New Full Face Mask

[quilterB]

Well I have been at this for about 6 weeks now. I am not seeing a difference in the way I feel, but I guess I am making progress because I can now keep my mask on for 7 or 8 hours. This leads to my question. I started with a Mirage FF but had great difficulty with the leakage. I am now using a flexifit 431 and having more success. My problem is that even though I start out fine, as the night progresses I get more leaks. I am still very aware of the mask (am very envious of those who say they don't even know it is there) and I perspire a lot around the mask. This leads to small leaks (not as bad as the Mirage) as the night progresses. I am thinking of ordering a second mask and would like input from people on FF masks they are happy with. I wonder specifically about the ComfortFull and the Oracle.

Thanks again for the help.

[Goofproof]

leakage. I am now using a flexifit 431 and having more success. My problem is that even though I start out fine, as the night progresses I get more leaks. I perspire a lot around the mask. This leads to small leaks as the night progresses.
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): mirage, oracle

Same problem, the 431 seems to not make as much noise, but my AHI goes up slightly. last night I started back with the 431, much less leaking. If I could cool the room to 64 degrees I could do much better but the A?C and wife can't take it. I could get a better A/cC, but wives are too expencive to change. Jim

[MadDogz]

Hi quilterB

I also use the F&P full face mask. I have three other masks but I really like this one the most - not sure why! I, too get leaks, and sometime wake up several times a night with them. I usually don't have any problems getting it to seal back up again, though. This is what I do:

I lift the mask away from my face a little, then put it back down and mush it around a little. That seems to make it seal right back up again. I am also using the smallest membrane - make sure the one you are using is the right size for you. Good luck!

Terri

[Linda3032]

This must have been a horrible 6 weeks for you. Hopefully, it will get better.

I suggest you back and read this thread you started. Have you considered trying the option of the nasal pillows? Again, all of us were mouth breathers prior to therapy - that doesn't mean you still are one. And many mouth breathers find taping preferable to full face masks. Here is the thread again:

viewtopic.php?t=9879&highlight=

And lastly, if you are determined to stick with the full face mask, you might try the "tincture of benzoin" trick. Paint some on your mask, let it mostly dry, and it will be very tacky - enough to stick to your face. That might help. Just do a search for "tincture" and you will come up with the thread.

Good Luck and hang in there.

[Rastaman]

Interesting. Is this the Ultra Mirage FF?

[Linda3032]

Quilterb,

The Oracle doesn't have a good success rate - it gets bad reviews from what I have read.

There is a new "Hybrid" mask out that one of our forum memers is currently "test driving". It appears to be less invasive, and quite stable on the face. It is spendy, however.

Here's the site:

viewtopic.php?t=10387

[quilterB]

Yes Rastaman, I did use the Mirage Ultra FF. Just too leaky and loud for me.
QuilterB

[chdurie2]

i think i may be slowly becoming a comfortfull convert. i say slowly because I have been reluctant to give up my UMFF, in spite of the fact that it sometimes leaks around the lower mouth area. i also have an F&P 431, but i find the F&P makes me sweaty around the mouth area, and it could have the same leak problem. I fixed, or so I thought, my UMFF by applying moleskin to the lower mouth area. i have just thought of my UMFF as my security blanket.

When I went to the sleep center for a 5year tune up sleep test nine days ago, the sleep tech took one look in my bag at my UMFF with applied moleskin and asked if I would like to try a different mask. Not one to turn down a free mask offer, I asked for the Comfortfull 2. They didn't have the "2" in small so he gave me the regular Comfortfull and the Comfortfull 2 in medium, since his first thought was the small was too small. I ended up using the regular Comfortfull for the sleep test.

I don't have the same leak problems in the mouth area with the Comfortfull because the lower part of the mask narrows at the chin area. The Comfortfull 2 has softer silicone that touches the skin--like Activa silicone. Both the regular and the 2 have a double layer at the edges that seem to protect against leaks very well. The Comfortfull 2 is "more mask" meaning heavier, but that may be because it is a larger size. For some reason, I am "drooling" on one side of the Comfortfull 2 - I can see what seems to be a dried saliva mark, and I can feel saliva accumulating, but again, that may be because of the larger size.

I don't like the way the Comfortfull 2 attaches. It is a pain in the butt when you have to take it off and put it back on again. UMFF got it right with that attachment. I also don't like the headgear as much, although you might. it is lighter weight and feels flimsier.

But after nine days, I have to say even the regular Comfortfull is a better fit. I have taken neither Comfortfull 2 off in the middle of the night. Not surprised, as I thought I was over that phase. The other nite I missed my UMFF so I wore it to sleep. Surprised to wake up in a.m. with the mask on my bed. So Comfortfull, you might be here to stay. (And I may ask insurance to buy a Comfortfull 2 in small, although honestly I'm not sure the re-design makes a big difference.)

Caroline