Interesting Email

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 10:45 am

I sent an email to the ResMed people about not having my manual for my S7. I also sent a complaint about the Ultra Mirage FF and the answer on the FF was very interesting indeed. It seems that only 70% can and use this mask. Is this normal, or do they need to redesign the FF?

bikernc · Post by **bikernc** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:57 pm

I wrote the resmed people as well, because my mask was making all types of noise. They informed me they had a problem with the elbow on this model etc etc etc...My DME gave me a new one and it seems to be fine, except for the occasional air leaks.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:00 pm

I could not believe that only 70% of the people can actually use this mask.
They never offered to replace the one I have nothing. I would not take a replacement for it any way as it does not fit my face.

Mine leaked all around where it was was suppose to seal on my face. Never sealed only made obscene noises.

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:18 pm

I know what you mean about it not fitting. I also tried on the Respironics Comfort Full Full face Mask when I was looking for a full face mask and it was much, much worse than the Ultra Mirage. I can get the Ultra Mirage to seal if I put it on tight enough but then it is really uncomfortable. I get terrible dry mouth with it also. I am a really bad mouth-breather. I got the full face mask to remedy that problem but it seems that it really doesn't help at all. In fact, I get dry mouth worse with it than I do with the nasal pilllows. When I posted on here about the dry mouth problem and the full face mask, it seems that I am supposed to keep my mouth closed with the full face mask too. My question is then, what's the point of a full face mask if you have to keep your mouth closed anyway. I've tried positioning my tongue but when I get into a deep sleep, my mouth comes open, no matter what I do. I either have to use a diy mouthguard or tape my mouth. Also, I turned my heated humidifier all the way up and down and still got dry mouth. I've recently had a deviated nasal septum fixed and turbinate reduction surgery and it helped but I still breathe through my mouth. My apnea seemed to be getting worse with the full face mask also. The daytime sleepiness and fatigure were returning. I don't have any software with my cpap so I don't know exactly what was happening but I've been using the Breeze Nasal Pillows again for the last couple of weeks and my energy is returning and the daytime sleepiness is going away. If you ask me, I don't think full face masks are worth the trouble. At least it seems not alone if only 30% of the people can tolerate the Ultra Mirage which is supposed to be the gold standard for full face masks!

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 5:39 pm

This is not a good percentage.

I do not have the problem with dry mouth with my heated humidifier.

I can't wait until we have to go away and stay over night on our honey moon.

It is so nice to have two CPAP users in one family.

Tom is even thinking of a FF because he is also a mouth breather and he uses a nasal mask.

He likes my HR because now we are both sleeping at night when I remember to plug up the one leak since the people I bought the mask from never measured me in the first place.

So I left a message with my original provider that when it comes time for the new mask to be ordered through Medicare, I need a Hans Rudolph FF Petite and not to worry about the head gear.

NeurosurgeryNP · Post by **NeurosurgeryNP** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 6:07 pm

Keep in mind, that every mask does not work for every person. We all have unique faces. For instance, some people like the comfort curve - others hate ie. Every mask has their likers and dislikers. You just need to find the one that is right for you.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 6:33 pm

Tater Pie:
An "under the chin" full face mask keeps my mouth closed. I need this because although I am not a mouth breather, I do get air leaks through my mouth. My F&P HC431 ff mask does a good job of keeping my lips together and this in turn keeps my tongue in position to seal my airway. I'm not sure if this is good for a person who must breathe through their mouths but it is great for us air leakers. The Hans Rudolph full face mask is also an under the chin design.

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Sat Jun 25, 2005 9:22 pm

Newsgrouper, I may try it the next time it comes up for my insurance to get a new mask which will be six months from now. I have seen that some people do like it. I just don't know if it will help the dry mouth. With both the Respironics Comfort Full Full face mask and the ultra mirage, I still had severe dry mouth. I have a heated humidifer and I turned it all the way up and also tried it turned all the way down and all points in between and I still had dry mouth. Maybe the Fisher Paykel will help. I had a Fisher Paykel Nasal Mask when I started out with cpap and I absolutely hated the thing but I'll try to keep an open mind when I try the Fisher Paykel Full Face Mask but that will be at least six months from now. Until then, I'll keep using my Breeze nasal Pillows. Also, I drink a lot (and I mean a LOT) of water and don't take anything that should dehydrate me so I'm really puzzled about the dry mouth thing. My sleep doctor said some people just have dry mouth. That sounded like an easy excuse to get rid of me. Anyway, thanks for your input.

snork1 · Post by **snork1** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:11 pm

I am definitely in the 30% group.
I don't see the point to a full face mask, since as you pointed out, you still have to keep your mouth shut anyway.
After trying two full face masks, I am now SCARED of trying any more FF. I woke up with a pounding oxygen deprivation headache from what seemed to be worse apnea than no mask at all, when I used a full face mask and finally got it to seal.

The DIY tongue guide with something plugged into or over my nose is MY solution to FINALLY getting night after night of good sleep. Of course I also got my nose working (with surgery) and I rotate masks from night to night.

but as always...Your mileage may vary

RED SOX · Post by **RED SOX** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:46 pm

I don't know why but I started with the ultra mirage F.F. mask and it's been
fine for me , I do get a few leaks at night but I can usually correct them by shifting the mask, I don't even have to disconnect the headgear.

You don't have to keep your mouth closed with a f.f. mask, I never have my mouth closed when wearing the mask and i NEVER get dry mouth,

in fact I used to get dry mouth before I got on cpap but never with it.

Like I told my resp. therapist , I must be one of the lucky ones,

took to cpap like a fish to water, and got the right mask (ultra mirage f.f.)
right out of the gate.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 7:49 pm

I am reasonably successful with my full face masks. My AHI is always under 3. In addition to my mouth leak issues I cannot tolerate the discomfort nasal masks cause me above my upper lip. The pressure against my gums is unpleasant and borderline painful. Not a gum or dental problem as all is in good shape. Just something that I prefer not to experience nightly. The ff masks are far from perfect but I need to stay with them.

WindFlyer · Post by **WindFlyer** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 1:39 pm

Tater Pie: You might want to consult your pharmacist about any medications you are presently taking. I found that very often pharmacists are very smart cookies and it just might be something you take that is causing the dry mouth. Just a suggestion to help you track down the source...

On the ResMed UltraMirage FF mask issue, I have a similar story to Red Sox and Newsgrouper. The mask just fits me and I never have problems with it. Occasionally (as with any mask) there's a tiny leak but a quick shift does solve the problem every time.

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:21 pm

tater pie, I sleep with my mouth open with my Hans Rudolph. It seems if I do not sleep with my mouth open, I get a terrible leak under my chin.

Remember this mask was not measured for me and I have to live with the wrong size until I can get my Medicare paid for HR.

rpalmer · Post by **rpalmer** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:01 pm

tater pie wrote:I get terrible dry mouth with it also. I am a really bad mouth-breather.

Have you tried a chin strap?

I'm a bad mouth-breather, too. I've been trying a ResMed Mirage full face mask the past several weeks for the same reasons you went to a FF mask and I'm having the same problems you did. I've never tried nasal pillows, but started out with the nasal mask that came with my CPAP & that didn't work at all. When I started mouth breathing after dozing off, I wasn't getting any benefit at all from the CPAP.

At least with the FF mask, air is being forced into my mouth as well as my nose. Is that still therapeutic?

Interesting Email

Interesting Email

Ultra Mirage

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