FFM advice wanted - update with dreamwear flap question

[Berks]

Hi

I just made this long thoughtful post with all sorts of helpful background information that was unceremoniously deleted. Don't you hate when that happens? Instead of trying to write out a whole other long post, I thought I'd just cut to the chase a bit more and hope any of you have some insight for me.

I want to try a FFM (explanation was deleted). Some things I think I really care about are no forehead strap, as quiet as possible, and being able to sleep on both my back and my sides. I've been looking at the Airfit F20, AirTouch F20, Dreamwear FFM, some other hybrid masks, etc. I'm overwhelmed with choices. Is there a reason I should consider one over others? Is there one that's known for being quieter? One that just simply won't work if you sleep on your side? Any reason I should or should not get the "for her" version of any FFM? I currently wear a small nasal pillow but don't know if that translates into needing a small FFM mask and don't know if a small regular or small "for her" is substantially different.

Any thoughts on why I should try one mask over another would be great. I realize people's opinions on this are extremely subjective but I'm suffering from paradox of choice to an insane degree right now and would love to have a reason to pull the trigger on one in particular.

Thank you!

[raisedfist]

The new dreamwear full face allows you to sleep in varying positions. With the F&P Simplus and other masks like it, I find you are rather restricted on sleep positions.

[Julie]

Go to Cpappillow.com for a different option allowing you to sleep on your side with a FF mask.

[Berks]

The new dreamwear full face allows you to sleep in varying positions. With the F&P Simplus and other masks like it, I find you are rather restricted on sleep positions.

Thanks! I'm really intrigued by the Dreamwear FFM. I really like my nasal pillows and like the idea of having my nose free...

So the air doesn't get pinched off when you turn on your side? I would have thought it would with the air coming through the face straps.

Also with the air coming through on your face - is it noisy?

[klm49]

Go to Cpappillow.com for a different option allowing you to sleep on your side with a FF mask.

Julie, Your link is no good. Domain is for sale....

[MrsRinPDX]

I would recommend the AirFIt F20 over the AirTouch F20 because the AIrFit is easier to clean and I didn't see much of an improvement in seal with the AirTouch. They use the same headgear. Nothing on the forehead. No problems with side sleeping with me.

Best wishes in your hunt,
MrsRinPDX

[weroberts75]

The new dreamwear full face allows you to sleep in varying positions. With the F&P Simplus and other masks like it, I find you are rather restricted on sleep positions.

Thanks! I'm really intrigued by the Dreamwear FFM. I really like my nasal pillows and like the idea of having my nose free...

So the air doesn't get pinched off when you turn on your side? I would have thought it would with the air coming through the face straps.

Also with the air coming through on your face - is it noisy?

I get plenty of air side-sleeping with the DreamWear FFM, but my pressure is set at 7 to 11.
A few people have mentioned that the DreamWear FFM might not work well for high-pressure users.

The air coming through the frame is like white noise for me. It's noticeable but not too noisy.
My wife (who does not use CPAP) says that my DreamWear full face mask is very quiet, and she is a pretty light sleeper.
I've been using the DreamWear FFM for six weeks now with no major issues.

After two years of struggling with CPAP mostly alone in a separate room, my wife and I are finally at a point where sharing a bed is becoming the norm.
That may seem like a little thing in light of the health benefits of CPAP, but for me that's the main reason I'm here.
It's a bit surreal that I can finally just enjoy sleep and move on to the next chapter of life.

[LSAT]

Hi

I just made this long thoughtful post with all sorts of helpful background information that was unceremoniously deleted. Don't you hate when that happens? Instead of trying to write out a whole other long post, I thought I'd just cut to the chase a bit more and hope any of you have some insight for me.

I want to try a FFM (explanation was deleted). Some things I think I really care about are no forehead strap, as quiet as possible, and being able to sleep on both my back and my sides. I've been looking at the Airfit F20, AirTouch F20, Dreamwear FFM, some other hybrid masks, etc. I'm overwhelmed with choices. Is there a reason I should consider one over others? Is there one that's known for being quieter? One that just simply won't work if you sleep on your side? Any reason I should or should not get the "for her" version of any FFM? I currently wear a small nasal pillow but don't know if that translates into needing a small FFM mask and don't know if a small regular or small "for her" is substantially different.

Any thoughts on why I should try one mask over another would be great. I realize people's opinions on this are extremely subjective but I'm suffering from paradox of choice to an insane degree right now and would love to have a reason to pull the trigger on one in particular.

Thank you!

You have already received 3 different recomondations...it's impossible for anyone to give you a realistic recomondation because everyone's face and circumstances are different. Go to cpap.com...click on FF masks and read the hundreds of comments on each mask.

[Berks]

So I got the dreamwear ffm to try out tonight bit specifically says not to block the big holes in the front of the mask but when I exhale the flap close it off... Is that unsafe? It seems like the carbon dioxide is supposed to go out those holes but doesn't when the flap closes...

Thoughts? Help?

[wm_hess]

So I got the dreamwear ffm to try out tonight bit specifically says not to block the big holes in the front of the mask but when I exhale the flap close it off... Is that unsafe? It seems like the carbon dioxide is supposed to go out those holes but doesn't when the flap closes...

Thoughts? Help?

You're probably hearing the anti-asphyxiation valves closing. When your machine first turns on, they close. If you should have a power failure while sleeping, pressure is lost, and the valves open, allowing you to continue breathing.

-Bill

[weroberts75]

So I got the dreamwear ffm to try out tonight bit specifically says not to block the big holes in the front of the mask but when I exhale the flap close it off... Is that unsafe? It seems like the carbon dioxide is supposed to go out those holes but doesn't when the flap closes...

Thoughts? Help?

Those big holes are only for taking air in when you aren't hooked up to the machine or if your power goes off.

The carbon dioxide is expelled through the little holes on the front of the mask and through the vent at the top-of-the-head connection.

[Zmartha]

fwiw, I just wrote on another post that it took me about 4 months to get used to cpap and i believe the new mask i changed to had a lot to do with it. It is a Dreamware ffm. But i know it all depends on face shape, etc., also.

[Berks]

You're probably hearing the anti-asphyxiation valves closing. When your machine first turns on, they close. If you should have a power failure while sleeping, pressure is lost, and the valves open, allowing you to continue breathing.

-Bill

Those big holes are only for taking air in when you aren't hooked up to the machine or if your power goes off.

The carbon dioxide is expelled through the little holes on the front of the mask and through the vent at the top-of-the-head connection.

Makes sense. Thank you! I appreciate both of your responses!!

fwiw, I just wrote on another post that it took me about 4 months to get used to cpap and i believe the new mask i changed to had a lot to do with it. It is a Dreamware ffm. But i know it all depends on face shape, etc., also.

Thanks! I'm going to try it tonight for the first time!