Head Gear Question

[Teresalf]

I have an Airfit F10 and the lower strap causes pressure and pain on the back of my head. I don't rachet it down, only enough as to not cause leaks, I even put a foam pad between the strap and my head but I wake up with a headache and pain. So I'm looking to buy a cpap mask that has a more comfortable strap, any suggestions? Thanks.

[DoninOrlando]

If your actual mask works I would try to make the current one work, and improve the headgear. Easier to improve headgear than totally switch to another mask.Try strap pads by Pad-A-Cheek to cushion current straps or replace with Softcap Headgear if it fits your mask. I use both a soft cap and strap cushions. Very comfortable.

[LSAT]

http://padacheek.com has strap pads for most masks

[chunkyfrog]

I wonder if you have the correct SIZE of headgear.
The blue comes in small, medium, and large, while the pink comes in one size--
equivalent to the small in blue, but labeled "standard".
A too large headgear will sit too far down on the head, causing neck pain.
Even the "small" size may not fit every petite head.

[Cannuck 1]

I'm just refreshing some ideas that other cpap users have mentioned, wash the head gear in hot water and let dry.( it tends to go back to original approx.)
When you mentioned headache, make sure that the vent on mask is clean also( clean mask hose in hotwater and a little hand soap and lightly brush the inside mesh of exhaust, rinse well) .
I just started using the p10 mask which is very similar and if you type in "airfit p10 Resmed" on the advanced search topics only menus there is some interesting info.
All the best.

[Pugsy]

Do you have to stay with a full face mask or could you maybe use either a nasal cushion or nasal pillow mask?
The reason I ask is that almost all the full face masks have to use a lower strap of some sort that is going to get awfully close to the area at the base of the skull that you probably are having issues with.
I have a bad arthritic cervical spine and I get headaches with just about any strap that comes in contact with that same area that the F10 lower back strap seems to rest. It just puts a weird torque on my spine that causes the headaches even if not overly tight.

Some nasal cushion masks don't require that type of lower back strap and pretty much all the nasal pillow masks don't need that sort of strap placement.

Now if you just have to be using a full face mask for some reason then that is going to really limit your mask choices because they all will need some sort of lower strap to anchor the bottom of the mask.
With all that being said and considering my past history of similar lower back strap issues I recently had a chance to try the new Respironics Amara View full face mask and I was able to successfully sleep the night with that mask and not have any headache or neck pain issues. Whether it will work for you ...I don't know but it might be worth trying. It uses a nasal cradle type of cushion that fits under the nostrils instead of over the bridge of the nose area.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

I have never seen or tried the AirFit F10 full face mask though. It wasn't available back when I was trying full face masks at my DME office when I first started therapy and those type of masks that go over the nasal bridge area don't interest me at all so I haven't want to try that type. The Amara View looked interesting so I tried it just for fun...and was surprised that it worked fairly well and didn't mess with my neck.

[JDS74]

If you get totally stuck on a conventional mask (conventional is better).
The Oracle mask doesn't require head gear.

[Guest]

I have been experiencing the same neck problems with my F10. Its squeezing my neck muscles, and my neck is cracking when I move it. I read the extensive advice available on a previous post here on the Oracle oral mask,I am strongly considering ordering it as soon as my insurance date comes around soon.

[JDS74]

If you do, please read my post with link below.
Feel free to ask any questions. It's a big step.

[Teresalf]

Do you have to stay with a full face mask or could you maybe use either a nasal cushion or nasal pillow mask?
The reason I ask is that almost all the full face masks have to use a lower strap of some sort that is going to get awfully close to the area at the base of the skull that you probably are having issues with.
I have a bad arthritic cervical spine and I get headaches with just about any strap that comes in contact with that same area that the F10 lower back strap seems to rest. It just puts a weird torque on my spine that causes the headaches even if not overly tight.

Some nasal cushion masks don't require that type of lower back strap and pretty much all the nasal pillow masks don't need that sort of strap placement.

Now if you just have to be using a full face mask for some reason then that is going to really limit your mask choices because they all will need some sort of lower strap to anchor the bottom of the mask.
With all that being said and considering my past history of similar lower back strap issues I recently had a chance to try the new Respironics Amara View full face mask and I was able to successfully sleep the night with that mask and not have any headache or neck pain issues. Whether it will work for you ...I don't know but it might be worth trying. It uses a nasal cradle type of cushion that fits under the nostrils instead of over the bridge of the nose area.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

I have never seen or tried the AirFit F10 full face mask though. It wasn't available back when I was trying full face masks at my DME office when I first started therapy and those type of masks that go over the nasal bridge area don't interest me at all so I haven't want to try that type. The Amara View looked interesting so I tried it just for fun...and was surprised that it worked fairly well and didn't mess with my neck.

Thank you everyone for your great advice. Pugsy thanks for the info on the fact that all full face masks need that lower strap, it narrowed it down for me to go with a nasal mask. I purchased the Dreamwear nasal and got it with lightening speed from Cpap. com Wow what a difference it made, no pressure on that neck area as the strap is much higher. I think the problem is solved. By the way I am a mouth breather but have been using the chin up strips, a little expensive ongoing but ya gotta do whatever it takes. Thanks all!

[mouthbreather72]

I have been experiencing the same neck problems with my F10. Its squeezing my neck muscles, and my neck is cracking when I move it. I read the extensive advice available on a previous post here on the Oracle oral mask,I am strongly considering ordering it as soon as my insurance date comes around soon.

My second mask, which I used for about a year, was the Oracle. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED that mask. You can roll around without getting leaks. This was the only mask that I never tore off in the middle of the night. There was something about sliding it into my mouth and turning on the machine that made me feel safe and in my own little world.

Unfortunately, I had to stop using it because the nose plugs were actually stretching the size of my nostrils. It came with large and small. I used the small, but they were still too big. I actually tried to use snorkeling clips, which squeeze your nostrils shut, just to be able to keep using the Oracle. Alas, they didn't work. If the Oracle came with extra-small nose plugs, I would still be using it today.