Full Face Mask striking out Need help finding another one

[rise&shiner]

I am going on my 5th face mask in three weeks. I started with the Mirage Liberty which was great except that couldn't get any size pillows to stay in, the only thing I didn't try was Glue. I was snoring as badly with this mask as I do without using anything. Next tried the Quatro oh my g-d that was really bad and I took suggestions that were posted here. I am a side sleeper and move around a lot could fall asleep with it but as the night wore on the worse the mask worked, ended up gasping. Next cam the comfort fit !! I am in between sizes in the mask medium too small the large too big. then came i this past week The Comfort Gel in a large. Way too big, got air in my eyes, the bottom came to below my chin and the seal kept folding in onto itself and thought it is extremly comfortable I now understand the meaning of claustrophobia, it is very heavy feeling because of the gel, also no matter how many times I washed it you definitely the pur-sleep aromatherapy to have that smell go away.
So now I am suppose to get the Fisher Paykell 431 which my RT suggested over the 432 because it is lnot as "bulky" it comes with all 3 sizes but would the 432. Although I think the only reason why they didn't suggest Fisher Pakell Forma Fit is they don't carry it in stock and they don't carry the Mojo Gel. On Cpap's site they said I was not a good candidate for the Ultra MIrageFF.

So if anyone has tried the F & P masks or other FF mask after trying the rest and found that it works please let me know, I need to keep a list of what to try.

[cflame1]

The main difference between the 431 and the 432... is a grey foam cushion insert.

[magentapolkadots]

Oh bless your heart. I can hear the frustration in your post.

I started with the Mirage Liberty which was great except that couldn't get any size pillows to stay in, the only thing I didn't try was Glue.

This may be useless, as you may not have the mask anymore, but did you try the ladies tights/pantyhose tied around your head and across the nasal pillows (what a horrible description). I'm no good at describing it, but there's a picture in rooster's hybrid fitting thread.

I didn't like the liberty because of the mouth cushion, but have just switched to the hybrid and like it much better. Of course, it has nasal cushions too.

I've only tried comfort gel (hated it), liberty, quattro (still use it) & the hybrid (just got it and like it).

Wishing I could wave a magic wand and make it better,
Kim

[Leonbergergirl]

FWIW--I keep trying the F&P as being the least instrusive, but have never gotten through a night:
the mask looms over one's eyes, and finally i feel like the "Alien" creature is clamped to my face.
I would love to find a FF mask that was not unnerving, but in the meantime i stick with the Activa
with the new, smaller mask. No claustrophobia

I do wish you luck. If you find a goodie, please share it with the rest of us.
Leonbergergirl

[shooter]

I use the F&P 432 and have pretty much settled on it. I have tried the Swift LT, the Probasic ZZZ, the Hybrid, and the 431.
My usual AHI is now under 3 and my AI is usually 0.0 or 0.1. My numbers have never been better with any of the others.
I like the extra support cushion of the 432. When I remove it (which would be equivalent to a 431) I find that the mask sometimes "rolls"
to the side and leaks. I do put 3M Transpore tape on the bridge of my nose or I get sores there.

Hope this helps.

[rise&shiner]

All this info really helps. So did you start out with the 431 and then switch to the 432 when it came out?

[shooter]

The 431 was a "loaner". I purchased the 432 with the idea that the extra internal cushion could be removed if desired and then it would also be a 431. I found that the extra cushion worked better and have been using it ever since. I did learn that the smaller sizes work better for me even though the sizing guide indicates I would need a large. The large leaks while the small and medium don't. (at least on me)

[rise&shiner]

For 4 hours I tried to get my HC431 to work for me last night. I started out with the medium , my chin wouldn't stay in the little cup area so I tried the large.

I felt like Goldilocks this is to small this is to big and was waiting for the one to be just right and didn't happen. I finally after 4 hours got a an excellent read on my cpap but I knew that I would have major marks on my face when I woke up. With only have the mask on for 3 hours..(got up at 9 this morning).I had mask indentations until 4:00 this afternoon.

I also felt that the mask base if very hard on my face it felt like I was wearing a brick. The good thing was that I didn't have any leaks with mask was I got adjusted but look at what price I had to pay for it.

I called up my DME this morning and they were going to have my local case manager come by and work with me on the adjustments and of course I wanted him to see my indentations. He never called. Also when I talked to my DME they were not sure if they could even have me try another mask. One I am still in my original 30 days and two with all the pro problems that I have had with broken equipment and masks that don;don't work I have only had
5 nights of usage and only 3 with my new CPAP unit.

If someone has switched from the HC431 to the F&P Forma please let me know if that worked better. I like the the chin hold and the gliding system and the
head gear I don;don't like not having my nose not having room but out of all the masks this seems to be the best, I although I did like the comfort gel it was just too big maybe I should have just reo-order it in a medium.


I

[karessamom]

My mask experience thus far--I'm only posting this because somehow it may give you some suggestions or help you--don't know.
My titration study they fitted me with a mirage quattro--leaked like crazy thru the night and couldn't sleep.
wanted to try the full life from Respironics so when i got my machine i was fitted for that mask. at first seemed ok but made sores on my nose. started leaking and between the sores and leaking, i ended up turning it back about 2 weeks later. I then got a Ultra mirage ff mask. Works pretty well but was still bothered by the sore on nose from the first mask and getting pressure sore on forehead so when i saw the dr. last week, he wanted me to try a hybrid. all I can say right now is I LOVE the hybrid! my sores are obviously healing, and I'm finally SLEEPING again! first good sleeping since being dxed and on cpap. and I wasn't sleeping really good before then! Hope you can try it--although you said you'd tried the Liberty and it didn't work for you so don't know if this will but it might be something to consider. Obviously with treatment--the mask is the KEY part of it. You have to have a mask that works for you and of course everyone's different. what will work for one person won't for the next. Sometimes it's just a matter of trial and error before finding the right mask. the one i'm using now, my not be my ultimate solution but for the time being it seems to be working ok --although now i'm getting a leak problem again that needs to be solved. but it's not bad more like just annoying! Good luck and hope this helped some.

[tinkerbell0902]

This is for riseandshiner - Try using a remzzzs cotton mask liner with any of those full face masks you've tried. The 431/432 is a good one that I've tried. The liner fills in the facial gaps of in-between sizes & is very comfortable! I have very few leaks any longer & definitely no red marks on my face. You can find them online.