full face vs nasal mask

[Lenie]

i currently use a nasal mask, Have a real problem with congestion especially when I have a cold. I have high blood pressure and have been using and overusing Afrin. My blood pressure is out of control. I know I need to get off the Afrin and want to know if a full face mask would allow me to breathe through my mouth when very congested.

[Pugsy]

Yes, a full face mask will allow you to breath through your mask if congested and since the mouth is covered and hopefully sealed with the full face mask then there is no loss of pressure or therapy out the mouth.

[LSAT]

YES! The FF Mask can be used when you need to breathe through your mouth. You will maintain your pressure with the FF Mask. You will lose pressure when you breathe through your mouth using a nasal mask.

[ARA]

i currently use a nasal mask, Have a real problem with congestion especially when I have a cold. I have high blood pressure and have been using and overusing Afrin. My blood pressure is out of control. I know I need to get off the Afrin and want to know if a full face mask would allow me to breathe through my mouth when very congested.

Hi there- I tried the nose-only mask during my sleep study and hated it! I got stuffed- up and claustrophobic, and couldn't yawn without sounding/feeling like I was trying to blow out candles across the room! I take seasonal allergy nasal spray every day, so nasal congestion is a constant battle for me. I like the full face mask MUCH better! For some reason, it feels less restrictive to me, I can breathe through my mouth when I need to, want to, or just do accidentally while I'm sleeping. Sometimes it annoys my chin, but I'm still getting used to it.

[JCS57]

Lenie,

I too had considerable sinus congestion problems and developed an addiction to Afrin and other decongestants. A CT scan showed that about 90% of my sinus cavities were blocked with swollen tissues. I went in for sinus surgery with amazing results and haven't had trouble since; that was 10 years ago. My surgeon used some type of laser device to remove the damaged tissues but I understand that there are some different techniques now.

[Kairosgrammy]

It would. That's why many folks use a ffm, either due to congestion or they are mouth breathers. Have you tried raising the humidity on your machine. I also, if I'm particularly congested, use a netti pot. Works wonder. My nose is clear when I get in bed and then increased humidity keeps me clear.

As far as the afrin goes, the more you use it, the more you have to use it. It basically decreases inflamation initially but then increases mucus output. Not pleasant. So not only are you increasing your blood pressure, you are increasing your congestion issues. Have you been to a doc? There are nasal medicines that will decrease inflammation without increasing production, so to speak. Also, zyrtec is over the counter but very affective. Might be worth a try.

i currently use a nasal mask, Have a real problem with congestion especially when I have a cold. I have high blood pressure and have been using and overusing Afrin. My blood pressure is out of control. I know I need to get off the Afrin and want to know if a full face mask would allow me to breathe through my mouth when very congested.

[Leisesturm]

i currently use a nasal mask, Have a real problem with congestion especially when I have a cold. I have high blood pressure and have been using and overusing Afrin. My blood pressure is out of control. I know I need to get off the Afrin and want to know if a full face mask would allow me to breathe through my mouth when very congested.

I have a full face mask but I am such a hardcore nose breather that if my nose is blocked completely (it is usually at least partially blocked) I can't use the CPAP. This has only happened once in the 15 months since getting the CPAP. I got the full face because my SO said I often breathe through my mouth. Now I seriously doubt that that is so, but she was also the person who told me I had sleep apnea and in that she was correct.

H

[Kenneth P.]

I been using the nasal since Dec.I have found when I'm congested or sinus congestion..I turn the temp/humidity level up.I turn my temp up to 84-85..it work's..Breath better when I'm a sleep..Wake up clear&unstopped..Good Luck.

[Spin]

I have been working with cpap machines and mask's for about 12 years. I can say that very few (less than 10%) of the set ups we do need a full face mask, yet everyone that comes in claims they are a mouth breather. Almost everyone we have come through also has some sort of sinus issues that they often blame on allergies. What often happens is that most people breath through the mouth over the course of the night due to the obsrtuction created in the airway (the airway collapses, the the brain panics and needs the mouth to help pull air to the lungs). When this happens most people get the dryness or irritation in the mouth and throat, but also wake up the following morning with a stuffy congested nose. With the dry, turbulent air flow going through the sinus's, they start to swell creating the stuffy nose/allergie feeling the next day. With a nasal mask, and the correct pressure and humidity, most people won't expierance the opening of the mouth, and notice that the sinus's start to return to normal after a week or so of being on the machine.

I personally have tried about every machine and mask on the market (how can you reccommend a product you haven't tried your self) if you have any questions on products and want an un bias opinion, feel free to respond here and I will check it occasionally.
Thanks Brandon

[chunkyfrog]

Really? ----------------Only 10%?
Let the patient decide; and efficacy as well as compliance goes up.
We care more about efficacy here--a leaky mouth undoes it all.
I know what happens when I sleep--My husband tells me (only fair: I told him first!)