Help, which FF mask?

[JulieKalber]

I know this subject has been covered countless times and I am sorry for the repetition. I have done a search but am just confusing myself even more. I am going to buy yet another mask this morning - this is getting expensive.

I have the Phillips Fit Life full face mask - hated it, got claustrophobic and might as well not had it on, as it gushed air from everywhere. I got this mask initially, so had no idea about different masks etc. I cannot exchange or try out masks (here in Australia). I now have two masks that I can't use.

I need a full face mask. I have narrowed it down to three choices.

The Quattro FX (is that going to stay on my face, given it has no forehead support?). I am a side sleeper, by the way.

Then there is the Mirage Quattro and the Ultra Mirage - what are the differences between these two masks?

How often are we supposed to change the cushions on these masks?

Sigh, the more I seem to get my head around this stuff (pardon the pun ) the more confused I seem to be.

Thanks for any help with this.

Julie

[chunkyfrog]

Ultra Mirage is an earlier model, but still available and supported--some prefer it.
I've never tried it, but my face is not the right shape for the Quattro or Quattro FX.
Your face and your fit is the final determiner of whether or not a mask will work.
My best-fitting full-face is my P/R comfortgel ff.
The Fisher-Paykel 431 is a multi-size mask,but you need a wider jaw than I have.
Their 432 is a good fit for me; and also the P/R full life (similar to quattro FX, but multi size is available.)
Fit varies with everyone.

[bayourest]

Everyone's face is different. I used mirage quattro and then mirage ultra and hated both, although the ultra was more comfortable than the mirage. I now use the quattro FX and I really like it. You have to put it on in a particular way (swing it down) and there are videos that show that clearly. On this list there are people who really like and who really dislike each of the FFMs. It's like buying shoes...they have to fit YOU.
so try them. I think the cushion should be replaced about every 3 mos but I'll be interested to see what others say. i highly recommend a padacheek liner to add to the comfort and reduce leaks for whatever FFM you get.

[Burkebang]

I am a sidesleeper also. After reading a great deal of reviews I got the Mirage Quattro. The very nicely adjustable forheadsupport is said to keep the mask very secure for sidesleepers.
I'm very happy with my mask, it stays on my face even if I toss and turn. It takes a lot of pressurevariation with low tension on the headgear without leaking, but will "bellow" noticably if you use exhale relief at high pressures. The mask is very quiet even at high pressures. This is a very high quality product and if it fits your face as well as it does mine, you'll be very happy with it.

[Bons]

I use the Fisher Paykel 431 (must have a boxier jaw than chunkyfrog because the 432 is way too snug for me). I prefer it to the quatro because the chin shelf keeps my mouth from slacking open in my sleep. With the quatro, my mouth would be open below the bottom of the mask. I sleep on my side, and the 431 does fine with that.

As to your other question, insurance companies allow you to get a new liner every three months, and I find that it really needs to be replaced that often. My DME doesn't purchase liners separately, so if I go through them I have to wait the six months for a full mask replacement. I find that at the 90-day point I have to start using mask liners to prevent leaks. If the insurance companies are willing to replace them that soon, you know they should be replaced that soon!

[retrodave15]

I have used the Quattro FX and the Mirage Quattro. The Quattro FX slid around on my face and would start leaking when i flipped on my side. The Mirage Quattro seems more stable as I think the forehead pad helps anchor the mask, especially for side sleepers.

As for getting expensive, my DME allows mask exchanges within a 30 day period. I have been though 3 official changes, and one demo unit they sent home with me. They have never asked for the old masks back. I would check with your DME on the exchange policy as my RT told me that ResMed has the most liberal exchange policy. I currently go between a Mirage FX nasal mask and a Mirage Quattro, with the Mirage Quattro currently being my mask of choice right now.

Best of luck to you finding a new mask, it is a very personal choice. The last time I was at the DME, the RT brought out about 6 different full face masks from Respironics, ResMed, and Fisher and Paykel for me to try out. Take your time and don't leave until you feel comfortable.

Dave

[b360155]

The Quattro FX has been my ffm of choice now for about 2 months but as noted previously, mask fitting varies from one face to the next. I have not changed my face cushion yet. My insurance company covers 1 ffm face cushion replacement per month.

I also recommend Padacheek mask liners. I have been able to consistently obtain ahi scores under 1.0 combined with single digit MAXIMUM leak rates. I did need to trim a small amount of fabric in the mouth opening though to get the fit right so the mask wouldn't slip in the middle of the night.

In my opinion, using the Padacheek mask liners make the mask more comfortable to wear, will reduce the need to replace face cushions as often since it keeps face oils from forming on the face cushion and reduces leaks when trimmed and fitted properly.

[JulieKalber]

Wow, thank you so much for all the responses.

I am in Australia. There are sleep clinics and suppliers of masks and equipment, but it is not covered by our medicare system here - I don't have private extra insurance, so I am up for all expenses. The suppliers here (till recently) have had a captive audience, they can basically charge what they want to. There is a consult charge ($100?) and each mask costs about $300 - the machines are about $2400.
I have been able to find a guy who has sleep apnea for years, and got fed up with the overcharging and pious attitudes of these suppliers, so he started importing equipment directly. His mask prices are a third of what the suppliers charge. The machines are at least half price. The down side is that if you buy a mask that turns out to be not suitable, you cannot exchange it. Sounds hard, but I understand why he has that policy.

So, having bought masks, I was thinking 'here I go again, I now need a proper FF Mask.' Then I realised that no exchange is still a lot cheaper than going for the fitting and costs from the suppliers. I now have six masks for less than the cost of two via the suppliers. Given that I am new to this, chances are I will use most of them once I can work out proper fitting and my sinuses! Except that FF Fit Life welder's mask thing....whoa, scarey thing indeed.

So off I went armed with your advice. I have ended up coming back with the Mirage Quattro and the Red Med Full Life. I think that should cover it!
I have had a fiddle with them and am quite happy at how they feel/fit. Sleeping with them may be somewhat different, but I am learning - par for the course.

Thanks again, lovely people. I would not be coping at all without your support.

Julie

[NotSleepingBeauty]

Do a search on the forum for "Taming the Mirage Quattro", or someone who has been here longer may give you a link. I use the Mirage Quattro. You need to fit it while laying down... Good luck!

[Perrybucsdad]

Why haven't you tried the mast rental/trial for $14 a mask over at Cpap Library? Their link is http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html ... hell of a way to save cash and try out a bunch of different masks and find the one you can use without breaking the bank.

May I ask why you are using a FFM vs a nasal mask?

John

[NotSleepingBeauty]

I did not know about this option! I am going to try it out for sure. I am wondering if a hybrid may work for me. Thanks!

[Perrybucsdad]

I did not know about this option! I am going to try it out for sure. I am wondering if a hybrid may work for me. Thanks!

Why were you given the FFM in the first place?

[NotSleepingBeauty]

I like my FFM. I tried a nasal mask and could not keep my mouth shut. Air would fill my mouth and I would get "chipmonk Cheeks". Then I would let the air out of my mouth and that would start a current, I would eventually end up swallowing some air and get intense gas pains. No matter how hard I tried, I could not stop my mouth from filling up with air.

Would I have the same problem with a hybrid, you think?

[JulieKalber]

Do a search on the forum for "Taming the Mirage Quattro", or someone who has been here longer may give you a link. I use the Mirage Quattro. You need to fit it while laying down... Good luck!

Thank you. I actually went there and decided that the Mirage might work with that support!

[JulieKalber]

Why haven't you tried the mast rental/trial for $14 a mask over at Cpap Library? Their link is http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html ... hell of a way to save cash and try out a bunch of different masks and find the one you can use without breaking the bank.

May I ask why you are using a FFM vs a nasal mask?

John

I didn't know they did that, John. I wonder if they would send the mask to Australia though?

I am using a nasal mask and pillows right now. I am having trouble with the pillows staying put, but will get some O rings to try that. I wanted to have a FF mask to use when my sinuses are blocked or I have a cold.

Julie