which mask is best for no leaks and noise.

[neworleans44]

i used

resmed with nose mask- dont remember the name,,.... resmed swift lt, and
sleepweaver
any recommendations
im at the point of giving up
my insurance doesnt pay for it i do.
anyone use one where the hose if attached to go above your head instead of down your throat area. thanks

[pmcall57]

There's no one "best" mask, it's very personal, so you'll need to give more info about what didn't work with the masks you tried. Can you say more about your experience?

No need to give up ... lots of folks have gotten on the right track with advice from the good folks here.

[LSAT]

If there was such a mask everyone would be using it and all the others would disappear. Everyone has a different shaped face and a different comfort level. You may need to try several. Go to a DME that has a display of all the masks and will let you try them. A new DME that I just started to go to has a recliner and hooks up a CPAP to allow me to try the masks lying down with my pressure.

[montana]

You might try cpapauction for good prices http://www.cpapauction.com/index.php

[dtsm]

My sleep center had an entire row of 'sample masks' in one of the doc's rooms, and if your place is similar, why not try them as a starter. Usually the nurses or technicians have sound advice, and can fit you with a few types to see which might be most suitable.

I used a comfortgel from respironics during my overnight trial and they gave one to me as a 'parting gift'....I got a nasal pillow from my DME and tried them both. Comfortgel worked better during my start. But I am still trying out other models, eg their "EasyLife". Also plan to retry the nasal pillow. Right now, have two weeks under my belt with the comfortgel.

It will take some time and some experimenting....be patient and don't give up. I started cpap last March, did 3 days and had to stop for other medical reasons (very long story!)....and restarted two weeks ago with decent results so far.

Good luck.

[onesight1]

i used

resmed with nose mask- dont remember the name,,.... resmed swift lt, and
sleepweaver
any recommendations
im at the point of giving up
my insurance doesnt pay for it i do.
anyone use one where the hose if attached to go above your head instead of down your throat area. thanks

send me a private message, i can help.

[SleepyBobR]

Just a comment about the Swift nasal pillows mask which I think is one that you've tried. I use this mask and it is very quiet, doesn't leak and has a clip to route the hose over your head. The trick to making this mask work, in my case, is to use a good chin strap to prevent mouth blowouts. You may know this already but, if not, try a chin strap before giving up on this mask. Without the strap, the mask is useless for me; with it, the mask just vanishes on my face. I don't even know I'm wearing it.

[newname]

Try the Activa LT. I tried so many masks until I found this one. Love it.

[Kiralynx]

I have used both the Comfortlite 2 (CL2) and the Headrest. Both of these have the advantage of routing the hose over your head, and no side straps. I use the Hozer hose manager to really keep the hose out of the way!

I really, really like my CL2 -- and the fact that I can swap between regular nasal pillows, the direct seals, or the simple seal. It was the one I used for my titration, and the one I used for getting used to xPAP therapy. I like the CL2 strap. It fits under my hair, and doesn't irritate my skin -- in fact, I use the CL2 strap on my Zzz-mask full face when I have to use that mask if I've got a respiratory infection or allergies.

I switched to the Headrest for my "summer" mask because the CL2 covers a relatively large part of my head, and it gets terribly hot, even with a Padacheek cover on it.

I find the Headrest pillows to be somewhat softer, but still sealing very well. The first thing I did, though, was cut the rubber straps off it and replace it with the strap from my CL2 (with the addition of a small bit of velcro to hold the front straps together over the headpiece.) The second thing I did was cover the remaining rubber with wicking fabric, which made for a nice, cool head piece. The third thing I did was take strips of wicking fabric and wrap them around the nose piece so I couldn't have the plastic rubbing on my face. This has the effect of insulating the nose piece, and I don't have a problem with rain-out.

The Headrest might have a slight edge over the CL2 because it is smaller and packs better when I travel. But it still needs a CL2 strap!

Hey, NewOrleans44, How 'bout dem Saints?

[jules]

the masks by somnotech - soyala which has a new name and the somnoplus are very quiet - there is a FF version for the soyalal

these are either that FF mask or nose covers. The nasal soyala and the somnoplus have the same cushion but other parts are not interchangable. They run small The Soyala vents out a ball and socket joint which is there elbow where you attatch your hose and the Somnoplus vents down the hose a few inches and rainout can accumulate there is my experience so that needs to be opened up and water shook off at least once a night or it gets noisy

with either of these masks I hear spouse make his pit stops and hear the fluid hitting the toilet yet I am far away in the house (say 30 ft away). I have heard sea gull chatter with it on and cpap running.

I found the swift LT and the quatrro not as quiet but not bad. Liberty was okay but not as good as those 2. Unacceptable were the original swift, nasal aire, optilife, and I have yet to rank the other FFM I have but it appears to be noisy - Comfort Full 2

[kaydacat]

I second the Mirage Active LT. I have tried at least 10 different masks, and I LOVE this one. My only problem is that I am a mouth breather, so I have to tape my mouth. Even with the tape,it's way more comfortable than any other mask I have tried. I am trying to find a full face mask that I can make it thru the night with when I have bad allergies or congestion, but I have yet to find a single one that doesn't irritate the heck out of me!!! The best full face mask I have tried is the Ultra Mirage full face mask. I use it as a back up, but I usually cannot make it through the night.

Again, if you are looking for a nasal mask, I highly recommend the Mirage Activa LT. I got mine for a pretty decent discounted price on cpapauction.com....just a warning, though....if you use that site, make sure the seller has a high rating. Do not buy from a new seller with zero rating. I have bought 5 masks from that site, and have been satisfied with every transaction, but from a seller with a zero rating. I learned my lesson.

I hope you don't give up. It took me a year to find the right mask, and as you can see, i'm still looking for that magic full face mask. CPAP can save your life, but you have to be willing to help yourself.

Good luck, and keep coming back here for advice. The veterans on this site have saved me many headaches!!!!!