AirFit F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear (USERS)

[fdw]

I just ordered the AirFit F10 Full Face Mask (FFM) with Headgear because I've noticed Im having a lot more mouth leaks. For the last 7 years I've been using the Mirage Activa Nasal CPAP Mask and a chin strap which has virtually NO leaks from the mask.

My question to the AirFit F10 FFM users or any FFM usesr are:

1. Is dry mouth and issue....if not why?
1a. What's preventing you from having a dry mouth?
2. Im a side to side sleeper, is the AirFit F10 mask cover you as an active sleeper?
3. If you've been using FFM for many years whats the percentage of time you have dry mouth (do you have more dental cavities as well)?

Please fill free to comment on me converting to a FFM from a nasal mask w/chin strap.....Pro's/Con's, what to expect.

Thank You

ALL MY CPAP EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES ARE PAID 100% BY ME.

[rbrown3rd]

I've been using a Swift FX for a number of years and thought it was a revolutionary upgrade from the various face masks I used in the beginning of my therapy. I recently got a P10 at a good price and I LOVE it. It has none of the twiddly adjustments of the FX and just works. Right out of the box my medium frame and medium pillows worked perfectly. I really like the P10 and hope you feel the same when you get yours.

I do get a bit of dry mouth with it and have contemplated getting a chin strap although I tried a couple in the past and was never comfortable with them.

I am a restless sleeper and the very flexible hose part of the mask is so flexible that I don't even notice it while sleeping. My old FX had a stiffer hose and it would sometimes wake me up when I would turn over onto it. That doesn't seem to happen with the P10.

[fdw]

I've been using a Swift FX for a number of years and thought it was a revolutionary upgrade from the various face masks I used in the beginning of my therapy. I recently got a P10 at a good price and I LOVE it. It has none of the twiddly adjustments of the FX and just works. Right out of the box my medium frame and medium pillows worked perfectly. I really like the P10 and hope you feel the same when you get yours.

I do get a bit of dry mouth with it and have contemplated getting a chin strap although I tried a couple in the past and was never comfortable with them.

I am a restless sleeper and the very flexible hose part of the mask is so flexible that I don't even notice it while sleeping. My old FX had a stiffer hose and it would sometimes wake me up when I would turn over onto it. That doesn't seem to happen with the P10.

You do realize my question is about a FULL FACE MASK not pillows....right?

[Bobby269]

I used the F10 for awhile with a chin strap. I had no dry mouth. For many years I used the quattro FX. Using a chin strap I had no dry mouth, with out it I had dry mouth. People that can keep their mouth closed will not have dry mouth. Those are the people who can wear the nassle
pillow type masks with no problem.

Using a FFM mask with a chin strap trained me to keep my mouth shut. I now use the P10 nassle pillow mask and like it

[rbrown3rd]

You do realize my question is about a FULL FACE MASK not pillows....right?

Oops. No I did not. I was not awake yet I guess. LOL. Sorry about that fdw.

[Cokomo]

Switched to the F10 from the QFX 4 or 5 months ago. Never had dry mouth with either mask. Have to cinch the F10 fairly tight to prevent leaks and it hurts the back of head/neck. Otherwise, I really like it. The headgear on the QFX also hurt. Padding didn't
help. Good luck.

[fdw]

Switched to the F10 from the QFX 4 or 5 months ago. Never had dry mouth with either mask. Have to cinch the F10 fairly tight to prevent leaks and it hurts the back of head/neck. Otherwise, I really like it. The headgear on the QFX also hurt. Padding didn't
help. Good luck.

Did (do) you use a chin strap to keep you jaw closed? Or is there another reason you not experiencing dry mouth?

Can you explain the pain....are you referring to the headgear causing pain?

[Cokomo]

I have a hard enough time just putting a mask on (for which I take anxiety med) and have never entertained the thought of adding more restrictions, so no chinstrap. When I fall asleep my mouth is closed. Don't know what happens when asleep. Can't wear a nasal mask because air gushes out of my mouth. The pain is caused from the headgear being too tight which I know is a no no but it's the only way it works for me. Often, I feel the pain awakens me in the morning ....or at least I awaken to pain but not always.

[library lady]

I started with Quattro Air FF; several months later switched to the F10. Both use the same cushion, the headgear and frame are different in that there is no forehead arm or strap around top of head. I like the F10 much better. One thing to be aware of with FF mask is that the larger footprint on the face brings a larger surface that leaks. If the straps are too tight or too loose, leaks are abundant. There is a fine line between too tight and too loose, so I use mask liners for that problem, go to http://www.padacheek.com or https://www.cpap.com, or your DME will have them. The brands to look for are Pad-A-Cheek and RemZzzs. Many of the forum members use one or the other of these with success, as they also protect your face or nose bridge from sores or red marks. I tried both products, and like the RemZzzs best.

You spoke of a dry mouth. I had an excessively dry mouth when I first started, and solved the problem by getting a large covered mug with a straw. I filled it half full of water and set it on a small stool a few feet away from the nightstand where the machine is.

Both Quattro Air and F10 have a "quick connect" to the hose port, and when I would wake up at night with cottonmouth I pulled the connector and hose off the mask and took a few sips of water - big gulps during the night might mean more nighttime bathroom trips. In my case, the port is directly opposite my mouth so it was pretty easy to do, but with a flexible straw it could still be done. In the morning there was water at the ready for the big gulps.
After 2 or 3 months I noticed that my mouth wasn't nearly so dry, and I wasn't needing to get up during the night for water. For a long time after that I still got the water ready, but put it on the kitchen counter where I pass it on the way to the bathroom, to get my water then if I need it. Now, I don't even think about getting water ready. Either I've gotten so used to the dry mouth that I don't notice it or I've learned to keep my mouth closed.

[M'ohms]

I used (and still alternate) the QFX and recently wanted to try the F10. At first, I had dry mouth with the F10 that I didn't have with the QFX. I didn't know why. I experimented with the humidity and found that if I set it to the highest setting, my dry mouth went away. I use an ASV, with wildly fluctuating pressures, so I need to tighten my straps a little tighter than is suggested. I tighten the lower straps tighter than the upper straps. This allows the cushion to inflate better around the bridge of my nose and prevent leaking into my eyes. I am a side sleeper and toss and turn all night. The F10 has become my new favorite mask, and on nights when I want a little something different, I go back to my QFX.

[jencat824]

My hubby is a FFM user (I'm not) & he has tried several masks since he began CPAP therapy 2 years ago, all FFM. He loves the AirFit F10 & is a stomach sleeper & experiences no leaks.

The mask before this one was the Full Life mask made by Philips Respironics. He experienced almost no leaks with that mask, but it was a lot more gear, making the mask a lot more work to put on. The F10 is much easier to put on, he can mask up from the bed, not in front of a mirror, like with the Full Life.

Prior to those, he had the Amara, which had him constantly fighting leaks. I think he probably had the wrong size in this one, the DME thought he was a large, we learned by mistake with the Full Life he is actually a medium.

He has tried mask liners & never had much success with them. He just really didn't like them, tried several from Pad-A-Cheek, Remzz & I tried making him one from a T-shirt. I think the mask liners work well for many people, he just didn't think they helped him.

He never has had any dry mouth issues, but has been a mouth breather his whole life. He breathes through his mouth due to nasal obstructions.

Hope this info helps you. I'm a nasal pillow user, but I was never able to use a FFM, prior to pillows, I used a nasal mask for most of my 14 years on CPAP. I had mouth breathing issues, but have resolved these.

Jen