Please update. Favorite mask and why

[Madalot]

Thanks Madalot.

I read in a review that this mask was only for people with a small narrow face. Since I plead guilty:), I am thinking I should try this mask if the others don't work.

Also, I have lousy dexterity so your comment about it being easy to deal with as someone who has MD is valuable information.

To the OP - Sorry for hijacking your thread. Unfortunately, I don't yet have a favorite mask. None of the above:)

49er

I have been using the F&P 431 since November 2009. I've tried pretty much all the FFM's out there, as well as total face masks, and the 431 is the ONLY mask I can use.

Hi Madalot,

I am still trying to make a few FF mask that I have work but am greatly considering the FP 431 if I can't.

Why did it work for you when no others did?

I know your mileage will vary so obviously, I understand you can't guarantee that I will like it. But I am just curious.

49er

I'm guessing that the shape of my face just "fits" the 431. Every other mask leaked badly. I used a Respironics FFM one night and it was GREAT! The next night, I couldn't get the leaks to stop for anything. Switched back to the 431 and was good to go.

I know that there are people on the forum that DESPISE the 431. I'm a firm believer that face shape has a lot to do with how well a mask will seal.

Another thing about the F&P masks is the clip to hook/unhook. Having Muscular Dystrophy makes certain masks impossible for me to hook/unhook because I don't have the strength in my arms/hands to do it. The F&P masks are easy for me since it's just a button to push to release the clip.

Yeah -- the clip is a big deal for me. The way the Respironics have that ball-type clip -- I could NOT hook and unhook it. The mask leaked too badly for me anyway, but I might not have kept the mask even if it hadn't, simply because of the hooks.

Another thing to mention about the F&P 431 is the fact that while the mask itself is one size, it comes with S/M/L seals. Until a few months ago, I was using the Large seal. My face/facial muscles must have changed somehow because I now need the Medium seal instead. But it's nice that each new mask comes with all 3 so you can choose which works best for you.

[retrodave15]

I use the the Mirage Quattro, I have tried several nasal masks, nasal pillows, hybrid masks, but I keep running back to the Mirage Quattro,

The Quattro FX that you get along well with would be a torture device for me. I have problems with any mask that uses a lower strap around the base of the skull. It just kills my neck.

I have cervical sponyliosis, in fact I think I might be looking a a fusion here. Not sure if I want to go down that path quite yet.

I have added the Padacheek neck pad to the lower strap - this has seemed to help greatly. I handle my leaks with a Padacheek mask liner. Both these products make my mask very tolerable!

[Snuffle-nose]

[size=150]My preferred mask so far is LX Swift nasal pillows.....The previous ones which are nasal always slipped of my flat nose, as majority of us have flat bridges and it seals poorly due our facial features. Plus made use air leaks due poor fitting and I am trashed up by midday despite sleeping. Now with nasal pillows which I asked a med. pillow fitting I often wore at night and slept like a log.

Now I have using nasal pillows for quite some while and find them comfortable and compact, as I travel a lot. I am often having use everywhere on holiday or normal routine. [/size]

[lliann]

Well, I have been eyeballing the SleepWeaver. I think I could do a nasal mask if I found the right one..

I will say I had some luck using a chin strap with a pad a leak strap and the buff. I like to sleep on my side. I also like to switch sides because my hip will hurt after a while. I have found putting my hand between the pillow and the mask actually also helps to anchor it.

I do have a optifit full but find it bounces when I inhale and exhale. Very distracting. There are some masks quite inexpensive on cpap .com right now. Any one like any of those? I am sure I am like others...waiting for the next magic idea (the full face sleep weaver sounds nifty) to come down the pike.

[49er]

Yeah -- the clip is a big deal for me. The way the Respironics have that ball-type clip -- I could NOT hook and unhook it. The mask leaked too badly for me anyway, but I might not have kept the mask even if it hadn't, simply because of the hooks.

Another thing to mention about the F&P 431 is the fact that while the mask itself is one size, it comes with S/M/L seals. Until a few months ago, I was using the Large seal. My face/facial muscles must have changed somehow because I now need the Medium seal instead. But it's nice that each new mask comes with all 3 so you can choose which works best for you.

Thanks Madalot.

Yeah, the option to change sizes on the seals is definitely appealing to me.

I am glad that with your MD, you finally found a mask that worked for you. I am sure with that type of medical condition, it must have been exhausting having to try to many masks.

49er

[lazer]

My mask experience is next to none but I am enjoying the Swift FX for the most part. It seems to fit well enough and have limited overhead. I do wish to try the "bella loops" even though I understand they are mainly marketed at women. I wonder if my ear structure can support them.

[ems]

My mask experience is next to none but I am enjoying the Swift FX for the most part. It seems to fit well enough and have limited overhead. I do wish to try the "bella loops" even though I understand they are mainly marketed at women. I wonder if my ear structure can support them.

They may be marketed at women, but there are a few men here who successfully use the Bella Loops.

[chunkyfrog]

And the Pad a Cheek covers for the Bella loops are unisex colored.
--just in case a guy is squeamish about wearing pink.
Personally, I think, in the right place, at the right time---pink is awesome on a man.

[the_nap_ster]

And the Pad a Cheek covers for the Bella loops are unisex colored.
--just in case a guy is squeamish about wearing pink.
Personally, I think, in the right place, at the right time---pink is awesome on a man.

AMEN, sister! (I love a man in pink!)

But, for the record, the very excellent Pad-A-Cheek covers do butch the Bellas up. My husband LOVED the comfort of these covers, but he kind of missed the pink!

[Sgt_Pepper]

A big +1 for teh Swift FX although I couldn't help but notice the ladies seem to have more options with their Swift FXs .. some kinda prima donna bella headgear .. probably in exciting colors.

On a side note, I've seen advice in this thread and others about used masks. I see them on Craigslist all the time .. I've called on a few and the standard reason for gettingreid of it is "I HATE it" .. or something similar. For I could see swapping out the pillows or whatever rests somewhere on teh face. What else do people swap out with a used mask? Washing the crud out of the headgear is a given. I'd like to perhaps go the used mask route in search of something I could wear when my noise is totally plugged up due to a cold or allergies.

[Pugsy]

What else do people swap out with a used mask? Washing the crud out of the headgear is a given. I'd like to perhaps go the used mask route in search of something I could wear when my noise is totally plugged up due to a cold or allergies.

Any hard plastic parts to a full face mask really can't be hurt by use. Simple cleaning and disinfecting will kill any bad bugs. No need to replace them unless something gets broken. Most of the time the silicone cushions for a full face mask would need to be replaced though but they don't cost all that much and sometimes you can find great deal on replacement items on EBay. The cushions will darken and get yucky looking with age and being left out in the air even if it is not use. I accidentally left a nasal pillow out of its little baggy in my dresser drawer and in 6 months it was so nasty looking that if I hadn't known it was never used I would have tossed it. It worked fine but looked horrible. I would probably have trouble using a yucky looking cushion coming from someone I didn't know. Part of my brain would do the visual thing and other other part would say "you can kill the germs" but the visual thing would likely win out if I was going to be using the mask long term. For a quick trial...a good cleaning would be sufficient for me. Headgear...can easily be cleaned but sometimes if used a lot might be rather stretched out. I am not so picky about yucky looking headgear.