How Did you Try Different Masks?

[exersize_freak]

Hi,

I am a new CPAP users and I am having issues with my mask. I am, using the Amarma Full View. I hate the mask. It digs into my skin and also falls off in the middle of the night (after about 5 hrs or sleep). I have it adjusted as loose as I can still get a "happy face" on my CPAP. Basically I was handed a mask in my sleep study and when the home health company delivered my equipment they delivered the same mask, saying that is the one my Dr prescribed and they will auto refill the mask every 3 months. The Home Health company is the only one in my insurance network and they are owned my insurance carrier. I called up my home health company and they just said we will note that you had issues in your record. The homehealth company does not have a physical outlet but sent a technician to my house to set up the equipment. My question is how did you go about trying on different masks?

Thanks

[chunkyfrog]

Mask manufacturers usually give the DME's full credit for try-on masks so that patients can find masks they can use.
If your DME is not doing that, then they are not playing fair, and the mask companies may need to know about it.

[chunkyfrog]

When I realized that playing my insurance company's game was getting me nowhere,
I started ordering masks I was interested in from cpap.com (forum sponsors),
along with return insurance, I was able to test a few masks until I found some I could live with.
In many cases, the insurance was free, but when I had to pay, it was still worth it.

[Sir NoddinOff]

When I was with Apria I got frustrated by lack of cooperation and a lack of choice, so I started looking for new masks and cushions on Ebay and even Craigslist. There's lots around, most of them anywhere from 30% to 60% off retail prices. Often I'd find sales on CPAP.com, our sponsor. Use PayPal etc if you go that route.

[Wulfman...]

Hi,

I am a new CPAP users and I am having issues with my mask. I am, using the Amarma Full View. I hate the mask. It digs into my skin and also falls off in the middle of the night (after about 5 hrs or sleep). I have it adjusted as loose as I can still get a "happy face" on my CPAP. Basically I was handed a mask in my sleep study and when the home health company delivered my equipment they delivered the same mask, saying that is the one my Dr prescribed and they will auto refill the mask every 3 months. The Home Health company is the only one in my insurance network and they are owned my insurance carrier. I called up my home health company and they just said we will note that you had issues in your record. The homehealth company does not have a physical outlet but sent a technician to my house to set up the equipment. My question is how did you go about trying on different masks?

Thanks

I did not. I ordered all of my equipment from CPAP.COM. I did LOTS of research on the various masks before I picked out the one I thought would work. I knew I was a mouth-breather......so I got a full face mask. The mask (ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face) had the characteristic that all parts are replaceable (if they wear out or break) and had a couple of different types of cushions ( "standard" and/or "shallow" ). Headgear has four clips with Velcro attachment tabs which makes it easy to attach, detach and adjust.
I have a number of these masks in two different sizes (M & L) and am currently using the very first one I started with (with a replacement cushion and headgear). Extremely comfortable and give good therapy.
Out of curiosity, I've tried a few others in subsequent years but none of them came close to my first one.
My advice is to do lots of research before you decide on which one you want to try.

Den

.

[Mudrock63]

The sleep center sent me home with the nasal pillow mask used during my titration study. That didn't work well for me. When I actually got the machine, my DME showed me several samples and fitted me with a full-face mask.....my choice. My insurance covers a new mask every three months, so when my first three-month period was up, I asked for and received a nasal mask. I ended up with two because she sent me home with a medium and a large. Of the three, the large size nasal mask has performed the best. Although I have to strap it on pretty tight as I am at high pressures. I just like it a little better than the FFM. Am going to give the nasal pillows one more try at some point. But right now I don't want to risk a good night's sleep.