ResMed Quattro FX mask

[zeeser]

Can a mouth breathing, side sleeping full bearded guy with a IPAP of 20 find lasting happiness with a ResMed Quattro FX Full Face mask?

[Otter]

With a gasket/liner cut out of an old t-shirt and moleskin on my nose, the mask is working reasonably well for me. Not perfect yet, but I only recently got the right (less wrong) size headgear.

I have a full beard, sleep only on my side, and breath through my mouth part of the time, though after a while the machine usually manages to blast my nose clear. If you're just getting started, you might be surprised at how much you breath through your nose once the mask is on.

But my apap is set for 16.4 max, and I've never noticed it go over 16.2. The mask does leak more at 16 than at 12, but it hasn't been a major problem yet. Sometimes my S9 goes up to at least 19, maybe all the way to 20, in mask fit mode (something in the bugware). I'm not sure if it would keep a good seal all night at that pressure, but it doesn't blow the mask off my face. Sort of feels like it might at any minute, though. But then, I've got the headgear adjusted for lower pressures.

Of course, everyone's face is different, and you won't really know until you try. If there's a local DME that has a place where you can lie on your side and try out masks, that could save you a lot of time and money. Remember to bring your pillow. I had to skip this step because the locals wouldn't accept my doctor's prescription. They were convinced my head would explode if I didn't get a sleep study first. But I seem to have gotten lucky with the QFX. May you have good luck too.

[Vader]

I have only used the QFX one night, but I'm quite impressed, so far.
It was great to not have to use nexcare paper tape on the bridge of my nose. My AHI looked slightly lower than average, but it's too early to tell if that proves to be a trend or not.
I do a lot of mouth breathing also, and I have a full beard, but close trimmed.
This looks to be an impovement on the Mirage Quattro, just as it was an improvement (in my opinion) on the Ultra Mirage FF.
My auto pressure range is 11-15
But having said all that, what works for one person may not neccessarily work for another. I think you just have to try it and see for yourself.

[Josh816]

My pressure is 16, I had surgery to correct a deviated septum a few months back so I've always breathed through my mouth, and I use an oral appliance + CPAP.

I've tried tons of full face masks and the ResMed Quattro FX certainly isn't comfortable, but it's better than the others I've used. I like the small profile, BUT it constantly rides up. Although it's supposed to sit low on the bridge of your nose, mine always ends up high on the bridge and the side straps are near the bottom of my eyes.

My AHI averages 1.5 or so, and I average about 7 hours a night...but I'm still extremely tired and trying to figure out what to do next.

[proctor78]

I have had it 2 night and it is lighter than most but it rides up my nose all the time which make it leak....

[balor123]

So I'm not the only one to put tape across the top to keep my nose from bleeding? I sent an email to their "inventions" department but who knows if it'll go anywhere. I'd love it if that whole head piece was detachable as well. Anyway, I have the Quattro FX mask however I'm not impressed with it. If it were just a Quattro without the head piece I'd be thrilled but the mask and lips are smaller. The result is that the mask feels cramped. More importantly, it leaks like crazy when you sleep on your side since the lips are smaller. Also because it can slide up your nose. You can train yourself to sleep on your back but that seems counterproductive, no?

[Vader]

I'll tell ya, I am very impressed with the QFX. My AHI has been lower than ever all three nights so far. I have never before had an AHI as low as 1.0
I'm not getting any vibratory snores either, and those could go pretty high. Evidently my machine was reading a lot of mask flatulence(Quattro leaks) as VS's
I'm not having any issues with the QFX sliding up my nose, and I sleep on my side most of the night.
I am surprised though, that it's been such a perfect fit for me. But it does once again prove that every face is different, and every mask fits everyone differently.
It's great that we're getting more and more better choices. I'm only sorry that I waited so dang long to try out the QFX!

[balor123]

I think that may be my problem. I have a very healthy weight and I suspect that most sleep apnea patients do not and that changes their face shape considerably.

[Guest]

The Q-FX is the only mask I've used, I've had it with my machine for 3 weeks and I like it. It fits well and seals well and doesnt need to be extra tight. The straps are a little uncomfortable but all in all it's a good mask.

I wasnt sure how it would work with a beard though. I try to keep myself clean shaven now.

[Vader]

I think that may be my problem. I have a very healthy weight and I suspect that most sleep apnea patients do not and that changes their face shape considerably.

I know quite a few folks with apnea who aren't overweight. I'll admit I'd like to reverse the gravity trend in my stomach, but at 170lbs, 6 feet tall, I ain't doing too bad for an old man!

[balor123]

Huh... maybe its nose shape then? My theory is that the Qattro leaks less because the larger lips allow for greater movement without creating a leak.

[Otter]

I have had it 2 night and it is lighter than most but it rides up my nose all the time which make it leak....

Try putting a 1/2" wide piece of moleskin where the mask rests, from eye to eye, all the way across the bridge of your nose. This helped my nose leaks quite a bit. You'll probably want to round the corners where the moleskin meets the area under your eyes, as having points there can be irritating.

[balor123]

Do you have pictures by any chance? Actually, it would be a useful to see which masks people like and what they look like on them.

[JeffH]

Can a mouth breathing, side sleeping full bearded guy with a IPAP of 20 find lasting happiness with a ResMed Quattro FX Full Face mask?

Probably not. I wore a beard for most of my adult life and when I had to go to a FFM I went with the QFX and I really like it, but the beard had to go. I've been on the hose for several years and nasal pillows let me keep my beard, but progressively worse SDB forced me to change things I had to change to live.

Good luck

JeffH

[chinadollx]

Hi I also use the Quattro FX and I just love it best mask I used so far and I have used several of them .... BUT I use Remzzzs that fits over the mask and they are awesome don't know if anyone has heard of them but they are a life saver they are a soft cloth cut to fit what ever mask you wear.... and no more sore nose or air leaks it takes care of all those problems ... if your interested the site to buy them is just the name of their site the same name as the product so check it out you won't be sorry! Good luck.........