Need a new mask..and help:(

[resistance]

I have been using Resmed Mirage Softgel for 5 months now. My AHI is ok. Leak rates vary, sometimes very high. Tight or loose, I can't say I'm satisfied with the mask at all. I get up tired in the mornings.

The problem is the softgel cushion. It is too soft and flexible and also detachable. And I'm an active sleeper, I turn around a lot. Therefore the mask starts leaking from the sides when the softgel part is flexed or compressed. I hate that air flow into my face, waking me up at night. The cushion also comes off so easily that I find it partially or sometimes fully detached from the mask frame in the mornings. When I tighten it, the cushion gets compressed and leans on my upper lip, slowly sliding between my lips during sleep and getting wet.. That's incredibly disturbing.. I think the pics below would explain the problem.

I can't take it anymore and need something solid, with a good strong seal. What should I get? I'd love to try nasal pillows actually, but I guess they're not suitable for active sleepers . If I should keep on using nasal masks, what would you recommend?

[cflame1]

who says that pillows aren't good for active sleepers?

And have you ever tried hose management? That might fix your leaking problem. Or would an Activa cushion do the same thing as the softgel?

Right now I've got more questions than answers about this.

[Kanes28]

The first mask I tried when I got my machine was a softgel and had alot of leak issues. I tried swift FX pillows and didnt really care for em. I than went home with 2 more masks to try. The mirage Activa which uses the same frame as your softgel but has a movable type seal that says it can be wore loose without much leaking??? Im not sure as the other mask I tried was a mirage quattro fullface and I loved it after first night so I just returned the activa without ever trying.

[resistance]

who says that pillows aren't good for active sleepers? And have you ever tried hose management?

Many people who have tried nasal pillows state that they move a lot and they have to correct its position during the night. That makes me confused. And yes, I have a good hose management system.

the other mask I tried was a mirage quattro fullface and I loved it after first night.

I read similar posts until now about FFM's. I'm not a mouth breather, but even so I wonder if an FFM would be my saviour..

[Julie]

It could help if you find the right one. Have you tried Activa masks? They're supposedly designed to allow more movement without going out of place (there's some kind of interface between the face part of the mask and elbow (to hose). Plus they're super comfortable, though some people have trouble with leaks... it's all so dependent on your individual face :>).

[LoQ]

I have been using Resmed Mirage Softgel for 5 months now. My AHI is ok. Leak rates vary, sometimes very high. Tight or loose, I can't say I'm satisfied with the mask at all. I get up tired in the mornings.

The problem is the softgel cushion. It is too soft and flexible and also detachable. And I'm an active sleeper, I turn around a lot. Therefore the mask starts leaking from the sides when the softgel part is flexed or compressed. I hate that air flow into my face, waking me up at night. The cushion also comes off so easily that I find it partially or sometimes fully detached from the mask frame in the mornings. When I tighten it, the cushion gets compressed and leans on my upper lip, slowly sliding between my lips during sleep and getting wet.. That's incredibly disturbing.. I think the pics below would explain the problem.

I can't take it anymore and need something solid, with a good strong seal. What should I get? I'd love to try nasal pillows actually, but I guess they're not suitable for active sleepers . If I should keep on using nasal masks, what would you recommend?

It's hard to tell from your pictures, but it looks like you might not be putting the clip and cushion together right. Here is ResMed's Guide. Make sure your clip rim is going inside of the cushion groove before clipping into the frame. See pictures 2, 3, and 4 on page vi of the manual. If it works like my Mirage Quattro, there is no way you could get that cushion off awake, much less asleep, without the clip coming off, too.

[sleepydawn]

I am an active sleeper and often have zero leak nights with Swift FX. I also think the F&PZest nasal mask is a very good nasal mask. I can't always handle that hard plastic against my forehead even with lots of additional padding. So I can't use it nearly as often as the Swift. Still, it is a very good mask and it stays put when my nares are too irritated to use pillows. I made liners out of old t-shirts to use with my Zest because my skin is sensitive in general. I think that one is also sold as the Flexifit 407 and you might be able to find a good deal at cpapauction. Otherwise, it's still relatively inexpensive at cpap.com, $73 right now.

[mdintx]

Wow! I've never had my SoftGel cushion come loose like that and I'm a pretty active sleeper as well. You may want to try ordering an Activa LT cushion (they're very affordable on ebay or cpap.com) as it will clip right into your current mask. I don't have any experience with the Swift FX but the Swift LT was pretty leak free as well. One thing to keep in mind, your face should be at the edge of your pillow when you're on your side. That way, the mask will not be affected.

[rested gal]

who says that pillows aren't good for active sleepers? And have you ever tried hose management?

Many people who have tried nasal pillows state that they move a lot and they have to correct its position during the night. That makes me confused. And yes, I have a good hose management system.

Well, I'm very much a toss'n'turn sleeper. Been successfully using nasal pillows masks (primarily the Headrest nasal pillows) for many a year. In addition to a hose hanger (that I'd use with any mask) I do add a stabilizing homemade strap across the front of the pillows holder. Stays put fine.

[jonquiljo]

It's hard to tell from your pictures, but it looks like you might not be putting the clip and cushion together right. Here is ResMed's Guide. Make sure your clip rim is going inside of the cushion groove before clipping into the frame.

I totally agree. I had the same problem with the Softgel in the beginning but took out the manual and figured out I was putting it together wrong. Its very easy to do that and it constantly develops leaks that way. In fact, re-reading your post - it really sounds like the plastic insert is placed wrong. I bought an Activa cushion to try, and it is an alternative, though I personally preferred the Softgel. It's only about 30 bucks and could be worth the effort if you have the money.

[karl9000]

I have a similar problem, but not exactly...

I started CPAP back in March using a nasal pillow (can't remember which one...). It worked well with few leaks even though I'ma VERY ACTIVE sleeper. But after about a month or so, I became a mouth breather. I probably always was, but it became obvious when I started blowing bubbles all night long.

So I switched over to the Hybrid Full Face. It worked fine; I had it adjusted so that I had virtually no leaks and no discomfort during the night. But the hose developed a leak and I thought it was mask components, so I replaced the straps and the soft stuff. Big mistake. I have not been able to recreate the adjustments I had before. If I have the mask comfortable when I go to bed, the leaks are horrible and wake me up all night long. Frustrating when you're finally sleeping! If I tighten it up so it doesn't leak at night, then I get the raw area under my nose as well as a severe indent that take hours to go away. Of course, this also wakes me up.

So my question: can someone recommend a full face mask that can handle a lot of night movement? I can't sleep on my back at all if that matters. I also sleep with a feather pillow over my head with my mouth/mask sticking out (don't ask; it goes waaaaaaay back ). As far as can tell, the pillow isn't affecting the mask. I also use the cpap pillow with the cut outs, and I have a tube management system.

I don't know what is causing the leaks in the hybrid but I've had enough. I woke up twice last night with the air blasting around my nostrils. My wife is starting to complain (more... ). Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[resistance]

Ok, the sales person called me today and told that he would be at the office so that I could try different masks. I tried Resmed Swift FX, and liked it as a small, lightweight mask. You can easily forget that it's even there. But somehow it felt likely to cause irritation at the nostrils. And it has a whistling like noise when you exhale.


I also tried a full face mask, it was a Respironics Comfortfull 2, if I'm not mistaken. It was really big, but nice to know that therapy was guaranteed, even if you open your mouth (though I'm not a mouth breather except leaks):


I purchased the Swift FX and am permitted to try it tonight. If I'm not satisfied, I can return it tomorrow and change it with something else, like the Respironics Full Face mask.

It's hard to decide; Swift FX feels comfortable and easy, while the FFM covers both the nose and the mouth, likely to provide a better therapy

[Duckie]

I have the resmed mirage nasal mask when I first started a pap. I was having the problem of not sleeping solid, concerned I would open my mouth. I switched to a resmed mirage full face mask and love it. I now can yawn when I want to. It took a little adjustment to get the leaks to zero. I also like that it doesn't put pressure on my upper lip. I am an actice sleeper.

[Emilia]

You can avoid irritation of the nostrils using the FX by getting some Lansinoh cream at the pharmacy or other store that has a baby aisle. It is the cream used by nursing moms, but it works very well on the nose because it is a bit tacky to the touch and helps to create a good seal with the pillows while also protecting the skin. I have used since the first night with my pillow mask, and it works wonderfully! It comes in a purple box and runs about $10... it'll last forever as you only need a dab of it.

[resistance]

Thank you, I think any cream that contains Lanolin would do.

I still wonder which mask type would give a better therapy, nasal cushions or a full face mask.. Like Swift FX or say, Mirage Quattro? I've heard some people whose sleep quality improved greatly after switching to full face.

I'd love to buy and use both, but masks are very expensive here in Turkey. I paid $260 for the Swift FX