Fisher & Paykel 432 FF Mask

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:21 am

I paid a visit to my DME yesterday to look for an alternative full-face mask. My Comfortfull 2 just hasn't worked as well for me as it has for many other folks.

The one I was most impressed with was the Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 431A. It felt very light and comfortable and I liked the way it sets just under your chin instead of pressing in on your lower teeth. I've read several reviews here and at cpap.com and, like all masks, the 431A seems to work well for many people, though certainly not all.

I was just about ready to begin the process for my insurance to purchase one of these masks when I noticed that Fisher & Paykel is launching what appears to be the next generation of this mask -- the 432. The newer model is considerably more expensive than the 431A.

I'm wondering whether anyone has actually seen one of the new 432s or even done some field testing of it. The launch date is supposed to be in October.

Thanks!

OCO

CRMW · Post by **CRMW** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:11 am

I ordered a 432 last night from cpap.com, it will ship on Oct 6.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:24 am

CRMW, please give us a report after you get it. Alot of people seem hopeful about this mask.

Brenda

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 9:48 am

It still has the same "forehead spike" design as the 431, though! I love my 431 except for that... one small little area gets ALL the pressure that needs to be applied to the forehead, leading to redness there, and God help you if you get a pimple or something in that area... the "forehead spike" will rub and grind against it each night until it leaves a scar.

Why, oh why, couldn't F&P use the kind of forehead rest used by the Ultra Mirage full-face mask? Nice and wide, shaped like the letter T, not the letter I. Heck, it goes across much of the forehead, distributing the force beautifully.

Anyone have any idea why they stuck with the "spike"? Argghh, and I was hoping they'd eliminate it in the next version... guess not!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 10:03 am

Actually, has anyone tried to make a wide adapter piece that attaches to the "forehead spike" and distributes the load across the forehead? This would essentially convert the forehead rest on the 431 to a wide one, like the Ultra Mirage. I'm visualizing a piece of plastic or whatever that's nice and wide and curved like the forehead, with padding on the concave (inner) side, and in the center of the convex (outer) side would be a tab thing (just like the pitiful, tiny stock pad has) that locks into the same attachment slot on the "forehead spike" that the stock pad does... except now instead of a tiny, pathetic pad, it's a wide padded bar locking into the spike.

Actually, I might try to make one myself. Wood might even work. Pad the concave side with some foam or whatever, and whittle in the locking tab on the convex side.

Of course, I'm probably missing something (for example lateral head rotation is handled below by the glider strap, but may cause this new thing to keep the mask from moving the necessary amount up top, etc.). But it may not be a bad idea to try.

Anyone have any other homebrewed "spike mitigation" techniques? Because if you like the 431/2 family, it looks like we're stuck with the spike for quite awhile longer.

salmon · Post by **salmon** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 5:51 pm

I have a 432, and it has a foam cushion underneath the silicone seal. This is designed to alleviate the amount of pressure required to get a good seal, the foam provides rigidity so the unsupported silicone doesnt mash down on your face to get a seal (as in the 431). Although this mask feels absolutely fantastic on, after a night of sleeping in it, it gouged out the top of my nose due to the rigidity. Even with it loosened as far as is possible and still sealing, I found that after a night or two, I had a brutal indentation, and eventual rubbing the bridge of my nose raw. I tried the medium and then large, they both really hurt.
I have gone back to the 431 with no problems, the medium cushion fits lower on my nose, and doesn;t seem to irritate it. The problem is the 431 can leak alot, and I spend 30 min just getting set on my face properly. The 432 sealed instantly, but isn't worth the pain and discomfort.
Salmon

nomad · Post by **nomad** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 6:55 pm

Salmon,

What size is the 431 you use?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Oct 01, 2006 6:52 am

I used a medium, caused irritation, went to a large, wouldn't seal properly, so went back to a medium. Currently using the 431 medium seal, and seems to be working well. I still believe the large 432 will work, but I need to use a bandaid or moleskin to protect my nose. The dropping of my jaw when my mouth opens at night is the issue I think, it applies more pressure pulling down on the bridge of my nose.

salmon

Both_Sides_Now · Post by **Both_Sides_Now** » Mon Oct 02, 2006 4:55 am

I got a decent fit with my 432 by judicious application of a sharp knife blade to the offending grey foam around the top of the mask. Removed enough to stop the irritation caused by a fat bridge (or is that widthly challenged in PC).

I prefer the 432 'cos it is way more robust that the Resmed UMFF, and I really prefer the single forehead pad, instead of the sticky out thingys that Resmed puts on their masks.

The only real issue is mask leak if you drop your chin towards your chest. This was a sleeping on the back problem with a firmer pillow.

My 2c

salmon · Post by **salmon** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:34 pm

Great idea, will try it. There is no doubt that the 432 is a better mask than the 431 overall, the seal with the foam is a huge improvement. A little tweaking is probably the answer given everyones different facial structures.

Salmon

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 2:57 pm

Thanks to everyone for your input. I've asked my sleep doc for a script for the 432, as my insurance provider requires.

Still seeking the perfect mask,

OCO