Help me choose a new FF Mask...

napagirl · Post by **napagirl** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 8:37 pm

Hi there,

I have been using my Flexifit HC431 FFmask for almost one year. I had good luck with it at first, and it did help my sleep a lot. But during the last three months or so I have been having trouble with it. The main problem is that when I lie on my side, the mask shifts slightly on the bridge of my nose creating a leak, and air blows up into my eyes waking me up. Or it's air blowing out toward my cheek. I have tried adjusting the straps with no success (just more embarrassing marks on my face the next day). I also bought replacement seals thinking my seal was shot. I wear the small size. I guess my face may have changed slightly or something.. I really don't know why adjustments don't help.

I need a FF mask due to sinus problems. I have tried several nasal pillows/masks and cannot use them. I really don't want to "caulk" the mask to my face.. I would prefer to find one that fits better. I usually take the small, and have a pretty small nose. I am not working with a DME since this is all out of pocket for me.

Any suggestions on good FF masks?

Thanks,

Napagirl

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:24 pm

I used the 431 "M", and also used the Comfortfull "M", some don't like it but it worked better for me than the 431. The 431 wanted to slide the last half of the night. Jim

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:25 pm

Mask type is a real personal thing. What works for some doesn't work at all for others. With that said the two full face masks that seem to work for more people around here are the (both Resmed) Ultra Marige Full Face mask and the Quattro.

Jerry

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:41 pm

I agree with Jerry--must depend on all of our different face shapes along with our personal preferences. But, The Ultra Mirage Full Face is still my favorite, though I still try my Quattro occasionally.

deglorious · Post by **deglorious** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:17 am

Hi, I love my ffm--Quattro--and I wear a small. Plus I think they have it in shallow and standard depths. But there are others that will know for sure.

You can get one for under $75 on cpapauction.com Just be on the lookout! A new one from the dme will cost you about $250.

Good luck,

Deglorious

murried2 · Post by **murried2** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:03 am

I have both the ultra mirage and the quattro. My favorite of those two is the ultra mirage.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:44 am

Hi napagirl,

you said you had replaced the seals but your mask is about 1 year old. I am under the impression that masks should be replaced about twice a year (including headgear). Is it possible that other things besides the seals are out of whack?

Mindy

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 7:29 pm

I couldn't use the ultra mirage - way too many leaks for me. The best for me is the respironics comfortfull. I have a small face and nose, too. Is there a DME in your area that will let you try some masks and return the mask within 30 days if it doesn't work? I have a wonderful DME person who kept trying different masks for me. I hope you find something that works for you. Kelly

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:41 pm

I tried the Respironics Comfortfull and the nose section was way to narrow for me. It closed off the nairs.

Jerry

OwlCreekObserver · Post by **OwlCreekObserver** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:15 pm

napagirl wrote:Hi there,

I have been using my Flexifit HC431 FFmask for almost one year. I had good luck with it at first, and it did help my sleep a lot. But during the last three months or so I have been having trouble with it. The main problem is that when I lie on my side, the mask shifts slightly on the bridge of my nose creating a leak, and air blows up into my eyes waking me up. Or it's air blowing out toward my cheek. [...]

Napagirl

I tried their 432 some time ago and despite my best efforts, I had the same leak issues you did. That was the mask that convinced me, as others here have said, there's no such thing as the perfect mask for everyone. Some of us just have faces that are harder to fit than others.

I still use the Comfortfull II and the Ultra Mirage Full Face masks whenever I'm wearing full face masks. Of the two, I have slightly better luck with the Ultra Mirage.

I use either the Comfort Classic or the Comfort Curve nasal masks and have had great results with each, but I have to tape up every night to do it. If I ever find my "perfect" full face mask, I'll be about as happy as one can be on CPAP.

OCO

TWolf · Post by **TWolf** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 9:42 am

I switched from using pillows (Breeze) to a full face because I was mouth leaking and got tired of taping. I tried several masks by watching the boards and trading back and forth with folks around here.

I tried the 431 and it did seem to fit well without leaks but it absolutely KILLED the bridge of my nose. My six months and my insurance would pay for a new mask so I got to try on a couple of the ones that I hadn't tried through trading at my DME. The 432 is the same as the 431 except that it has a foam insert under the seal. That may help you with the fit but it's hard to tell without trying it. I found the foam to be a little too hard and unforgiving and it also seemed to make the mask feel smaller and more constraining.

I ended up with the Quattro and I'm VERY happy with it. It too hurt my nose at first but not anything like the 431. I bought a Pad-A-Cheek forehead pad with the nose bridge piece. I don't know if it helps with the seal at all but it definitely helps with comfort. There is an occasional leak here and there but I reposition it and it usually stops right away. The seal does seem to be very sensitive to cleaning. I found that I must wash the silicone face seal every day and wash my face well every night. If I do that I almost always have a problem free night. If I don't it seems to leak a lot, especially around the sides of my mouth.

Full faces seem to be the hardest to find a good fit with. Good luck, I hope this helped.

TWolf

napagirl · Post by **napagirl** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 3:24 pm

I was without computer for awhile and just got to read these...

Thanks for all your input...

Some additional information about my face is that my nose is somewhat small, the bridge, that is. I sometimes think that if the bridge of my nose protruded a bit more, I would have a better fit.

I realized that everyone's face is different, but I am not covered by insurance and therefore am not working with a DME. I basically look online and then order what I think will work. Which is getting expensive!!

So... can anyone give some advice on the masks mentioned in the replies (ultra mirage, Quattro and comfortfull M) as to experience regarding a person with a smaller/flatter bridge of nose? I also take a small or extra small in most FF masks.

Thanks!!

Napagirl

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:30 am

I wonder if your headgear has gotten stretched out of shape and lost some of the elasticity out of it. As new headgear is so expensive and you don't know if that would fix the problem I wouldn't invest alot on new headgear. At times you can catch them on cpapauction and ebay for reasonable amounts.

I have been purchasing different masks from cpapauction and not paying anywhere new price for them. I especially recommend cpaponline as reputable seller on there (cpapauction) that has very affordable masks at reasonable prices. So far I have been pleased with all of my purchases from them.

S-Dubya · Post by **S-Dubya** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:19 am

Sleepycarol has a good point about the elasticity of headgear. As it loses elasticity it no longer adjusts to the little movements we make suring the night and allows the mask to slip around more.

As for full face masks? I have tried most of them, it seems. The Ultra Mirage was good. The FlexiFit 431 I liked a little more. I did not care for the 432 and I hated the Comfortfull (nothing comfortable about it!). By far my favorite is the Hybrid. I have virtually no leak issues. Its small footprint is great and because it doesn't cover the nose the size of one's nose is no longer an issue.

Best of luck in your search.

napagirl · Post by **napagirl** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 11:45 am

I spoke with someone at CPAP.com last night regarding this issue. SHe mentioned the headgear as a possible culprit since my mask is a year old, and it did work well in the beginning.

I also asked her about the Zzz ff mask that is made of all flexible silicone. It got mixed reviews, but she said she really liked it alot. They all got to try it out at CPAP.com. Most everyone liked the comfort and the fact it did not move around alot, but several people had leakage problems.

She also told me to make sure I used the measure tool which would suggest mask and size for my face. It basically recommended all the FF mask brands I was considering.

I will definitely try cpapauction.com!

Thanks!!!!

Napagirl

Help me choose a new FF Mask...

Help me choose a new FF Mask...

Re: Help me choose a new FF Mask...

Thanks for the replies and ADDITIONAL INFORMATION...

Thanks, sleepygirl and s-dubya...

Mask	Humidifier