Another week another mask...Full Face?

[Marky]

My nasal mask isnt working, nor it seems any mask as they leak across the bridge of the nose.
Last time I saw the consultant she showed me a "Full Face" mask. Literally like a scuba diving mask that surrounds the entire face, forehead and all.


Has anyone tried this type of mask? any observations?

Oh, and I mouth breathe and tend to lie on my side or worse still, roll over onto my stomach! Anyway, I imagine the leaks from this will be worse than the smaller masks, or does anybody know different?

[Sheriff Buford]

Take a peek at my mask (below). I was having the same problems you seem to have. The knot on my nose bridge is so big, I could not get a seal under my cheeks with a full face mask. I am a terrible mouth breather too. You may get the nasal mask to work by using a chinstrap or tape (some folks tie their mouth shut with panty hose... I never had any spares laying around... ) to keep your mouth shut. Look at the resmed mirage liberty mask. It's a hybrid mask. Resmed also makes full face masks with large and shallow nose bridges. Contact them and they will mail you plastic templates. My mask seals around the forehead, temple, cheeks and under your mouth. It is very attrusive, but it eliminates nose sores (inside and outside) and nose bridge sores. Philips also claims it's also for men with beards, though I won't be able to comment on that until I retire from chasing bad guys.

Finding the right mask that is comfortable and doesn't leak is the key to success in therapy. Keep shopping until you find the right one for you.

[Marky]

Thats the mask I was shown.

Ive tried all the resmed now, and the chinstrap doesnt work, I have to get it very tight, and it slips off in the night, rubs the skin etc.

That is the mask though, I was shown two, one like an inflatable and that one...yours being the one i quickly tried before agreeing to the "cheaper" alternative for one last try. I do wonder how the seal will hold on a full face though.

[Sheriff Buford]

I do wonder how the seal will hold on a full face though.

Before I found "my" mask, I shopped around. Some of the larger DME's will have "try-on" masks. Have them setup a cpap machine for you at your personal setting. Put the mask on, and let the DME help you with the adjustments. When I found my total-mask, I was at cpap.com and the lady allowed me to lie on the floor and I rolled around to see what type of leaks I had to deal with. When people came in, they stepped right over me. Upon leaving the store, I knew had had the leak issues solved, what I didn't know what the comfort level would be. You should be able to do this with all masks.

Sheriff

[Bobby269]

This Company will let you borrow a mask and try it for a week. The cost is $14.00 round trip mail. http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html
Some Companies offer insurance which allows you to return the mask for a new one. But it a lot more than $14.00.

[Cuda]

Even without insurance I would go to a DME for the mask. I bought most of my supplies online but DMEs rule for masks. I paid $270 for my first mask that online was $180 but I went through three masks at no extra change and was allowed to keep the old ones. Pay a DME out of pocket if necessary and you get 30 days per mask at most. My DME said I can keep coming in for a new one every 30 days! Also, using some DMEs for ANYTHING, even JUST a mask and you get all the benefits. For example if my online purchased CPAP fails they will box it up and mail it in for repair for me a give me a loaner because I am a customer.

So don't look at it as 200-300 for a mask but rather 200-300 to keep getting masks until you get the right one!

Problem I would have with the mask that covers your whole face is more surface area and if you have an itch to scratch what a pain that would be.