New AMARA FF Mask - size petite

[VikingGnome]

Just got home with the new Phillips Respironics AMARA FF mask. It's size "petite" is smaller than ResMed Mirage Quattro Extra Small. I think this mask is a keeper. This one doesn't sit high above my nsasl bridge so blows air in eyes or sits low on chin causing face farts. Just exactly the correct distance between nasal bridge and chin cleft. Headgear straps are narrower than RedMed's but Pad-A-Cheek will still work. Headgear also shaped differently so won't creep up the back of my head.

I'll let you know more after I've tried it a couple of nights.

[cherylgrrl]

I was excited about trying the Amara, but unfortunately I woke up with a big fluid-filled sore on the bridge of my nose. I tried 2 sizes (I was in between) and neither worked for me.

[LSAT]

Just got home with the new Phillips Respironics AMARA FF mask. It's size "petite" is smaller than ResMed Mirage Quattro Extra Small. I think this mask is a keeper. This one doesn't sit high above my nsasl bridge so blows air in eyes or sits low on chin causing face farts. Just exactly the correct distance between nasal bridge and chin cleft. Headgear straps are narrower than RedMed's but Pad-A-Cheek will still work. Headgear also shaped differently so won't creep up the back of my head.

I'll let you know more after I've tried it a couple of nights.

I hope you are right, but, I don't know how you can determine that this is a 'keeper' without spending a single night with it.

[VikingGnome]

I think it's a keeper because it's the first FF mask that even fits. All the others I've tried were too big (even Quattro Extra Small). I have a very short face (brachyfacial according to my orthodontist years ago). The distance from indentation at the bridge of my nose to the cleft between lower lip and chin is under 3 inches. The smallest FF mask I tried so far was 3.5 inches. So that extra half inch plus either goes too high and leaks into eyes or too low and leaks at the sides and chin. Also, the other small sizes I've tried on were too wide for my face extending sides around face (leaky leaky).

The Xtra small Quattro is the only one I even took home for a trial. Had two good nights with minimal leaks after exhaustive adjustments. But I don't like where the exhaust vent is. It's in the middle of the mask about midnose. So the only way the air isn't blowing on covers, pillow, or tubing is flat on your back. (Have you noticed all the advertisements for CPAP mask show a person laying on their back???)

My pressure is 16 so getting a FF that doesn't leak is a challenge enough. Then try fitting a abnormally small adult face. So asked my DME to find masks made for preteens. She came up with AMARA as one of the few masks that come in PETITE size (smaller than every mask I've tried). Its range is 2.5 - 3 inches.

I'm guessing the reason you had a blister on your nose is that you have hump on the bridge of your nose. (That's a hard face to fit with a mask that's supposed to seal at the bridge of the nose.) I have a very recessed bridge with eyes close together. So most masks touch the inner corners of my eyes and my eyelashes flick on the mask when I blink.

I tried 3 different sizes of the Amara with my machine and pressure at the DME (BYO gear). This one was labelled "RS" and another "S". DME didn't know what the letters meant. I joked "Maybe RS is Really Small and S is Small". Anyway, the RS came home with me after adjusting and trying for 30 minutes. I have 30 days to exchange it if I can't make it work. I have my Pad-A-Cheek stuff all clean and ready for tonight.

[cherylgrrl]

I'm guessing the reason you had a blister on your nose is that you have hump on the bridge of your nose

The very expensive surgeon who gave me a beautiful nose would be offended!

This one was labelled "RS" and another "S". DME didn't know what the letters meant. I joked "Maybe RS is Really Small and S is Small"

The Amara comes in 2 "small" sizes. One is with reduced size headgear like the "petite" uses (I'd guess that's the RS) while one is with regular sized headgear. If your DME can't look this up like I can, I wouldn't place much faith in them!

[chunkyfrog]

The Amara comes in four sizes, but 5 combinations, the Petite only comes with RS (smaller) headgear;
the Small can be bought with either regular or RS headgear, and the Medium and Large come standard with regular headgear. I tried the Small with RS headgear, finding the headgear to be the right size,
and the mask to be the right dimensions in height and width, but not depth, as it failed to seal reliably
on my little green chin. . .
This I became aware of about an hour into the night. (I really LIKED it up to then.)

[VikingGnome]

Last night was great. It took a while to fall asleep because the different air flow within the mask. Also had to bump up temperature from what was comfortable with my nasal mask. Got it to fit without leaks right away with my Pad-A-Cheek mask liner and neck/lower strap padding. I didn't even need to use the Anti-Leak strap. In the morning my AHI was 1.9. It was a good night one. I like the forehead cushion on this mask. It's a single piece of silicone that has air space inside so it absorbs bumps without dislodging. Much better than the 2-3 little solid cushions on ResMed.

Coment on my DME: They are not very knowledgeable about much. They sell mostly ResMed stuff but also stock Respironics. She said this was a "brand new masK" they just got in and didn't know anything about it. I don't think they have an RT on staff. But they are very good about calling me about whether I need supplies when Medicare says I'm eligible. They must have computer software that alerts them when patients are due. They are not pushy about it. If I say I don't need a new hose, that's ok with them. I don't rely on them for my information. This forum is my goldmine.

[BostonSleeper]

I also have new AMARA after problems with nose bridge and leaks on the FullLife Fullfit. Reading the comments here and seeing a lot about Pad-A-Cheek mask liner. Can someone say more about what this is and how you use it?

Thanks and best regards,

Bob

[VikingGnome]

OK, the AMARA was a bust for me. I had two good nights and then constant leaks. Also, the mini-whirlwind inside the mask is very distracting. Hard to sleep from the turbulence and noise. The vents blow out very strong without being diffused.

So I'm back to my Activa LT and still trying chin straps. The PapCap didn't work well after first night. So I padded the chin cup on the Respironics Premium and have had two good nights without it slipping or leaving deep grooves in my chin. Almost bought Ruby adjustable but read too many negative comments about it. So if the Respironics Premium keeps giving me good nights, I'm staying with what I have.

[zoocrewphoto]

The Xtra small Quattro is the only one I even took home for a trial. Had two good nights with minimal leaks after exhaustive adjustments. But I don't like where the exhaust vent is. It's in the middle of the mask about midnose. So the only way the air isn't blowing on covers, pillow, or tubing is flat on your back. (Have you noticed all the advertisements for CPAP mask show a person laying on their back???)

I use the Quattro FX which also has the vent in the front in the center. I have no problem sleeping on my side. Sometimes, I have to slightly adjust my aim, but for the most part, I don't even notice the exhaust.

[BostonSleeper]

Was a bust for me as well. Super loud, air from vent going right into me eyes. Back to FullLife in spite of nose bridge trouble.