Need a mask recommendation

[cubiculum]

I'm on my second month of treatment and I really need some help picking out a mask that I can live with.

I have severe sleep apnea and a high pressure (17). I have a rather large head, so good headgear for a big head is a necessity. I am a side sleeper (even if I start out on my back, I always wind up on my side).

I started with a Respironics ComfortGel Blue nasal mask, but it leaks and "squeals" significantly when I try side sleeping.

I acquired a large Resmed Mirage Quattro FX but I feel like the headgear it came with was too small and pressed against my eyes. The mask leaks around the nose no matter the adjustment. The mask might be slightly big on me.

I got a Respironics Comfortgel full face mask in medium. It seems smaller that I expected for a medium. It leaks around the nose quite significantly.

So, I bought a Respironics OptiLife Nasal Pillow mask. I really like the idea of a nasal pillow, even if I have high pressure. It doesn't leak when I sleep on my side. The chinstrap is rather useless and just slips off half the time. I wake up during the night with this mask and have to readjust frequently, however.

So, while I'm leaning toward another nasal pillow to try next, I thought I'd ask here first as this is running into a bit of money for me as I'm paying out of pocket.

Any recommendations for my situation? High pressure, side sleeper with a big head that is leaning toward a nasal pillow mask?

[sleepdeprivedemt]

i use the respironics full life, been with it 2 weeks now, no complaints here, also, no traditional head gear to worry about, however it is a full face, if you don't need that then you might try nasal pillows

[moresleep]

Unfortunately, it's hard to predict which mask will work best for someone; you'll have to try them all like I did I tried full face masks but could not get rid of the leaks and also found them claustrophobic.

My favorite mask is the Resmed Swift II nasal pillow mask. (Later models are the Swift FX and LT, but I do better with the Swift II.) I find it reasonably versatile when it comes to sleep position. Mask comes with three sizes of pillows, so you would be covered as to size.

One way to proceed would be to take a look at Cpap.com where you can see the various masks and how users rate them. Pick out masks you like; then, come here and do a keyword search to see what users of the mask have to say about the mask and any specific concerns you have (such as side sleep, pressure, etc.).

[Pugsy]

The mask trial is an option to try masks for a week without spending a ton of money.

http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html

$14 (pays for shipping postage both ways) and you can try a mask for a week.

And yes that chin strap on the Optilife is PITA and mostly useless. I used that mask during sleep study and they gave it to me, used it at home till I got the Swift LT (great mask) and now use the Swift FX (even better). If I was still in the experiment stage I would utilize the mask trial. Mask preference is highly personal..What works for you I might find a total disaster and what works for me you might find a total disaster.

[cubiculum]

The mask trial is an option to try masks for a week without spending a ton of money.

Wow, this is exactly what I need. Thanks for the info!