Full face masks

RAMBLINMAN · Post by **RAMBLINMAN** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 7:52 pm

Hi all,

Right now I use a ResMed full face mask and was wondering if there are other out here who might use a different company's full face mask?

or

If anyone has used different full face mask and found and one better than the other, in reference to leaks or less pain to the bridge of their nose?

I see that Respironics has a full face mask that mentions that the mask fits lower on your nose to reduce pressure off the bridge of your nose....would anyone use this mask to know if this is true?

Thanks all for your help

Ken

born to be mild · Post by **born to be mild** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 8:09 pm

It sounds like you're referring to the Respironics ComfortFull. I can only assume the marketing genius who dreamed up the title never actually attempted to wear the mask on a pillow.

Of course, it's a function of your facial shape. I can tell you that if the bridge of your nose juts out a half-inch or more (based on the CPAP.com sizing guide, #4 "nose depth"), then you'll likely have problems. As I see it, quarter-inch blisters and pustules after two nights equals a "problem."

Also "featured" are the ball-and-socket clips that allow for "simple insertion or removal." This would probably be true if the headgear straps could be worn at a comfortable tension. However, to keep the dern thing from leaking air all over (especially if you're a side-sleeper) than you have to ratchet the straps so tight that it's very difficult to get the clips undone, especially in the middle of the night when your hand/eye coordination is presumably diminished.

I wore it for two nights, but never again. I even paid extra for overnight shipping on my replacement mask just to make sure I wouldn't have to deal with a third night "full of comfort."

It would clearly qualify as a torture device in any CIA-approved sleep study.

damac100 · Post by **damac100** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:28 pm

I'm using the F & P FlexiFit 431. It's my first ever mask and it's only been a month but I seem to be getting long ok with it, so far. The only comfort issue I've had since I quit messing around with it and figured out how to wear it properly has been random nose and upper lip itches, which have nothing to do with the mask lol.
I do like that I can get a good seal with the mask and still have it loose enough fit to be able to sneek a finger between the mask and my skin to scratch at them itchies.

I have a fairly pronounced nose bridge (and rather biggish nose) and have no discomfort or undue preasure in that area.

Where it can tend to feel uncomfortable is on the cheekbones. When that happens I know I have it too tight and can loosen it up some.

For me, the mask tends to pivot at the cheekbone axis. If I have it too tight on the top straps, it'll leak at the bottom and vise versa. I tend to have the top straps just barely under tension and the bottom staps fairly tight and the mask stays put, mostly.

I do plan on getting a nasal pillow interface as soon as I can decide on which one to try.

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:48 pm

I love it!!!! I have six masks.

Only one full face, and that is the Respironics ComfortFull Face.

I rank them by MY preference.

1 tie Nasal Aire II (my first mask)
1 tie Respironics Comfortfull (my last mask)

3 Comfort Curve
4 Comfort Gel
5 Swift
6 Breeze

As so many posters can tell you, one mans favorite, is another's poison.

I love it. I rotate it with my other favorite, The Nasal Aire II, a pronged in the nose, mask. It was the last mask that I got from my DME, and was billed to my insurance.

I got it only because I wanted to try a FF mask and that is the brand that they handle.

I usually go two weeks and trade masks.

I am a side/stomach sleeper, very seldom ever on my back. I roll from one side to the other, and make a complete 360 several times before I awaken to unwind from the hose that is wound around my neck. I have never had a soreness from this mask at all. Sometime I just change to change. Fickle Me

It works for me, and works great.

I would like to try a different brand of full face mask just to know if there is one that is better suited for me. I plan on getting my next mask from a different DME who handles different brands of masks. My insurance company will now only buy one a year so I might as well try it on their dime as mine.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 12:37 pm

[quote="born to be mild"]It sounds like you're referring to the Respironics ComfortFull. I can only assume the marketing genius who dreamed up the title never actually attempted to wear the mask on a pillow.

Of course, it's a function of your facial shape. I can tell you that if the bridge of your nose juts out a half-inch or more (based on the CPAP.com sizing guide, #4 "nose depth"), then you'll likely have problems. As I see it, quarter-inch blisters and pustules after two nights equals a "problem."

Also "featured" are the ball-and-socket clips that allow for "simple insertion or removal." This would probably be true if the headgear straps could be worn at a comfortable tension. However, to keep the dern thing from leaking air all over (especially if you're a side-sleeper) than you have to ratchet the straps so tight that it's very difficult to get the clips undone, especially in the middle of the night when your hand/eye coordination is presumably diminished.

I wore it for two nights, but never again. I even paid extra for overnight shipping on my replacement mask just to make sure I wouldn't have to deal with a third night "full of comfort."

It would clearly qualify as a torture device in any CIA-approved sleep .

I also started out with the above mask in (M). What said is true, but life isn't easy, we have to adapt. In 15 days the strain on the straps broke the ball holder and I had to stay up all night (weekend) I used Epoxy and 6 hours to repair it. it is now 2 1/2 months old and I am still using it. My nose healed after a couple of days.

As far as treatment all is well, whistles and noises taken for granted, I will add the forehead clamp hook-up is poorly made, it also broke and is now set in hot melt glue. I made them give me a new one to replace the damaged one but will use the damaged one until the cows come home, after all you can't buy a armor plated one like mine.

I sleep on my sides and face down most of the time, but I can live with this mask. Iam running 15 for pressure no ramp.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:41 pm

I haven't tried the Resprionics mask, but I did try three ff masks before I found one that worked well for me. I started out with a ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face, size Med. as sized by the "respritory specialist" (delivery guy). The mask was too small and hurt the bridge of my nose while barely reaching below my lower lip. My second mask was a Ultra Mirage size Large, as sized by......well me. This fit better and didn't hurt my nose, but I had constant problems with leaks near my eyes. Finally, I tried the Fisher-Paykel 431, it comes with small, medium, and large gaskets that are interchangable. It works well for me, it is comfortable (as comfortable as one these things can be on your face while you're sleeping), and I have very few leaks.
Having said all that, everyone is different and you just have to keep trying until you find what works for you. Don't settle for one that hurts your nose. I'd gladly give you the Ultra Mirage Medium, I'm keeping the large just in case I have a problem with the F&P and need something until I can get it replaced.

SGN

coffee_addict · Post by **coffee_addict** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 10:42 am

SGN-

If you still have the "ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face, size Med", would you sell it to me? I had a size large, which I lost on a cruise, and would like to try a smaller size.

Thanks,
Tom

[quote="Anonymous"]I haven't tried the Resprionics mask, but I did try three ff masks before I found one that worked well for me. I started out with a ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face, size Med. as sized by the "respritory specialist" (delivery guy). The mask was too small and hurt the bridge of my nose while barely reaching below my lower lip. My second mask was a Ultra Mirage size Large, as sized by......well me. This fit better and didn't hurt my nose, but I had constant problems with leaks near my eyes. Finally, I tried the Fisher-Paykel 431, it comes with small, medium, and large gaskets that are interchangable. It works well for me, it is comfortable (as comfortable as one these things can be on your face while you're sleeping), and I have very few leaks.
Having said all that, everyone is different and you just have to keep trying until you find what works for you. Don't settle for one that hurts your nose. I'd gladly give you the Ultra Mirage Medium, I'm keeping the large just in case I have a problem with the F&P and need something until I can get it replaced.

SGN

rbv24 · Post by **rbv24** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:10 am

Ken,

I've been using the Hans Rudolph V7600 FFM since October and I've been very pleased with it especially since I purchased the new headgear about 3 weeks ago. What an improvement over the mesh cap that it came with. I had been using the Ultra Mirage FFM and had constant problems with leaks and the bridge of my nose getting chewed up no matter how I adjusted the straps.

Rob

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 3:14 pm

I use the Hans Rudoloh V7600 4 hole full face mask.

I ordered the medium HR V7600 4 hole for my hubby.

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 9:21 pm

coffee addict,

I am a "measured" large for the Ultra Mirage FF mask but find the medium works much better.

coffee_addict · Post by **coffee_addict** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:40 am

Thanks,

I was leaning towards going with the medium even though I was also "measured" large when I used the Mask Sizing Tool on cpap.com. I could make the large size work but it always seemed a bit too big.

[quote="Newsgrouper"]coffee addict,

I am a "measured" large for the Ultra Mirage FF mask but find the medium works much better.

twistedcherokee · Post by **twistedcherokee** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:41 am

I had the Resp. Comfortfull and it worked well for me. As it wore out I went to the Oracle II, and am thinking of getting another Comfortfull FF. I sleep on my side and back and have found that if you put it on a little loose it seals better.

Toby

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:47 pm

Hi rbv24, I am so glad you like your Hans Rudolph.

My husband gets to use his tonight for the first and I know his machine will be a lot quieter.

I can't wait. He has done nothing but fight and cuss with the Ultra Miarge and the nasal mask he has been using.

He still reaches over at night to see if I have my mask on since everything is so quiet and he cannot hear anything above the roar of the obscenities from the Ultra Mirage.

Miss Rumphius · Post by **Miss Rumphius** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:58 pm

I'm new and over and over I hear people say they had to use trial-and-error to find the right mask. I'm hoping that 2 approaches will help me avoid or at least minimize the hunt. First of all, cpap.com has a sizing guide that will recommend masks likely to work according to your facial measurements. Second, I'm going to search for a DME that has an RT actually measure my face. I figure I'll start out with the mask chosen for me by the sleep technologist, presumably an expert fitter. It's the FP 431 Full Face Mask.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:06 pm

[color=indigo]Good Luck Miss Rumphius on finding a DME that actually knows how toread a caliper. They don't.

You have to have a caliper to measure your face yourself, call the company to get the correct size mask then tell your DME the size of the mask you are needing.

I have found this out myself with measuring for any of my masks.

I have even had the DME rep just look at me and tell me which size I need and of course the size was not correct.

You have to know what you want and the correct size before ever going to a DME, most do not know how to size.[/color]

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