Newbie - Help with Full Face Mask Please ---

[Luthie2006]

Hello, I am a newbie still on here. I have been doing GREAT with the WISP nasal mask for 3 weeks sleeping on my side. However, now I have extremely bad GERD and have had this for a long time even with meds but got worse now. Trying new meds all the time and having a scope on Monday. I must now sleep on my back propped up. I tried using the WISP nasal mask with a chin strap (I use it for side sleeping too), and it will not work for sitting up on my back for me anyways or any time on my back. Air comes out because I must open my mouth slightly at night. So now I am not using the machine.

Does anyone know of a decent full face mask for a woman with a medium face? I know that is a "loaded" question and personal preference. I have read so many reviews of full-fask masks leaks. Has anyone found a great full-fask mask that they can share with me that they are super happy with? I am upset because I did so well with the nasal mask. And I cannot use nasal pillows either. Thank you very much.

[flyingwithoutwings]

I was doing really great with the Wisp also and I am a side sleeper. But I started getting dry mouth so my DME gave me the Airfit F10. Which I like because it's so light but then I tried the Quattro Air and I like that one better. Turns out I don't need a FFM but I'm so comfortable with it I've continued using it. I use mask liners (I make my own out of old T-shirts), and that helps. The Airfit F10 and the Quattro Air both use the same mask cushion. The Airfit F10 doesn't have the forehead piece. I also learned that wearing a mouth guard helps in controlling leaks with FFM. I tried it, and it REALLY works.

Like Pugsy always says, some will love a mask and others will hate it. It's all personal preference.

[49er]

Hello, I am a newbie still on here. I have been doing GREAT with the WISP nasal mask for 3 weeks sleeping on my side. However, now I have extremely bad GERD and have had this for a long time even with meds but got worse now. Trying new meds all the time and having a scope on Monday. I must now sleep on my back propped up. I tried using the WISP nasal mask with a chin strap (I use it for side sleeping too), and it will not work for sitting up on my back for me anyways or any time on my back. Air comes out because I must open my mouth slightly at night. So now I am not using the machine.

Does anyone know of a decent full face mask for a woman with a medium face? I know that is a "loaded" question and personal preference. I have read so many reviews of full-fask masks leaks. Has anyone found a great full-fask mask that they can share with me that they are super happy with? I am upset because I did so well with the nasal mask. And I cannot use nasal pillows either. Thank you very much.

Hi Luthie,

What about trying the elan cloth mask that I use? As an FYI, when I considered sleeping on my wedge pillow, I gave it a trial run and it seemed to work. However, I didn't sleep this way through the night so I can't say for sure it would work for you. But it might be worth a shot.

Unfortunately, I have not been happy with any of the full face masks I have tried so I am not a good resource in that area. Good luck in finding something that works.

49er

[Luthie2006]

Thank you Flying With Wings and 49'r. I appreciate it. I really did not want to go to a full-face mask especially since I was doing so well with the WISP.
But now sitting up on a Wedge Pillow, nasal masks just don't work for me sitting up. I really rejected the idea of a full-face mask and my sleep clinician decided I should try the nasal mask first. I loved it, but I will see if I can try the AIRFIT 10 because of needing to sleep up. There is nothing worse than that dry mouth in the morning that feels like your lips are glued together. I first need to get an upper endoscopy next Monday morning. Thank you so much for the suggestion and if other readers are happy with the full-face AIRFIT 10, I would appreciate hearing back. Thank you.

[Luthie2006]

49'r: What is an elan cloth mask? Thank you.

[M'ohms]

Have you considered keeping the WISP and using a soft cervical collar instead of a chin strap? Chin straps did nothing for me, but a cervical collar works great. It props my jaw up and forward (unlike the chin strap which pulls your jaw back into your throat). It is surprisingly comfortable. I spent a year in a recliner and found this to be a very workable setup.

[Luthie2006]

Moh'ms: Thank you. A soft cervical collar? Interesting? Where would I get that? Wouldn't it be hot to wear? It is a shame, because the WISP worked so well on me. Do you know where I would get that collar? I hate to go with a full face mask but I am open.

[Luthie2006]

Mohm's also since you are a WISP wearer, the only one thing I had a little problem with was the air exhalation tubing blowing air all over the place.
Where do you put this exhalation tubing? I will try the cervical collar. What wonderful people you are!

[M'ohms]

You can find a soft cervical at any drugstore, like Walgreens, CVs, Walmart, etc. here is a link to one at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Duro-Med-Cervical ... eck+collar
I bought mine for around $8. Believe it or not, I have not found it to be hot, and I am a hot flash queen! I do not use the WISP. I have used the Swift FX, though, and am now using the Quattro FX full face mask. That's the beauty of the collar--you can use it with any mask!

[Luthie2006]

Thank you so much Mohm's. That will be my next fix! As far as the Listernine strips, when you tear them in half, do you use each half on each side of your closed lips to keep your lips closed? Thank you so much!!

[Luthie2006]

M'Ohms: Thank you again. How do you know your size on this cervical collar?

[flyingwithoutwings]

Have you considered keeping the WISP and using a soft cervical collar instead of a chin strap? Chin straps did nothing for me, but a cervical collar works great. It props my jaw up and forward (unlike the chin strap which pulls your jaw back into your throat). It is surprisingly comfortable. I spent a year in a recliner and found this to be a very workable setup.

So the cervical collar helps to keep the jaw forward? Just perfect for eliminating leaks with the FFM. Mouth guards help stop the leaks by keeping the jaw forward but they bother me. I think I'll try a cervical collar. Thanks!

[M'ohms]

The collar I bought is fully adjustable:

[Luthie2006]

Thank you M'ohms: Can you tell me where you bought this one? I could not find it online. Only found super wide width ones. My neck is small. Thank you so much! You are enlightening everyone on here.

[M'ohms]

I live in Southern Indiana just west of Louisville KY. We have a Wal-Mart-like store by the name of Meier's, and that is where I bought mine. Google "Carex Soft Cervical Collar" and you can find online merchants. I know I have seen cervical collars in Walgreens, CVS, Target, Wal-Mart, and Rite-Aid. If you go to a local store, just try one on for size!