattro FX with the mask liner did work for one night. Hopefully you will see many more nights like that.

I found that with a large headgear I could move the lower straps below my chin line. This causes them to angle up toward the mask and do a better job of holding the mask in place - and avoiding that creep up toward the eyes. The same trick should work for most folks with the medium headgear.

Just a possible suggestion, though as you know all too well, there is not "one size fits all" in the mask world.

[harry man]

Quattro fx mask is cheap...
After 6 month, the cheap velcro don't work anymore... But the big problem is the leaking over the nose bridge... They made the mask so easy to dismount in order to clean it that it dismount by himself over the nose bridge a few time during the night... You wake up, put it back in place and try to go back to sleep...
I am so suprise by the stupidity of a compagnie who obviusly didn't try product in real with real patient and real preasure... If they would have done it, they would have find that the mask isn't working well in real life situation and they would have correct the problem before selling that crap...
Take my word for it... stay away of that piece of ***

[JohnBFisher]

Quattro fx mask is cheap...
After 6 month, the cheap velcro don't work anymore... But the big problem is the leaking over the nose bridge... They made the mask so easy to dismount in order to clean it that it dismount by himself over the nose bridge a few time during the night... You wake up, put it back in place and try to go back to sleep...
I am so suprise by the stupidity of a compagnie who obviusly didn't try product in real with real patient and real preasure... If they would have done it, they would have find that the mask isn't working well in real life situation and they would have correct the problem before selling that crap...
Take my word for it... stay away of that piece of ***

Well, this mask does not work for you. It is working for me. I've used this mask for more than about 18 months at this point.

Does the velcro wear out? I'ld be surprised if it did. You just unclip the mask. I only rarely futz with the velcro.

Even so, the mask headgear and the mask shell should both be replaced after 6 months to one year. And the mask cushion (the part against the face) should be replaced after a few months of use.

Yes, it's not perfect. However, masks that tend to stand up to long term use tend to also push against my face and cut off airflow. So, the "perfect" mask does not exist. A perfect mask would stand up to the pressure and use but not be so stiff that cut off airflow. I've got 20 years of use under my belt and this mask is one of the best that I have used. I would *LOVE* to be able to use nasal pillows. But with my current pressure and ASV unit, it is out of the question. So, I use the Resmed Mirage Quattro FX full face mask.

Just my own opinion .. but it's based on using xPAP for more than 20 years.

[Misteracad]

... I'd like to give another cudos to a liner that I haven't heard much about, but have tried and like. ...

Thank you! I will have to try these.

For those of you who want a fast and quick URL:

http://quietusliners dot com/

Buyer beware...these products do NOT work for everyone and you cannot return them for any kind of credit! The liners actually made my sleep experience WORSE. I contacted the company and referenced the "Satisfaction Guarantee" claim on their website...asking for my money back. After waiting 2 weeks, the company finally responded and credited my PayPal account a mere $1.50, which they claim was their profit on my purchase. I'm out $21.94

For the record I also use a Quattro FX and am sleeping fine WITHOUT any liners. Occasionally the mask would slip or not have a tight seal, so I opted to try the Quietus Liners after reading an article in our local newspaper. Quietus is actually based not too far from me here in PA, but my customer satisfaction experience will tarnish my opinion of them forever I also thought the liners would keep me from having to clean the mask as often, but oh well.

[matt.kesner@comcast.net]

John,
You might want to consider reviewing Quietus liners. They are made from a heavier fabric and have an exclusive feature of a tacking agent to keep the liner in place. They are advertised for 3 to 7 nights usage but I get way over that. Check them out you might be very surprised.