Mask Question

[BCZF]

Hi.. I'm new here.. Been on my Bipap machine for around 2 weeks..

Things are going pretty well so far (neck ache from the headgear and backaches notwithstanding). However I am having a heck of a time with this mask, I'm a larger guy, and the constant adjustment and readjustment, raising and lowering is becoming problematic. I've read several reviews of this mask and it seems I'm not alone with these problems.

I spoke with the DME person at the slep clinic, she is sending me the Fisher and Paykel Forma mask XL.. I wonder if anyone else has had experience with this mask, she seems to think this will really help me out.

[archangle]

Hi.. I'm new here.. Been on my Bipap machine for around 2 weeks..

Things are going pretty well so far (neck ache from the headgear and backaches notwithstanding). However I am having a heck of a time with this mask, I'm a larger guy, and the constant adjustment and readjustment, raising and lowering is becoming problematic. I've read several reviews of this mask and it seems I'm not alone with these problems.

I spoke with the DME person at the slep clinic, she is sending me the Fisher and Paykel Forma mask XL.. I wonder if anyone else has had experience with this mask, she seems to think this will really help me out.

It's wrong to start anyone on a Full Face Mask. (FFM). You should always start with a nasal mask and only use an FFM if you can't make the nasal mask work. Some people can't keep their mouth closed and the air leaks out. Or you can't breathe through your nose. These people need an FFM.

Working with you to find the correct mask is one of the reasons DMEs can charge you so much for equipment. I think it's just lazy or greedy DMEs who stick their unsuspecting victims with FFMs so they don't have to work with the customer if they can't use a nasal mask.

You usually have 30 days to return any mask if it doesn't work. You may have to lean on the DME to get them to exchange it. Don't let them trick you into missing the 30 day window.

[LSAT]

archangle's quote..."It's wrong to start anyone on a Full Face Mask. (FFM). You should always start with a nasal mask and only use an FFM if you can't make the nasal mask work. Some people can't keep their mouth closed and the air leaks out. Or you can't breathe through your nose. These people need an FFM."


This statement is rediculous..you have made it over and over. When a person has a titration the RT should suggest a mask depending on their sleep study. If a person is an obvious mouth breather, why not start them out on a FF mask rather than have them fail with a nasal mask.

[Demeter_Soul]

Hi, BCZF.
My second mask was the one you are currently using, the Comfortgel, and it was terribly uncomfortable on me, actually pressing into my face over my lower gums and pushing my teeth in...and leaving the bridge of my nose ulcerated. The next mask I tried was the Forma mask and because it leaked so badly on me I had to tighten it so much it bruised my face...leaving me looking like I was in a car wreck.
But...one thing about these masks...is that one person's fright mask is another person's dream mask. You really kinda have to try them yourself to see how they work.
I went through quite a few until I found my sweet mask and even that mask takes a lot of adjustments and a few tricks I read about on this board.
BTW, I got a full-face mask because the folks at the sleep clinic saw me sleeping with my mouth hanging open. Some well meaning friends who are also on CPAP/BIPAP therapy suggested I get a chin strap and tape/glue my mouth shut and use a nasal mask. Nah, that's just trading one mess for another, IMHO.
I wish you lots of luck with your journey to find the best mask. I had a lot of problems because of an oddly shaped jaw (not really visible but it causes many problems) and have had a lot of problems with getting the right size. Currently I'm using a Hybrid, large insert, and medium nasal pillows.

[BCZF]

Hi, BCZF.
My second mask was the one you are currently using, the Comfortgel, and it was terribly uncomfortable on me, actually pressing into my face over my lower gums and pushing my teeth in...and leaving the bridge of my nose ulcerated. The next mask I tried was the Forma mask and because it leaked so badly on me I had to tighten it so much it bruised my face...leaving me looking like I was in a car wreck.
But...one thing about these masks...is that one person's fright mask is another person's dream mask. You really kinda have to try them yourself to see how they work.
I went through quite a few until I found my sweet mask and even that mask takes a lot of adjustments and a few tricks I read about on this board.
BTW, I got a full-face mask because the folks at the sleep clinic saw me sleeping with my mouth hanging open. Some well meaning friends who are also on CPAP/BIPAP therapy suggested I get a chin strap and tape/glue my mouth shut and use a nasal mask. Nah, that's just trading one mess for another, IMHO.
I wish you lots of luck with your journey to find the best mask. I had a lot of problems because of an oddly shaped jaw (not really visible but it causes many problems) and have had a lot of problems with getting the right size. Currently I'm using a Hybrid, large insert, and medium nasal pillows.

Hi, thanks for the reply.. My problem is my numbers are so bad, they require the bipap to be 18-28...So I really need to stick this out, but I can see where half of the patients drop out..3AM and your adjusting, tightening,etc.. I just seems like there should be a better way..Hell, a space helmet would seem like paradise..

Being a mouth breather (tried the nasal only) really complicates things I'm finding out, and with such high pressures, I'm beginning to thing nothing is going to be completely fool proof. I broached the idea of trying out something like the Oracle, but these do not fall within the exchange policy, should it not work and I can picture jaw pan and dental problems with something like that..

[Mary Z]

I don't have any experience with the new mask though I have heard good things about the mask.

I was started with a nasal mask during my titration sleep study, had to have a chin strap applied. I chose to use a FFM rather than a nasal mask as I have occasional nasal congestion on retiring and didn't want to deal with a chin strap or taping.

[archangle]

This statement is rediculous..you have made it over and over. When a person has a titration the RT should suggest a mask depending on their sleep study. If a person is an obvious mouth breather, why not start them out on a FF mask rather than have them fail with a nasal mask.

How did they figure out the patient is a mouth breather if they didn't start the patient out with a nasal mask? Is there some magic RT "mouth breather radar?"

How did they figure out they couldn't make a nasal mask work if they didn't try a chin strap?

Lots of RTs and DMEs are starting patients on FFMs in all cases when they have any indication the patient will have problems with a nasal mask. This isn't for the benefit for the patient, it's so they don't have to do the extra work to find the right mask for the patient.

[Alshain]

How did they figure out the patient is a mouth breather if they didn't start the patient out with a nasal mask? Is there some magic RT "mouth breather radar?"

Mine had that mouth breather radar. They called it some fancy name like "infrared video". Doc showed it to me, even though I was wearing a FFM, you could clearly tell I was breathing through my mouth.

[LSAT]

This statement is rediculous..you have made it over and over. When a person has a titration the RT should suggest a mask depending on their sleep study. If a person is an obvious mouth breather, why not start them out on a FF mask rather than have them fail with a nasal mask.

How did they figure out the patient is a mouth breather if they didn't start the patient out with a nasal mask? Is there some magic RT "mouth breather radar?"

How did they figure out they couldn't make a nasal mask work if they didn't try a chin strap?

Lots of RTs and DMEs are starting patients on FFMs in all cases when they have any indication the patient will have problems with a nasal mask. This isn't for the benefit for the patient, it's so they don't have to do the extra work to find the right mask for the patient.

By the end of the sleep study/titration, the RT should be able to tell if the person is a mouth breather and should send them home with a FF mask or with a recommendation to use a FF mask. Starting a mouth breather with a FF mask saves lots of frustration with changing masks because CPAP is not working for them. Chinstraps don't work for most people.

[xenablue]

How did they figure out the patient is a mouth breather if they didn't start the patient out with a nasal mask? Is there some magic RT "mouth breather radar?"

Mine had that mouth breather radar. They called it some fancy name like "infrared video". Doc showed it to me, even though I was wearing a FFM, you could clearly tell I was breathing through my mouth.

Yup, mine that that fancy gizmo too - told me I breathed through my mouth a lot - there I was in the video just like magic.

I have a Mirage Liberty mask (mouth mask + nasal pillows) but have made just nasal pillows work with a chinstrap. Can't bring myself to tape though.

Cheers,
xena

[chunkyfrog]

The sleep lab I went to only showed me two masks. They had me use an original Quattro for the sleep test.
They had no idea whether I breathed through my mouth--never checked.
(was anyone in that room all night?)
I used the Mirage Micro for about 5 months before I realized there was a reason my mouth was getting so dry and my gums were in horrible shape.