Best FF Masks for High Pressures

[lwieland11]

Hi -

I'm currently on a pressure of 18 w/backrate rate of 12. I use a Simplus mask. I think my doc is going to up the pressure at my next appt. Not sure if the Simplus can handle that. Looking for recommendations for full face masks that can handle a higher pressure. Thank you.

[old dude]

My Simplus can handle it but only if I wrench it down so tight that the bridge of my nose is raw hamburger the next morning.

I know and accept that what I'm about to say goes against popular opinion and advice, but my experience is that there is no magic FFM when it comes to pressure-related leaks. Any time my pressure goes much over 11.5-12 if the mask isn't pretty tight it will leak-and I've tried virtually all of them. I currently have my max pressure set at 14, so when I hit REM I'm gonna get leaks unless the straps are pretty tight. Tight straps are the only sure-fire way for me to control leaks. I'm sorry but that's just a fact.

This may not be your experience and a mask that works for one person may not work for another. You just have to keep trying until you hit on one that is optimal for you and your face.

In a total surprise to me, I'm having fair luck right now with the Dreamwear FFM, but I'm having to keep the straps tight enough that they border on being painful. And to confound things even more, I can have a pretty good leak night one night and abysmal leaks the next. It's elusive; just when I think I've got it licked, I don't.

If our host had offered the free return insurance on masks back when I was trying so many it would have saved me hundreds. But I still worry that their sense of humor would run out if you sent too many back.

Good luck to you!

PS: As several here will tell you, there's something to be said for getting a decent night's sleep at the expense of perfect numbers. If the leaks disturb your sleep, it may be worthwhile to experiment with lower pressures just to see how bad your numbers actually get. I know this to be true but still occasionally need a reality check to follow this advice.

[LSAT]

I have been using the simplus at an average of 13-14 without any problems...I know your pressure is higher, but I am a restless sleeper and I never have a need to readjust or tighten during the night. Just keep using the Simplus until you develop some real problems.

[purple22]

A DME usually has a Respiratory Therapist, who is available to work more closely with a patient (for me, on Medicare for no additional charge). I have seen some who can just glance at my face, and make a good suggestion. Some docs do that as well, but getting in to see a doc-

You might look at a mask with a chin cup. I have also used Mole Skin across the bridge of my nose. (Mole skin is a completely synthetic product with has like fur on one side, and sticky on the other. It comes in sheets and is in the foot care aisle of drug stores, supermarkets for use to cover up problem areas on the foot. One cuts out the size of the piece one needs with scissors)

I also know that as head straps get older, losing their elasticity, I have needed to cinch down the mask tighter, so the problem might be a bit more flex in the straps.

I now use the mask of the last resort, the FitLife mask, which I wear incorrectly and put the bottom of the mask below my chin (it is supposed to be just below my mouth.) Thereby the mask goes around the outside of my face.

I feel the RT is a better way to proceed. But do what you want.

[Okie bipap]

I used the F&P Simplus mask with pressure setting of 20 - 25 cm without any problems. The only problem I had was getting it to seal around the bridge of my nose which is rather narrow. I switched from the Simplus to the Amara View, then the Resmed F20, and now the Dreamwear FFM. All have worked well at high pressures. I now run 17 - 20 cm pressure every night.

[raisedfist]

Simplus and the F20 are the best for high pressure in my experience. I wouldn't switch out your Simplus - it's a great mask.