Re: Weird Problem for Me - ALL GOOD NOW!

Madalot · Post by **Madalot** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:11 am

I've been doing this since late 2009 and have ALWAYS used the F&P 431. Have loved it.

Losing weight (72+ pounds at this point) has thinned my face. The 431 is cutting badly into my nose bridge to the point I've got a blister like sore on it. I've switched the small cushion but it's still doing it.

My RT brought me an F&P Simplus to try and I like it but I can't keep it from leaking. I have to have it so tight that it's hurting the side of my face. Even then, I have to put my finger on a specific point to keep it from "mask farting." If I lay there with my finger on the right spot, it's fine, but have you ever tried to sleep with your finger on a specific point in the mask cushion? Doesn't work too well...lol

I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point. I have a closet full of 431's (my husband uses it too) -- and neither of these masks is working too well for me.

Ugh -- I hate to go through this again...lol

49er · Post by **49er** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:26 am

Madalot wrote:I've been doing this since late 2009 and have ALWAYS used the F&P 431. Have loved it.

Losing weight (72+ pounds at this point) has thinned my face. The 431 is cutting badly into my nose bridge to the point I've got a blister like sore on it. I've switched the small cushion but it's still doing it.

My RT brought me an F&P Simplus to try and I like it but I can't keep it from leaking. I have to have it so tight that it's hurting the side of my face. Even then, I have to put my finger on a specific point to keep it from "mask farting." If I lay there with my finger on the right spot, it's fine, but have you ever tried to sleep with your finger on a specific point in the mask cushion? Doesn't work too well...lol

I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point. I have a closet full of 431's (my husband uses it too) -- and neither of these masks is working too well for me.

Ugh -- I hate to go through this again...lol

Hi Madalot,

I forget, are you limited to full face masks? Sorry you are dealing with this.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 11:28 am

First, a huge high five on the weight loss!
I don't know which other full face masks you've tried, but I found the P-R Comfortgel, (Blue)
though heavy, is softer, and due to a deeper cushion, conforms to more face shapes.
Of course, if you need a below the chin fit, your options are limited.
F-P, and a couple others are all I can think of.
Edit: Hans Rudolph, and the Innomed original hybrid mask.
(Dagnabbit, I thought there were more--there really should be)
DH always pulled his Fitlife down over his chin. It made a darling wave in his beard.

Madalot · Post by **Madalot** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 12:20 pm

49er wrote:I forget, are you limited to full face masks? Sorry you are dealing with this.

Well, I have always used a FFM because I am a terrible mouth breather. My husband and kids make fun of me when I doze off in my recliner because my mouth falls open. My husband says it looks like I'm ready to catch flies!!! LOL

chunkyfrog wrote:First, a huge high five on the weight loss!
I don't know which other full face masks you've tried, but I found the P-R Comfortgel, (Blue)
though heavy, is softer, and due to a deeper cushion, conforms to more face shapes.
Of course, if you need a below the chin fit, your options are limited.
F-P, and a couple others are all I can think of.
Edit: Hans Rudolph, and the Innomed original hybrid mask.
(Dagnabbit, I thought there were more--there really should be)
DH always pulled his Fitlife down over his chin. It made a darling wave in his beard.

Thank you. I'm still working on it and as long as I behave myself, I continue to drop weight SLOWLY.

I haven't tried anything recently but I tried about all of them in 2009/2010. Sadly, my new RT is very sick so I'm not sure how much help I am going to get from him any time soon.

jnk... · Post by **jnk...** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 12:47 pm

Madalot wrote:. . . I have to have it so tight that it's hurting . . .

Why so tight? I thought most modern full-face masks needed to be counter-intuitively loose in order to inflate enough to prevent leaks.

Madalot · Post by **Madalot** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 12:55 pm

jnk... wrote:
Madalot wrote:. . . I have to have it so tight that it's hurting . . .
Why so tight? I thought most modern full-face masks needed to be counter-intuitively loose in order to inflate enough to prevent leaks.

I know! But if I leave it loose, it "farts" like crazy before I even lay down. Once down, oy -- it's horrible.

I've got a sore spot, right above my mouth, going up the area where the Simplus hits -- I used the 431 last night and the spot from the Simplus is still sore.

We did our monthly "washing of hoses, filters, masks, tanks, etc" and I'm washed both masks. I'm probably going to try the Simplus again tonight and try loosening it. Maybe there's a "sweet spot" I just haven't found yet -- loose enough to be comfortable, but tight enough to avoid leaks and "farting" --

Zoowabi · Post by **Zoowabi** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:07 pm

I am in the same boat as you, I have lost about 60+ lbs, and currently have a simplus, although I have consistently had issues with sores on my nose and sides of my mouth. What I have found to work out the best is a regimental face & mask cleaning before bed, and I will use an astringent on my face, as well as apply a small waterproof band-aid to the bridge of my nose. Since I have been doing this combination, I do not get the sores on the bridge of my nose, and the mask is actually sealing better on my nose as well due to the band-aid.. Just make sure it is the thicker style waterproof ones, as they are made of a thin foam which really helps.

Here is a link to amazon for the ones I use: http://amzn.to/1SVX4OK

I have tried the Gecko pads, but they are terrible.. much too bulky, and do not stick to your skin very well.. they are also really expensive for what they are. Hope it helps.

Madalot · Post by **Madalot** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:10 pm

Zoowabi wrote:I am in the same boat as you, I have lost about 60+ lbs, and currently have a simplus, although I have consistently had issues with sores on my nose and sides of my mouth. What I have found to work out the best is a regimental face & mask cleaning before bed, and I will use an astringent on my face, as well as apply a small waterproof band-aid to the bridge of my nose. Since I have been doing this combination, I do not get the sores on the bridge of my nose, and the mask is actually sealing better on my nose as well due to the band-aid.. Just make sure it is the thicker style waterproof ones, as they are made of a thin foam which really helps.

Here is a link to amazon for the ones I use: http://amzn.to/1SVX4OK

I have tried the Gecko pads, but they are terrible.. much too bulky, and do not stick to your skin very well.. they are also really expensive for what they are. Hope it helps.

I have been doing a strict face cleaning regimen from the beginning and I also use an astringent. Initially, the 431 tore my nose bridge up badly so I used plastic bandaids. I tried doing that again when this all started but found it exacerbated the leaking problem. I might look at the bandaids you've suggested. Thank you!

PoolQ · Post by **PoolQ** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 1:32 pm

I used the SimPlus for quite a while. This is what I learned to get it to seal:
1. when you get close, adjust the straps 1/8 inch at a time. It is very sensitive
2. once you turn the machine on, I pulled the mask slightly away from my face to let it inflate and then I let is settle back
3. depending where the leak is, I needed to adjust either the top or bottom straps. You can get the mask to "rock" back and forth and it needs to be "flat" to your face
4. My first reaction to a leak was to tighten the mask. Once I got it crushing my face I would remember and loosen the straps, with this mask loser is sometimes better
5. if the leak was at the bridge of my nose, I would grab the mask and pull it towards my chin to get the top to seal

Okie bipap · Post by **Okie bipap** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 2:11 pm

I use the simplus mask and put a piece of moleskin on my nose at night. I had a problem with a sore nose with a mask I had used prior to the simplus, and my DME recommended the moleskin. She said her husband uses it every night on his nose to keep it from getting sore. So far, it hasn't interfered with the seal of my mask.

Sir NoddinOff · Post by **Sir NoddinOff** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 4:42 pm

I tried a lot of masks including the 431 (I never got the whole forehead thingy) and finally settled on the ResMed F10 FFM... I'm a big fan of the F10 model and have gotten very minimal leaks and virtually no mask farts in over a year of usage. I do have a normally slim face. I can buy new cushions if I look around for $25, all from the usual suspects. That said, every face is a different face, especially yours now that you're slimmed down!

Iamagolfer · Post by **Iamagolfer** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 5:56 pm

Of all the masks I have tried over the past 20 yrs (I have never, ever been compliant), I am pleasantly surprised that I now have a mask that works for me (at least some nights).

Amara View

I have a very thin nasal bone/bridge of my nose so any mask that sits on my nose has been out of the question. When the therapist recommended this mask and that it was more of a full face mask, I was a bit scared of the claustrophia...but it is super!

otrpu · Post by **otrpu** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 7:53 pm

Madalot,
I love the ResMed F10 FFM. But sometimes I can't get it to seal no matter what I do. Most next successful mask for me has been the RespCARE Hybrid. Has a much smaller mouth seal area. Comes with three sizes pillows. Might take alook at it and see what you think.
Cheers,
otrpu

Stormynights · Post by **Stormynights** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 8:28 pm

Have you tried a cervical collar to help keep your mouth closed? I got the tallest one I could find so maybe it would also keep my neck from going away due to osteoporosis. I think those work a lot better than a chin strap. Wish I could help. It would be so nice if you could use a pillows mask.

Cannuck 1 · Post by **Cannuck 1** » Sun Dec 13, 2015 10:51 pm

Madalot wrote:I've been doing this since late 2009 and have ALWAYS used the F&P 431. Have loved it.

Losing weight (72+ pounds at this point) has thinned my face. The 431 is cutting badly into my nose bridge to the point I've got a blister like sore on it. I've switched the small cushion but it's still doing it.

My RT brought me an F&P Simplus to try and I like it but I can't keep it from leaking. I have to have it so tight that it's hurting the side of my face. Even then, I have to put my finger on a specific point to keep it from "mask farting." If I lay there with my finger on the right spot, it's fine, but have you ever tried to sleep with your finger on a specific point in the mask cushion? Doesn't work too well...lol

I'm not sure what I'm going to do at this point. I have a closet full of 431's (my husband uses it too) -- and neither of these masks is working too well for me.

Ugh -- I hate to go through this again...lol

I had a sore area on nostril from a new pillow for my swift fx, l came across a post were this lady applied Lanolin to her sore area.
So I went out and bought Lansinoh brand name(its lanolin) at the baby section and the stuff works. It will act as a lubricant on silcon and let you heal.
Its safe to use on skin and babys.

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: OSCAR 1.1 software, Rescan 5.9,ceiling pressure max 11CM +Floor Min pressure 8 CM range,EPR-3