pillows vs ff vs pressure

[Spirit]

I was just sitting here wondering. Does ff require more pressure, then pillows. Reason being. Constant pressure is moving directly through pillows, to lungs.

But with a ff there is volume of space, before pressure enters the nose/mouth prior to lungs, meaning air can circulate around the mask, and out the vent. DME said, it makes no difference.

But to me it does. I don't see how pressure of 9cm works the same for pillows vs ff.,

It's really strange, cause sometimes I have to lift my mask, cause I don't feel any pressure, but with pillows I felt the constant pressure entering my nose, inflating my mouth like a blow fish, but with the ff if I open my mouth, I don't feel anything, or feel any pressure entering my nose. It's like, there is no pressure at all.

Has anyone else, notice the difference between pillows vs ff pressure ??

I'm just itchin to crank up my pressure, but don't know by how much, just to see if my theory holds true. I really liked the pillows, but hate taping my mouth. At least with the Quattro, I can sleep with my mouth open. I fall asleep with my mouth closed, but awaken with my mouth open.

But just wondering if pressure enters the nose/mouth at the same rate as pillows ?

[lmmo]

In my observation in the lab a patient that switches to a nasal pillow mask from ffm usually leaves on a lower pressure. As LONG AS THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT MOUTH LEAK. most techs have difficulty titrating with a ffm because of leaks wear the meal touches the face vs anatomy an then how the face relaxes with sleep. So it could take a higher pressure to compensate for higher leak. I hope this helps;-)

[Spirit]

Thanks for input Immo, my mask rarely leaks, that's the good news. It's like a perfect fit to my face, no matter how I sleep. I can see where higher pressure would compensate for leak, but wouldn't higher pressures cause stronger leaks ??

Maybe a car tire sealer, would seal a mask, Lol !!! Alright, bad joke.

But it would be interesting to learn, if my theory has been proven by others, through data.

I may try to experiment myself.

[shambharwani]

Spirit,

In a FF mask the pressure is the same on the mouth and the nose (including the lungs) so if the mouth is open if won't make a difference but in a nasal mask/cushion the pressure is on the nose and lungs only and if you open the month air is like to leak (like through the point of least resistance).

I use a nasal cushion and a FF mask alternatively at the same pressure settings and have noticed a slightly lower pressure reading with the nasal cushion.

Sham

[Slinky]

Oh, yeah, there can be differences. And I'd say it is mostly a matter of Leak. At least for me. I finally found a nasal cushion that was comfortable, leak free and I loved. The problem was whilst the mask didn't leak, my mouth sure did! A chin strap helped, it helped a lot. BUT a chin strap can't do much, if anything, for "the lip flutters".

I didn't see much sense in trying yet another nasal cushion given the need for the chin strap and still having to contend w/"the lip flutters". It was all right on the nights that my "lip flutter" leak managed to stay below my VPAP's compensatory abilities, but there were times that my leak rate did surpass its compensatory abilities. Too many times.

So I went for a full face mask. I never could get the Resmed Mirage Quattro's thin outer cushion to NOT slice into the skin on the bridge of the nose. Which meant padding of some sort on the bridge. So I tried a second full face and once the headgear and I came to a meeting of the minds I LOVED the ProBasics Zzz-Mask. Almost non-existent leak rate - but - my pressure need increased! So who cared? Except that it became apparent that the full face applied pressure to the chin that was driving my lower jaw backward - which, of course, increased the tendency for the airway to obstruct.

So now I'm going to start looking at the "hybrid" style offerings. Meanwhile, for those finding that they need an increase in pressure when using a full face mask - be sure it isn't because the full face mask isn't pushing your lower jaw backwards.