what mask is best and how can one wear it comfylike

waitingtoexhale · Post by **waitingtoexhale** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 2:06 am

can anybody tell me which mask is the most comfortable out there. I have just recently been diagnosed with sleep apnea but I have seen so many complaints out there about the masks I'm wondering if it's even worth wearing one. Is there any solution to this dilemma, and has someone found something more comfortable than what I have to wear? I have the respironics comfort gel been using it a week and it's beating up my face I thought it was just about getting used to wearing the thing but it seems some out there have had this problem for a while. any suggestions?

Pad A Cheek · Post by **Pad A Cheek** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:26 am

Well I will start by answering you that mask comfort is such an individual thing. Our faces are shaped differently and our personal preferences for nasal mask or pillows and the claustrophobia issues affect what masks that work well for one will not necessarily work for another. The comfort Gel is a decent mask for many. How is it hurting your face?

There are options to make it fit better. Have you loosened the straps as much as you possibly can and still not have large leaks? Do you wash it and your face each night? Have you adjusted the forehead part to put more pressure on your forehead and less on your nose bridge. There are also padding products to help make it even more comfortable. If you want to know more about those you can PM me.

I will say that the right mask and the comfort of that mask is the key to great therapy. When you get it dialed in properly for you it will make a big difference in your life. So to answer your question, YES it is worth it to find a comfortable solution so you can continue to use your CPAP. It is your future health you are taking care of with this treatment, It is not the easiest always to get it all set, but it is very very worthwhile to do.

I wish you the best, be patient and perservere. We have been where you are now, and I would not give up my CPAP for anything now. It gave me back my life over 4 years ago. Take care, and many will help you with your individual issues. Just ask.

Karen

Needsdecaf · Post by **Needsdecaf** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:52 am

LOL, that's like asking what's the best food out there. Or who's the best QB in the NFL.

Answer: it depends on you. There is no "right" answer.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:52 am

Hello & Welcome, waitingtoexhale! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!

Regarding masks, ditto to everything Padacheek said. Many/Most of us end up trying all kinds of masks in our quests to find the "right" one. Good luck, and hang in there!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

alnhwrd · Post by **alnhwrd** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:30 am

Karen has lots of great products to protect your face from strap marks and the bridge of your nose from the cushion. You can check them out at http://www.padacheeks.com. You could also have the wrong size cushion. You can go to CPAP.com and look at all of the different masks, read the reviews and comments and get an idea of what the features of some of the different masks are. You could also jump into the caht room, especially on Monday nights (newbie night) and ask the people there what kinds of masks they use. Here is a link to an article about masks that might be helpful. I hope this helps.

cpaptalk-articles/390/CPAP-Mask-Choices.html

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:52 am

PADACHEEK wrote:
So to answer your question, YES it is worth it to find a comfortable solution so you can continue to use your CPAP. It is your future health you are taking care of with this treatment, It is not the easiest always to get it all set, but it is very very worthwhile to do.

I wish you the best, be patient and perservere. We have been where you are now, and I would not give up my CPAP for anything now. It gave me back my life over 4 years ago. Take care, and many will help you with your individual issues. Just ask.

Karen

_________________

Karen, you have no idea how much your thoughts mean to me this am.
Third night w/CPAP. NOT fun. Really having a hard time.

I really needed to hear this, today.
I want my life back, I will persevere.
THANKS!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:48 am

Well, since you asked ME, I will tell you that the only mask to wear is the Nasal Aire II, and the only way to wear it is connected to a chinstrap, ponytail style.

Read all about it here:
viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

See pix of my Chinstrap/Headgear morph here:
s124.photobucket.com/albums/p36/BabetteLaMauvaise/CPAP/

Put in the “h t t t p : / /” yourself.

Now, since you also asked 27 million other people, expect 27 million other replies.

LOL,
Babette

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 9:51 am

Anonymous wrote:Well, since you asked ME, I will tell you that the only mask to wear is the Nasal Aire II, and the only way to wear it is connected to a chinstrap, ponytail style.

Read all about it here:
viewtopic/t23207/Babettes-Nasal-Aire-II-Tip-Sheet.html

See pix of my Chinstrap/Headgear morph here:
s124.photobucket.com/albums/p36/BabetteLaMauvaise/CPAP/

Put in the “h t t t p : / /” yourself.

Now, since you also asked 27 million other people, expect 27 million other replies.

LOL,
Babette

Babs,

THREE "T's"???

They don't need to, the forum software puts it in there by default.

Den

Insomniyak · Post by **Insomniyak** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 11:16 am

Personally, I like the Mirage Micro. It is not too imposing and seals nicely without having too tight. Actually woke up on my stomach this AM with it still on. In comparison to the Comfort Gel, I found the CG too small and not much to it.

Are you past the 30 exchange period on it? If not, I would exchange it at your DME and try something else.

I like your username but that had to be one of the worst movies...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:12 pm

[quote="Wulfman]
Babs,

THREE "T's"???

They don't need to, the forum software puts it in there by default.

Den[/quote]

Hey, at least I started doing the "WWW." thing like you asked. Quit hassling me. I'm sleep deprived.

LOL,
Babs

ErnieH · Post by **ErnieH** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:52 pm

I am still in the process of finding the perfect mask. The one I'm using until I find the perfect mask is the Sleepnet IQ. It's a totally Gel mask, which really makes it comfortable, but you can also shape any parts that might not feel perfect. It seems no matter what I try it's just not comfortable. After all the masks I've tried, I keep going back to the Sleepnet IQ....... I hate to say it, but you're on your own. What might be comfortable to me may be hedious to you.

Best of luck,
Ernie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 6:47 pm

It really depends on if you are a nose breather or a mouth breather. Personally I am a nose breather. I use an Opus 360. I have been using it for two weeks and it is amazing. It does not block your view while your watching tv (I hated watching tv like I was blind in one eye with other nose masks). It is very flexible so you can change positions throughout the night so you don't get that horrible back pain. You can view pictures of the mask if you just google Opus 360. I do use a chin strap to keep my mouth closed but that is a small sacrifice for the comfort of the mask. The nose piece is very comfortable. During the first three days your nose will be a little sore and may even become irritated but that stopped after my fourth use. I am extremely pleased with this mask and it has changed my life. That's my two cents. Good luck!

Steve

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:57 pm

You might like the Nasal Interface Masks such as the Headrest, it has NO FACE STRAPS whatsoever! You might also think about/ take a look at the Swift 11, the Comfort Lite 11, THE Nasal Air 11, that's Babette's mask and she swears by it, she loves that mask and has totally (re-constructed) it so, it's totally comfy for her! .

Nasal pillow masks are very comfy COMPARED to the full face masks...

They can all be seen at cpap.com

Goodluck on you Mask Quest!

BTW, WELCOME

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 8:59 pm

I'm not sure if folks looking for mask in this thread are looking for this so called "most comfortable" mask or what they really want is a mask that is most "effective" for their OSA treatment.

Another approach could be finding ways to cozy up to the mask and get more comfortable with one that is most effective to your treatment.

Or simply cut to the chase and get yourself an Activa and be done with it.

Yeah, I know, it's not any exciting sexy new thing, just a old mask to most old timers in this forum. But if I can only have one choice of weapon to take with me to go hunt for Bin Ladin in the Afghanistan mountain ranges, I'll reach for this Activa. It's that good.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 8:07 pm

Remember how I was having trouble finding a comfortable mask? Well, I actually got the comfort gel mask from Respironics, that was so far the most comfy mask I could find. the Straps were bugging me though because I had to wear the mask sooo tight. Anyway, I found the cure to that. I got them off ebay they are these mask strap covers i just typed in CPAP COVERS and they came up. I figured I should give them try because they seemed pretty thick and considering how tight I have to wear the thing I gave it a try. Before 3 days ago when I got them I was wearing a cut up T shirt on my face LOL. WEll thanks for the suggestions.

what mask is best and how can one wear it comfylike

what mask is best and how can one wear it comfylike

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Re: comfy masks

Nasal Pillow Masks

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Machine	Mask