Eeny, meeny, miny mask

[AlbertaFog]

After a trial with a sleep clinic I've decided to go it alone and buy a DreamStation online, but choosing a machine seems small doings compared to sorting out which mask to buy.

For most of the trial I used a nasal pillow but discovered I was too active to keep it on without staples (no, not really) so towards the end I switched to a nasal mask, which gave better results but found I was having mouth puffs. I'm assuming I didn't have them with the pillow because it was leaking most of the time. At that point the trial ended and I wasn't able to try a full mask, but reading here the 'puffs' seem to indicate that I maybe should have a full mask.

Naturally I'd rather not, so I'm waffling a bit with the decision - if I decide to go 'full' I've been looking at the Amara View and would appreciate any pro/con experiences or alternate recommendations.

If I stay with a nasal mask and live with the mouth puffs (is that even advisable?) are there any that might be better? Has anyone successfully managed mouth puffs with a combination of nasal mask some other tactic (separate chin strap / tape etc. )?

Thanks for any comments

[chunkyfrog]

Sleep studies are hit or miss for mask selection. They frequently know squat about mask fitting.
Ignore all that happened/what they said, and go for what is likely to be comfortable for you.

[WearyOne]

You could try one of these masks. They cover the mouth and have pillows, etc., for the nose, but they don't go up over the nose or up further on your face like regular full-face masks do.

Amara View
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

Hybrid
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

Liberty
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

At my sleep study they used a nasal prong-type mask. I knew right away THAT wasn't going to work. I tried several different kinds, but settled on the Hybrid and have been using that almost entirely since I started (10 years ago). I occasionally use the Amara View, but that doesn't work as well for me.

[AlbertaFog]

Sleep studies are hit or miss for mask selection. They frequently know squat about mask fitting.
Ignore all that happened/what they said, and go for what is likely to be comfortable for you.

Thanks, I'm thinking along those lines

[AlbertaFog]

You could try one of these masks. They cover the mouth and have pillows, etc., for the nose, but they don't go up over the nose or up further on your face like regular full-face masks do.

Amara View
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

Hybrid
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

Liberty
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

At my sleep study they used a nasal prong-type mask. I knew right away THAT wasn't going to work. I tried several different kinds, but settled on the Hybrid and have been using that almost entirely since I started (10 years ago). I occasionally use the Amara View, but that doesn't work as well for me.

I appreciate the info, wasn't aware of the 2nd and 3rd, so I'm off to browse. Thanks!

[ChicagoGranny]

Hybrid
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

I feel like the Innomed/RespCare Hybrid has been a lifesaver for me. It's been my mask for over five years. Gramps feels the same about it. He switched to this mask when it first came out. I believe that was 11 years ago.

This mask takes a little time standing in front of the mirror to get it adjusted properly. But, once you get it right, it holds the adjustment for weeks if not months.

[WearyOne]

Hybrid
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

I feel like the Innomed/RespCare Hybrid has been a lifesaver for me. It's been my mask for over five years. Gramps feels the same about it. He switched to this mask when it first came out. I believe that was 11 years ago.

This mask takes a little time standing in front of the mirror to get it adjusted properly. But, once you get it right, it holds the adjustment for weeks if not months.

I so agree with you! I could never get any other mask to work for me. And the tip I read on here about cutting off the chin flap was one of the best ideas I've used. It worked okay for me before then, but I was getting a lot of leaks. Cutting the chin flap off solved that.

[ChicagoGranny]

I so agree with you! I could never get any other mask to work for me. And the tip I read on here about cutting off the chin flap was one of the best ideas I've used. It worked okay for me before then, but I was getting a lot of leaks. Cutting the chin flap off solved that.

Yes, we both use them without chin flap. When the mask first came out, Gramps called the inventor who was president of the company at that time. He told him that he liked the concept of the mask, but the flap was a problem and made the mask feel hot. The inventor told him to just cut the flap off. That did it! The mask has worked well ever since.

I've also seen some people here that like the chin flap and find it helps keep the jaw from dropping. That was the idea of flap design. BlackSpinner was one of those that liked the chin flap. I haven't seen a post from her in a long time.

[compujas]

Hybrid
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

I feel like the Innomed/RespCare Hybrid has been a lifesaver for me. It's been my mask for over five years. Gramps feels the same about it. He switched to this mask when it first came out. I believe that was 11 years ago.

This mask takes a little time standing in front of the mirror to get it adjusted properly. But, once you get it right, it holds the adjustment for weeks if not months.

How different is it from the Amara View? I've been using the Amara View since I started (just over a month ago), and it's been good so far for me (though I would like to try a smaller nasal mask, like the Dreamwear, or maybe a nasal cushion, but I won't hijack the thread). The RespCare Hybrid looks basically the same except instead of a flat piece with a hole that goes under your nose, it has nasal cushions. Does that really make that much of a difference, or is it just personal preference? Even if it's personal preference, given that I have no experience with nasal cushions, I don't get that there would be a difference.

[palerider]

Thanks for any comments

I don't have anything helpful as far as finding a mask, that's such a personal thing all I can come up with is "keep trying till you find something"... but I just wanted to say... I love the subject line

[ChicagoGranny]

The RespCare Hybrid looks basically the same except instead of a flat piece with a hole that goes under your nose, it has nasal cushions.

PaleRider is right - it's personal preference and maybe a bit of what fits your anatomy.

As far as the Hybrid, I started out with a nasal pillow mask which sealed well for me. So, it was an easy transition to the Hybrid with the nasal pillows.

Whichever mask you try, be sure to give it a good trial - it may take some time to get it sized and adjusted properly and learn how to use it. Some tips:

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly. (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- If you use a low ramp pressure or a low minimum pressure, you should fit and adjust your mask at the higher pressures it is operating at for most of the night. You would temporarily change the machine pressure settings while you do the fitting and adjusting. It's best to do this well before bedtime before you are tired and ready for sleep. Don't forget to change your settings back to the ones you prefer.

- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask. Notice how your hose is positioned between machine and mask. It should be positioned to minimize any pull on the mask. Hose management is an individual practice. How it is done depends on the mask, the position of the machine, your sleeping position and other factors specific to the individual.

- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.

- Start a thread in cpaptalk asking for help. Subject: Need Help with Mask xxxxxx

- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

Note: Links to just some of the mask manufacturers' instructional videos can be found on the forum host's website - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php and https://www.youtube.com/

- CG

[Pugsy]

How different is it from the Amara View?

I have tried (some years ago) the Innomed Hybrid and also a year or so ago, the Amara View. In fact I kept the Amara View because I was successfully able to sleep decently with it. I wasn't so successful with the Hybrid but to be fair that was many years ago back when I was first starting therapy (maybe 6 months in) and I hadn't had the opportunity to try as many masks as I have now. So I have more experience and I might do better with the Hybrid now. Don't know and really have to desire to try since I still haven't needed the Amara View (I still prefer nasal pillow masks).

If my memory serves me right the Hybrid seemed to have a little big bigger footprint on my face but not hugely bigger.
The Hybrid had me in tears and I threw it across the room but eventually retrieved it and got it to work. I used it one night to never touch it again. The Amara View was much easier to fit and seal but again part of it may be more of an experience thing.
I ended up using the View about a week to make sure it was a "keeper" which means I might use it again some time in the future. If I don't keep something it means I don't think there's much chance of me ever using it and it might as well go find a new home where it might be used.

The Hybrid is a pricey experiment when buying out of pocket. Better experiment if your DME has one and insurance pays and the DME will let you return if if it doesn't work out. My DME lets me do that if I try a new mask. I can return it and swap it for something else within 60 days of getting it.
It's one of the few nice things I can say about my DME. Most DMEs won't offer that nice of a mask swapping policy.

Again like everyone says when it comes to masks...YMMV and one person's trash is another person's treasure and the only way to know which way it is going to be for you is to try it.

[WearyOne]

Again like everyone says when it comes to masks...YMMV and one person's trash is another person's treasure and the only way to know which way it is going to be for you is to try it.

Yep, and unfortunately it can be an expensive ordeal. The experience you had with throwing the Hybrid across the room, I had with almost every other mask I tried! Other than the Hybrid, the only two that worked well enough to keep were the Amara View and early on the Ultra Mirage FF (but I never use this now). Fortunately, I was able to trade my these-will-never-work masks with folks on here so all was not lost! And even though the Liberty is so similar to the Hybrid, I couldn't stand that mask. It was really painful above my upper lip.

Even though the Hybrid is a bit expensive, it does come with all the different sizes so you don't have to try to figure out what size to buy. I would then trade the sizes I was not using with people on the forum. I am glad I kept a few of the sizes I wasn't using and couldn't trade, because now that I've lost weight, I find that a smaller size in the oral cushion works better than the medium I had been using for years. And I already had them!

Albertafog, It can be frustrating to find one, but just keep trying!

[WearyOne]

I so agree with you! I could never get any other mask to work for me. And the tip I read on here about cutting off the chin flap was one of the best ideas I've used. It worked okay for me before then, but I was getting a lot of leaks. Cutting the chin flap off solved that.

Yes, we both use them without chin flap. When the mask first came out, Gramps called the inventor who was president of the company at that time. He told him that he liked the concept of the mask, but the flap was a problem and made the mask feel hot. The inventor told him to just cut the flap off. That did it! The mask has worked well ever since.

I've also seen some people here that like the chin flap and find it helps keep the jaw from dropping. That was the idea of flap design. BlackSpinner was one of those that liked the chin flap. I haven't seen a post from her in a long time.

I definitely drop my jaw, but rather than the flap keeping it from happening my jaw pushes the flap away from face and then it leaks like crazy. I have a great seal without the flap. So the inventor actually told him to just cut it off. Interesting!