The Quattro FX Mask

[heatherbelle]

Anyone have experience with the Quattro FX (newer Resmed Quattro mask) ? It has proven well nigh to impossible to figure out how Resmed expects products like this to be sold by its distributors in the area where I live (Oshawa/Whitby area in Ontario, Canada. None of its penny ante DME distributors keep a single one in stock, so how is a person supposed to get sized for one ? Silly me, I thought the idea of a DME provider "STORE" was to have stock available for customers to see and assistance provided in getting the proper size. Apparently not !! They all tell you they can order one for you, but not a single store has the plastic sizing gauge......because it comes in the box with the mask you order. Problem.....how do you know what size to have them order ? SO.....I ask "Let me get this straight now......I take a wild guess at what my size might be, you order it, it arrives (whenever) in a box that contains the sizing gauge and then I can see if the mask in the box is the correct size ? If it isn't, then we use the gauge to determine the correct size, which you then order, and I wait for again! Does that not seem like putting the cart before the horse, to you ?" Answer: "ah...well, we don't have a gauge because it goes with the mask any customer purchases. But I'm sure if you went to the Resmed website they would have a little gauge you could download and print, for sizing." BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, AND NO THEY DON'T. None of the local DMEs have ever thought of requesting a couple of these little plastic gauges from Resmed !!! Ye Gods and little fishes.....is it just me ??? If anyone can give me an idea of how the sizing runs on the Quattro FX, possibly by comparison with the regular Quattro (which I already own), I would greatly appreciate it as I will order it (and a bunch of other stuff I need) from a Canadian ONLINE cpap distributor (cheaper anyway).....the local DMEs don't deserve the business. Thanks for any help.
Heather

[bayourest]

I have a quattro mirage in size small. I also have an ultra mirage in size medium. The DME sized me for the small and then when I was having problems with its fit the tech in the Doctor's office sized me on the medium. At the same time she sized me for the FX at medium and that is what I am supposed to get when my mask replacement is due in May. For what ever it's worth....
It is truly nuts that they do not have a size guide in the DME office. Have you tried the sleep lab where you were tested? In my case, they were much more resourceful and helpful than my DME. And they have to have a lot of masks around...

[jromano]

heatherbelle,

First, welcome!

There has been lengthy discussion on the Quattro FX here; Sleeping Ugly got a great thread going: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=59062&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... quattro+fx
Here's another recent thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=61528&p=576340&hili ... x+#p576340

With regards to your concerns about sizing, the feedback thus far has been that it runs small: generally about half a size smaller than ResMed's other masks such as the Quattro. (Too bad they don't come in half-sizes...)

Best of luck!
Cheers,
Jess

[jromano]

In addition, there are some kind folks here that have voiced their willingness to ship off their sizing guide for the price of postage.
Make your way through the feedback on some relevant threads; I trust you'll find something...

[jimnsc]

About the sizing guide - - I placed a cough drop wrapper in my DME's waste basket and saw about 5 of those things in it. She asked if I wanted one as I had tried on the FX and I told her thanks but I didn't think so. She followed up with they sized the average person too small and they were normally tossed opening the mask. That should be a place you can get a freebie - well maybe not out of the waste basket but he/she could put you one aside.

[heatherbelle]

Hi bayourest,
How do you find the Ultra Mirage compared to the regualar Quattro. I have had the same Quattro in size small since starting CPAP last May (2010). But I have had issues with it having to be so tightly strapped on me that I get red cheek marks and a mark on my nose bridge. Maybe it was never sized correctly by the witch (substitute "b" for the "w" LOL). Just wondering if you find your Ultra Mirage more comfortable?

[heatherbelle]

Hi Jess,
Thanks for the links to the dicussion threads that already existed......first time I ever used the website and didn't realize they were there, or I wuldn't have posted the request for info. There's a wealth or info in those threads. I'm grabbing minutes here and there to wade through it.

I complained to Resmed that none of the local DMEs had a sizing gauge for the Quattro FX and Remed is sending me one. I'm in the process of finding a DECENT DME somewhere reasonably close by so that I can actually SEE the mask (and others). If I get a good DME rep I'll purchase there (at least this time)......pretty sure I will have to go to Shoppers Home Health in Toronto.....have a line on one....so we'll see if it works out okay. Otherwise it will be Clinical Sleep in Vancouver.

[bayourest]

HI
yes as a matter of fact I do find the ultra mirage more comfortable. It is whistling at the moment and no matter what I do I cant find the source of the whistle. (Believe me I have tried) so for the moment I am wearing the quattro. I use a padacheek liner which helps improve the comfort a lot. I think the forehead piece on the ultra is better, more comfortable.
i am seeing the DME on monday to see if she can figure out what's up with the ultra mirage and also to see if I might try a hybrid. I am a mouth breather and when I was titrated in Nov the tech tried a hybrid first. It was so weird and uncomfortable at that point that later in the night she gave me the quattro and at that point it was a lot better than the hybrid. I am slated to get a quattro FX for my next mask and was fitted at a medium for that when I saw the PA in the doctors office in Jan. That is when she gave me the ultra mirage in medium. I like having my mask because I am better with it (my worst night on pap is better than my best night without!) but at the moment I am just sick of feeling like I have to wrestle with it. The quattro straps are tight no matter what i do. janknitz has a blog on adjusting the quattro which is certainly very helpful. Look at her signature. I am just not convinced the quattro is my "forever mask."

[jdm2857]

If I remember correctly, the Ultra Mirage has a silicone vent piece that is inserted into the mask. If that piece is not seated correctly the mask will whistle.

[avi123]

I have found the Quattro FX to be flimsy (too delicate), hard to take apart and reassmble for cleaning and the lack of forehead support causes abrasion on the bridge of my nose. I am waiting for the next generation.

[DoriC]

If I remember correctly, the Ultra Mirage has a silicone vent piece that is inserted into the mask. If that piece is not seated correctly the mask will whistle.

Yes, we had to reinsert the vent piece once. We also had whistling with one of them, it had some fuzz in one of the holes. We used a toothpick to push it out. Someone else just mentioned that one of their holes wasn't punched out completely when manufactured and caused whistling. My husband tried several masks and found the UM to be the most comfortable and leak free.

[mbkjad]

I have one of the sizing guides (came with the mask I purchased). More than happy to ship it too you (and I am not worried about the postage). If you want it shoot me a message with an address and I will get it in the mail to you on Monday.

Mike

[jromano]

heatherbelle,

Don't be silly - we're glad you posted. Use the search box to find keywords in discussions and thread topics as you continue your research... you'll need a lot of minutes...

I'm glad to hear that you'll have access to both a sizing guide and mask(s) to try on. Also, here is the link to Janknitz's blog on 'Taming the Mirage Quattro' that bayourest mentioned: http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

Best of luck to you!
Cheers,
Jess