Full Face Masks

[Sloop]

Just curious -- but after reading many many posts here, I get the feeling that some people start PAP therapy with FFMs for no particular reason (such as being necessary from being a mouth breather). Is this correct? Have some of you started off with FFMs not out of necessity?

[neverbetter]

Most a lot of us are mouth breathers when we start and don't want to deal with chinstraps and tape. Some of us just want to option of opening our mouths to breathe if we want. Some of us are on such high pressures that most pillows blow right off our noses.

[Julie]

I believe a lot of us may NOT be mouth breathers when starting, BUT become them after being on Cpap a while and having air pumped in all night, taking up room and adding pressure to places that never saw it before... so we need to switch over. Plus if you get colds (I happen not to) and are stuffed up, you can still stay on Cpap without losing therapy.

[LSAT]

I started out with a nasal mask and very quickly found that I needed the papcap to keep from leaking air out of my mouth. The papcap was comfortable, but I didn't like all the straps on my face. I quickly switched to a FF Mask which I found MUCH more comfortable. My Quattro and I have been together for 3.5 years.

[retrodave15]

I started with nasal pillows, then a nasal mask, and eventually moved to a full face mask. I am a mouth breather and I could not deal with the chinstrap. I am now so used to the full face mask, that I hardly notice it after I mask up at night - it is just now part of the routine.

Dave

[KEQ5]

When I went in for my titration study, the tech asked "are you a mouth breather?". I said "probably", so he gave me a FFM. At some point I might try out nasal pillows and a chin strap, but with the full beard I'm not sure the chin strap will stay in place.

And I'm mostly happy with the FFM after 2 weeks of use.

[Sloop]

many years ago, I would switch off between a nasal mask and nasal pillows. I actually liked the pillows but could only go maybe two nights in a row before irritation would get my nostrils. So I would go back to the nasal mask for another week and then switch again.

I was impressed with the design of the nasal pillows and also the soft material that they used at the time. I find it hard to believe it could be better today simply because the nostrils are SO sensitive to irritation. ITMT, such huge advancements evolved with nasal masks, that I don't even want to try pillows again.

[archangle]

Some people believe that FFMs can push your jaw back and make apnea worse and you may need more pressure. It's sort of like an oral appliance that makes your apnea worse rather than better.

However, some people need a FFM. I just wish they weren't used as a first choice by lazy DMEs who don't want to deal with trying to find the right mask. I'm sure a lot of people have given up on CPAP unnecessarily because they didn't try a nasal mask first.

[Guv]

Since I first started using a CPAP about 6-8 months ago, I've only used a nasal mask. The last 4-5 nights (since I got a humidifier) I've started using a make-shift chin strap (Ace bandage) and things seem to be working better and my AHI numbers are looking better. I'm thinking about getting a FFM to try. Like right now, my nose is nearly completely congested and I hate to take Sudafed or the like because of my HBP. So I'm thinking very seriously about buying one. Seems like most people use the Quattro FX... are there any others I should consider? It's a shame there's no way to return something if you hate it after buying it... (right?)

[zoocrewphoto]

Since I first started using a CPAP about 6-8 months ago, I've only used a nasal mask. The last 4-5 nights (since I got a humidifier) I've started using a make-shift chin strap (Ace bandage) and things seem to be working better and my AHI numbers are looking better. I'm thinking about getting a FFM to try. Like right now, my nose is nearly completely congested and I hate to take Sudafed or the like because of my HBP. So I'm thinking very seriously about buying one. Seems like most people use the Quattro FX... are there any others I should consider? It's a shame there's no way to return something if you hate it after buying it... (right?)

Ask your doctor about nasonex. My doctor sent me home with a couple sample inhalers as I had no luck with zyrtec or clariton. I have been coughing big time for over 3 weeks now (finally slowing down the past 2 days). The nasonex didn't help with that, but I have noticed that I am able to breathe through my nose better than I used to. I still have to open my mouth every couple minutes to get a larger breath. But I have noticed at work that I can breathe better, so it has definitely helped with reduced congestion.

I am on 3 meds for high blood pressure (not much improvement with them), and my blood pressure is normal or slightly high now that I am on cpap treatment. My doctor clearly knows about my blood pressure issues, so she felt it was safe for use with high blood pressure. The huge sheet if info in the package does not mention high blood pressure in the warning section or the section for who should use it (or not).

Might be worth a try. I know I will be asking for a regular prescription for it.

[LSAT]

Since I first started using a CPAP about 6-8 months ago, I've only used a nasal mask. The last 4-5 nights (since I got a humidifier) I've started using a make-shift chin strap (Ace bandage) and things seem to be working better and my AHI numbers are looking better. I'm thinking about getting a FFM to try. Like right now, my nose is nearly completely congested and I hate to take Sudafed or the like because of my HBP. So I'm thinking very seriously about buying one. Seems like most people use the Quattro FX... are there any others I should consider? It's a shame there's no way to return something if you hate it after buying it... (right?)

If you purchase from a DME at full retail, they should allow a return/exchange within 30 days. If you purchase on line...many vendors allow you to purchase return insurance.

[zoocrewphoto]

Since I first started using a CPAP about 6-8 months ago, I've only used a nasal mask. The last 4-5 nights (since I got a humidifier) I've started using a make-shift chin strap (Ace bandage) and things seem to be working better and my AHI numbers are looking better. I'm thinking about getting a FFM to try. Like right now, my nose is nearly completely congested and I hate to take Sudafed or the like because of my HBP. So I'm thinking very seriously about buying one. Seems like most people use the Quattro FX... are there any others I should consider? It's a shame there's no way to return something if you hate it after buying it... (right?)

If you purchase from a DME at full retail, they should allow a return/exchange within 30 days. If you purchase on line...many vendors allow you to purchase return insurance.

I never thought to question it at the time, but when I picked up my second mask (I kept the first one), the guy told me that once a mask leaves, it can't be returned. I am also not sure if it was truly a new mask. My first mask came in a sealed plastic bag. The second one was in a ziplock bag. I was new and didn't bother to question anything. Not planning on going back there unless I have to. I h ave not officially fired them yet, but I have found a new DME. I forgot to call the insurance company and ask them my list of question today. My next day off is Friday, and I will be up early to go with my mom to her appointment with the sleep doctor. We have some very different data, so I am looking to learn, plus retain info for her, and also talk to the DME there. I will have time afterward to make my phone call. If I can do reimbursements from online purchases at the same rate, I will do that for some of my purchases.

[49er]

Since I first started using a CPAP about 6-8 months ago, I've only used a nasal mask. The last 4-5 nights (since I got a humidifier) I've started using a make-shift chin strap (Ace bandage) and things seem to be working better and my AHI numbers are looking better. I'm thinking about getting a FFM to try. Like right now, my nose is nearly completely congested and I hate to take Sudafed or the like because of my HBP. So I'm thinking very seriously about buying one. Seems like most people use the Quattro FX... are there any others I should consider? It's a shame there's no way to return something if you hate it after buying it... (right?)

This online vendor, http://www.cpap-experts.com/, allows 30 day unconditional returns on select masks without having to purchase return insurance.

49er