High pressure + facial hair = which mask?

[dwynne]

Time for my insurance to buy me a new mask. I have been using the "ComfortGel Blue Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear" which is my original and only mask I have tried at home (used some different ones during sleep study).

My machine is set at 15 / 11 so nasal pillows are out of the question, I think.

I get and still have "sores" from my current mask. If I stay on my back, I have the leaks pretty much under control. If I sleep on my side or tummy then I have to be careful I don't have major leakage. I have been real good (surprising myself) about not doing much mouth breathing, but if I don't stay on my back I can get a good amount of drool going (yuck).

Should I just get a new ConfortGel or try something else? How long does a mask last? Suggestions for something to try?

Thanks!

[thud]

My therapy pressure was 19 but 2 days ago the doc dropped it down to 16. I use nasal pillows(swift LT) at both these pressures.

[jamiswolf]

Hi,
I use the ComfortGel nasal as well. Good for leak control but uncomfortable. Oh and I have a beard too. I've tried the Resp. Easylife...more comfortable but more leaks. I've currently gone back to the ComfortGel FF which didn't seal to well at first but now is doing better for me.

I'd try something different but I'm at a loss to make a recommendation. There is a mask exchange program out there for people to trial different masks. Maybe someone can tell you who runs that or use search. I don't know.

Also, I've heard good things about the Ultra Mirage II nasal but haven't tried it. That's going to be my next mask.
J

Found that info for you...
you may want to look into the Mask Trial Program at http://www.cpaplibrary.com - you can try out a mask of your choice for a week, and you only pay $14 (to cover the cost of shipping both ways)

[dwynne]

I have met my out of pocket max for the year (one sleep study + machines does that quick) so I want to let insurance pay for the next mask, which means local. I should get a 30 day trial with whatever I choose, but it is a hassle to have to go back and forth.

Have you looked at the "SleepWeaver Advance Nasal CPAP Mask with Zzzephyr Seal" ? https://www.cpap.com/productpage/circad ... dgear.html When I did a "help me choose" a mask at cpap.com that came up as one of the few choices...

[Pugsy]

Don't automatically throw out the nasal pillow options if you wish to try it. Many Swift FX, Swift LT and Opus 360 users get by just fine with them at pressures much higher than you use. They don't blow out the nose and end up across the room from the high pressures. They do seal quite well and are remarkably more stable than some of the DMEs say at the higher pressures.

I have used nothing but nasal pillow mask ever since I started therapy. I often see 18 or 19 cm pressures on my reports and I also routinely have zero to minimal leak line.