My first FFM (amara)

[Ruinednose]

I got the FFM today from my dme. The only one they carry the "amara"
And damn tried it on and it just leaks a little here and then. Other then hat I find it awefull experience with the FFM
Any tips on leak stopping?

[Bill44133]

I got the FFM today from my dme. The only one they carry the "amara"
And damn tried it on and it just leaks a little here and then. Other then hat I find it awefull experience with the FFM
Any tips on leak stopping?

Try washing your face before you put the mask on.

[Ruinednose]

I got the FFM today from my dme. The only one they carry the "amara"
And damn tried it on and it just leaks a little here and then. Other then hat I find it awefull experience with the FFM
Any tips on leak stopping?

Try washing your face before you put the mask on.

Thanks for the help

I have showered and shaved freshly and it's still just awefull. Maybe the Amara is not a good FFM. But it's the only one my e messes with. The others are nasal mask or pillows ect....

[krstms]

Be careful not to tighten to tight on your nose. I have this mask and it's tearing my nose up. A man that works at the DME said he had the same problem with this mask. I have the silicone mouthpiece but apparently you can get a gel one. The DME is ordering the gel mask but until then they gave me a clear jelly like thing to put over my nose. It helps but it makes it more likely to leak. Good luck and hopefully you will have a better time with it than I am.

[Julie]

There are many different FFM's and thinking the one you were given is necessarily going to fit your face is just asking too much! Even if it's your size. You must try others before giving up on the idea of one... cutting off your nose to spite your face . Go check out all the others at Cpap.com (who sell return insurance) and see what else might be likely... even then you may well end up trying a few as most of us have.

[49er]

I got the FFM today from my dme. The only one they carry the "amara"
And damn tried it on and it just leaks a little here and then. Other then hat I find it awefull experience with the FFM
Any tips on leak stopping?

Ruinednose,

Your DME should be able to special order a mask for you if you see something on cpap.com that you like. And you should have 30 days to return although many DMEe play fast and loose with that policy.

Is there another DME you can use who might give you alot better service? Only having one FF mask to try is disgraceful.

And are you sure you are limited to FF masks? I would have sworn that was my situation but thanks to a good friend giving me a sleep weaver elan to try, I am finding that to not be true. I am making slow progress.

49er

PS - If you can't find a DME to cooperate, you might want to start with full face masks on cpap.com that have a completely free return policy in which you don't have to buy return insurance. There are lots to choose from.

[hyperlexis]

I got the FFM today from my dme. The only one they carry the "amara"
And damn tried it on and it just leaks a little here and then. Other then hat I find it awefull experience with the FFM
Any tips on leak stopping?

Definitely watch the Respironics fitting videos on their website, or YouTube.

Also the gel cushion version may be a good alternative if you can't make the regular silicone version work. I found it much less prone to pressure sores on the nose and very comfortable. Good luck!

[Ruinednose]

THe worst mask ever that i have experienced i quickly went back to my EASY life mask and i loved it.
by far the best nasal mask for me

[Foggy1]

Use a mask liner to help with the leaks. I use RemZZZs, but many others like the Pad-a-Cheek liners.

[Ruinednose]

Use a mask liner to help with the leaks. I use RemZZZs, but many others like the Pad-a-Cheek liners.

how does that work and how can it stop leaks???

[sleepstar]

I wish I had good things to say about the amara
I have not seen one patient where it had been good.

Ask to try the Quattro air or fisher and paykel simplus.

Both new masks that I've seen work really well.

[VikingGnome]

The AMARA was terrible for me. It leaked even with mask liner. But what I hated the most was the mini tornado INSIDE the mask. Where the air is coming into the mask is just above nose. The air swirls around and then exits exhaust. Two nights was all I could tolerate.

The AMARA is the CHEAPEST FF mask by Respironics. Your DME should have other Respironics FF masks for you to try. Take it back before 30 days for free exchange. This time, be sure the RT actually tries it on your face and TURNS ON air. That's the only way you will know if it leaks. Many DME's refuse to connect you to CPAP and hose when fitting masks so you would be wise to take in your own machine and hose.

[SuddenlyWornOut45]

It is good you took my advice and went and got a FFM. Unfortunately, it sounds as if your FFM sucks. The first time I used my FFM, I hated the thing. The solution (for me) was to sit down one night, watch all the Resmed Quattro FFM videos (in those days Resmed issued a "how to wear" CD with each FFM). And spent two hours laying on my bed awake, adjusting the straps and nose dial to get it "right." The first month was rough, I ended up getting a blister on the bridge of my nose that eventually went away...luckily I am not diabetic.

But the solution (for me) was and still is, to wear the thing pretty tight. That cuts the leaks out. Some cannot tolerate doing that and I understand and do not recommend it for everybody, probably not even for most. But for some I believe it is the only way. The companies that make these masks make these public claims that these masks should all fit "loose" and there should be "no discomfort," yeah get real...especially if you have higher pressures of say, 10 and over. Youre gonna get leaks and leaks wake you up and screw up your CPAP therapy big time.

Eric

[krstms]

I agree. The only way I can get the amara to work is to tighten it pretty tight. I know this is not ideal but it leaks otherwise. I just have to protect my nose Just got the gel cushion today. Hopefully it will work better.

[SuddenlyWornOut45]

the advice of many others here is spot on. It sounds "odd" that your DME "only deals with the amara FFM. I dont even know what the amara FFM is.

For me, the ONLY FFM thats worth a damn is the original Resmed Quattro FFM. Not the Resmed Quattro FX...that thing sucks. I have not tried that new Resmed FFM, the one that is advertised as being real light on your face. But I strongly suspect the claims are snake oil, mostly, especially if your pressures are high.

Here is my advice. Acquire a new Resmed Quattro FFM, properly sized. Size makes a huge difference. The advice to buy one out of pocket from the store that sponsors this website is good advice, IMO. I buy spare Quattro cushons from this site a few times a year.

The Resmed Quattro FFM is considered "the heavy hitter," no bs full face mask. Properly fitted and adjusted, it will handle the WORST jaw drop...that is sleeping with your mouth open. It is the BEST FFM for jaw drop on the market, IMO. I hope Resmed never tries to reinvent the wheel on that mask, as it aint broke I hope Resmed does not try to fix the original Quattro and screw it up in the process.

If you sleep with your mouth open, the Quattro FFM, fitted correctly will shut mouth leak down cold and on the first night. I'd seriously suggest buying a Quattro FFM out of pocket and then finding a local DME that deals in stuff other than Respironics gear.

Sleeping with your mouth open and waking up with dry mouth is THE CARDINAL SIGN of jaw drop and mouth leak. Chin straps and silliness such as that do not work for serious jaw drop...chin straps are like a band aid. You need the real deal.

The thing to know about these FFM's is the main reason for them is because you have jaw drop and you mouth leak. Unfortunately, most FFM's are poorly designed and do a poor job at handling jaw drop. Your lower jaw opens in your sleep and slides right out of the bottom of your FFM and the leaks start, waking you up. Quattro wont do that even with your mouth held wide open, when adjusted right.

Wow that was a lot of stuff to write, I just hate to see a new CPAP user get jaded and give up because they have poor equipment support offline. The mask is the single most important factor in achieving CPAP compliance, studies have shown.

Eric