Greetings: I am a new C-PAPer (9 days) and have a ULtra Mirage Nasal Mask. It's not perfect (at least for me) but I can actually sleep with it. And, it keeps a good seal without being too tight - it kind of floats on my face.
My problem is mouth leaks. It seems that if my tongue is not perfectly aligned some air escapes into my mouth. Not a blast, just a small leak and it forces me to wake up and expel the air. Kind of like a tire with a slow leak but in reverse.
I've read about chin straps, mouth guards, crazy glue, tape, etc
I'm wondering if I should get a FF Mask and if that is the best solution for my leakage and also what is the downside of a FF Mask.
I have not done any data analysis yet. I am waiting for my reader to arrive, so I don't know how much I'm leaking when asleep.
I'd appreciate your comments.
Thanks,
Tom
Nasal vs FF Mask
5 posts
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snorzalot
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Kentucky, United States of America
- Contact:
Tom,
If you really like your mask and would like to try a cheaper alternative to a new mask, consider giving a chin strap a shot. This will help significantly with mouth leaks. However, it probably won't be a complete solution.
If you decide to go with a full face mask, there's several options on the market even though I was really just aware of three until I started doing more research in the past few weeks. I've started compling all the data I can on FF masks and I see several things I'd like to try.
Based on forum surfing, I think I'm pretty safe in saying that most FF wearers are using either ResMed's Ultra Mirage Full Face (I have) or the Fisher Paykel Healthcare FlexiFit 431 Full Face (also have).
Both masks IMHO have pros and cons.
The Ultra has a very cool adjustable nose piece that helps with pressure points along the bridge of the nose. However, at my higher pressure setting I really had to overtighten to get a solid seal, but I'm prone to overtighten when not necessary--I'm learning. The silicon piece is MUCH nicer then the older school Series 2 that ResMed has since retired, but I'm still not overly impressed. All in all I like this mask, BUT ...
I'm currently wearing the FlexiFit as it stretches slightly longer to barely encompass the bottom of the chin bone, so it works ever so slightly like a chin strap, but you can still mouth breath. I think the silicon is a much nicer improvement over the Ultra, but I already after 7 days have a slight, 1/8" long tear near the top of the silicon at the top of my nose. Currently, it's not an issue with leaks, but I'm watching it closely. I have a funny feeling part of the reason I like this mask is that I might need a full size when I'm using a medium. Perhaps, I'm in between sizes. The medium is just enough onto the bridge of my nose that it seems to be working almost like nasal strips that help hold my nose open (perhaps explains the small tear being too small). Please note I've read others on this forum complaining of seal issues with this mask, but it's working great for me! I either don't wake up at all at night now or just one time with this mask. My new BiPAP at the right setting of course has a lot to do with that as well
At any rate ... If you want to do your own full face mask research, here's the vendors I've located thus far (think I have them all sans a custom dealer somewhere). My goal again was to learn as much as I could about each mask, but I'm not finished compiling data yet)
Good luck!
If you really like your mask and would like to try a cheaper alternative to a new mask, consider giving a chin strap a shot. This will help significantly with mouth leaks. However, it probably won't be a complete solution.
If you decide to go with a full face mask, there's several options on the market even though I was really just aware of three until I started doing more research in the past few weeks. I've started compling all the data I can on FF masks and I see several things I'd like to try.
Based on forum surfing, I think I'm pretty safe in saying that most FF wearers are using either ResMed's Ultra Mirage Full Face (I have) or the Fisher Paykel Healthcare FlexiFit 431 Full Face (also have).
Both masks IMHO have pros and cons.
The Ultra has a very cool adjustable nose piece that helps with pressure points along the bridge of the nose. However, at my higher pressure setting I really had to overtighten to get a solid seal, but I'm prone to overtighten when not necessary--I'm learning. The silicon piece is MUCH nicer then the older school Series 2 that ResMed has since retired, but I'm still not overly impressed. All in all I like this mask, BUT ...
I'm currently wearing the FlexiFit as it stretches slightly longer to barely encompass the bottom of the chin bone, so it works ever so slightly like a chin strap, but you can still mouth breath. I think the silicon is a much nicer improvement over the Ultra, but I already after 7 days have a slight, 1/8" long tear near the top of the silicon at the top of my nose. Currently, it's not an issue with leaks, but I'm watching it closely. I have a funny feeling part of the reason I like this mask is that I might need a full size when I'm using a medium. Perhaps, I'm in between sizes. The medium is just enough onto the bridge of my nose that it seems to be working almost like nasal strips that help hold my nose open (perhaps explains the small tear being too small). Please note I've read others on this forum complaining of seal issues with this mask, but it's working great for me! I either don't wake up at all at night now or just one time with this mask. My new BiPAP at the right setting of course has a lot to do with that as well
At any rate ... If you want to do your own full face mask research, here's the vendors I've located thus far (think I have them all sans a custom dealer somewhere). My goal again was to learn as much as I could about each mask, but I'm not finished compiling data yet)
- ResMed, Ultra Mirage™ (replaced the S2)
ResMed, Mirage Full Face Mask System Series 2
Respironics, ComfortFull™
Respironics, ComfortFull 2 (CPAP.com compares Full with Full2)
Respironics, Total Face Mask (one size only)
Respironics, Spectrum Reusable (older technology I think)
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, FlexiFit™ HC431
DeVilbiss, Hans Rudolph Oro-Nasal VIP 7600 VMask (looks interesting)
Tiara Medical Systems, Inc., Full Advantage
Good luck!
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snorzalot
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2006 12:34 pm
- Location: Kentucky, United States of America
- Contact:
Wow I almost missed this message as I typically just read the first page, but apparently the forum traffic is high
Incidentally, if you ever address a post to me direct and I don't answer, just send me a private message --not ignoring -- just working a lot these days
To answer your question, my mask just barely covers the boney part of my chin. In face, if I used a finger to measure or find the "bend" in my chin from top to bottom, I would estimate the mask reaching (medium) to 1/4 inch at best...not much, but just about right. Again I think the Hans Rudolph might be another mask that has a spot to catch the chin, thus my interest in possibly trying one of those at some point.
Thanks!
Incidentally, if you ever address a post to me direct and I don't answer, just send me a private message --not ignoring -- just working a lot these days
To answer your question, my mask just barely covers the boney part of my chin. In face, if I used a finger to measure or find the "bend" in my chin from top to bottom, I would estimate the mask reaching (medium) to 1/4 inch at best...not much, but just about right. Again I think the Hans Rudolph might be another mask that has a spot to catch the chin, thus my interest in possibly trying one of those at some point.
Thanks!
May not help much with the "comparison angle" but my experience with the Ultra Mirage fullface mask has been good. ( I am a 24/7 mouth breather due to deviated septum, enlarged tubinates, and just narrow airway according to the ENT I saw. So nasal anything doesn't work for me.)
I am also on the border line between small and medium sizes. The small wants to squeeze my mouth shut or pull itself down my nose. The medium is the opposite. The bottom rides further down my chin than I would like, forcing me to open my mouth more than normal. But, it is my choice.
Wearing them was a learning process for me, although others had offered the advice on the forum. You DO NOT want to strap them down too tight. Adjust the straps so they just hold the mask on your face before turning on the wind tunnel. It will puff the mask up and away from your face for the proper seal. It should kinda float on the face. Caveat - My pressure is on the low side. 7 for 90% of the time up to a rare 10. Those with higher pressures have not reported my kind of success.
Clif
I am also on the border line between small and medium sizes. The small wants to squeeze my mouth shut or pull itself down my nose. The medium is the opposite. The bottom rides further down my chin than I would like, forcing me to open my mouth more than normal. But, it is my choice.
Wearing them was a learning process for me, although others had offered the advice on the forum. You DO NOT want to strap them down too tight. Adjust the straps so they just hold the mask on your face before turning on the wind tunnel. It will puff the mask up and away from your face for the proper seal. It should kinda float on the face. Caveat - My pressure is on the low side. 7 for 90% of the time up to a rare 10. Those with higher pressures have not reported my kind of success.
Clif
_________________
| Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear |
| Humidifier: HC150 Heated Humidifier With Hose, 2 Chambers and Stand |
| Additional Comments: Original= 9cm. current= APAP 7-11 |
5 posts
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