looking for a new mask...

[beanz1910]

so iv had my cpap machine for years. by years i mean by now its 5+ years and i have NEVER once slept with it on for one full night. I am a full mouth breather. I always tend to rip my mask off feeling so clusterphobic. I have been on almost every setting/pressure setting of my machine in the past 5 years thinking it was always my pressure or settings. Now im starting to think its maybe my mask all this time. I have never used another mask.

I currently have this mask..

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html


Its either if its too loose it leaks so much and im forced to tighten it very tight.

I was looking into another mask to get and im torn between a hybrid or JUST a mouth mask. When my cpap was given to me years back i was given a pair of nasal pillows and pretty much couldnt even used them since i dont even use my nose to breathe when i sleep, and having your mouth open with the nasal pillows was so bad.

I was looking at this mask..

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... -mask.html

reviews on it are okay but everyone says it gives you dry mouth. I have been a mouth sleeper for my entire life and dry mouth when sleeping and waking up is MY LIFE. I wont mind that at all. I use a lot of dry mouth wash and mints while i sleep to prevent this anyway.

I was also looking at this hybird.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

I dont use my nose when i sleep but was thinking this hybird might work since its both oral and nasal mask.

anyone have any input if they have these masks or anything?

[Pugsy]

We have one member here who uses the Oracle mouth only mask...
here's what he composed about it last year
viewtopic/t106623/Oracle-452-Lessons-Updated.html

You might also look at the Respironics Amara View full face mask...it's sort of a hybrid except it doesn't use nasal pillows in the nose...it uses a cradle cushion for the nasal interface as well as the usual cushion over the mouth.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

I have actually used the Amara View successfully and that's saying something for me because I am a nasal pillow user. I kept the Amara View just in case I ever really had to have a full face mask..it's the first FFM I could even really get any sleep at all with.

I have tried the other hybrid you mentioned...the Respcare Hybrid...it's pretty good to but I like the Amara View better...it's easier to get and keep the seal and the headgear was a little more forgiving IMHO.

[ChicagoGranny]

I currently have this mask..

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respiro ... -mask.html

This is a great mask for me. I have used one for about five years, and Gramps has used one longer than that. It's easy to get fitted, and when adjusted properly, it's nearly leakproof.

JUST a mouth mask

Torture device, IMO.

I have been on almost every setting/pressure setting of my machine in the past 5 years thinking it was always my pressure or settings.

Just taking stabs in the dark? Or actually using SleepyHead software to manage your therapy?

Please fill out your equipment profile - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

[beanz1910]

We have one member here who uses the Oracle mouth only mask...
here's what he composed about it last year
viewtopic/t106623/Oracle-452-Lessons-Updated.html

You might also look at the Respironics Amara View full face mask...it's sort of a hybrid except it doesn't use nasal pillows in the nose...it uses a cradle cushion for the nasal interface as well as the usual cushion over the mouth.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -mask.html

I have actually used the Amara View successfully and that's saying something for me because I am a nasal pillow user. I kept the Amara View just in case I ever really had to have a full face mask..it's the first FFM I could even really get any sleep at all with.

I have tried the other hybrid you mentioned...the Respcare Hybrid...it's pretty good to but I like the Amara View better...it's easier to get and keep the seal and the headgear was a little more forgiving IMHO.

i wouldnt mind getting that amara one but the price is way too high for me honestly.

[Pugsy]

You have to call for the final pricing on the Respironics products...the final price isn't $169....I don't remember exactly what it costs but it's not the price shown...that's why it says call for pricing.
But...I know it is an expensive mask even with the discount.
I wasn't aware that you were self pay...which of course is an important consideration. It does come with 30 day free return insurance from cpap.com so if you hate it...you could get your money back and they even send you a printable prepaid shipping label so it costs nothing to send it back.

You might try forum member grayghost4....he used to have some new Amara View masks and he was selling them at a substantial discount. I don't know what sizes or prices...I have forgotten but you might check with him.

Nice thing about the Amara View is that the frame will fit all sizes...so if one size doesn't fit so great and someone wants to try a different size the only thing they need to buy is a different size cushion.

[beanz1910]

You have to call for the final pricing on the Respironics products...the final price isn't $169....I don't remember exactly what it costs but it's not the price shown...that's why it says call for pricing.
But...I know it is an expensive mask even with the discount.
I wasn't aware that you were self pay...which of course is an important consideration. It does come with 30 day free return insurance from cpap.com so if you hate it...you could get your money back and they even send you a printable prepaid shipping label so it costs nothing to send it back.

You might try forum member grayghost4....he used to have some new Amara View masks and he was selling them at a substantial discount. I don't know what sizes or prices...I have forgotten but you might check with him.

Nice thing about the Amara View is that the frame will fit all sizes...so if one size doesn't fit so great and someone wants to try a different size the only thing they need to buy is a different size cushion.

i have no idea how to go about getting the masks through my insurance. i got my machine so long ago i dont even know what doctor gave it to me.


maybe ill give the hybrid mask a try. cpap.com says i need a prescription to order the mask? uh, do i really need one? I have no idea how to even get one of those from a doctor, i dont have a doctor for my sleep apnea.

[Pugsy]

Yes..cpap.com (pretty much any online seller like cpap.com) will require a RX to be on file.
If you don't have one...do you have a family doctor who would write one for you...it doesn't have to be from sleep doctor or even your old doctor...anyone who can legally write prescriptions can write one that is acceptable.

The other alternative without RX...buy from a private individual...maybe find the mask on Amazon or find the parts on EBay and put the mask together with parts (full complete mask packages aren't allowed on EBay but replacement parts don't require a RX...dumb but that's the rules.

Cpap.com also offers the replacement parts without requiring a RX you don't get the free return insurance with just buying parts.

Usually to get insurance to pay you need a DME (cpap supplier) who will work with your insurance (you would need to check with your insurance to find out who in your area) and that DME will need documentation from a doctor. If insurance paid for your machine then the insurance company should have the documentation on their end. If you have changed insurance...that presents another hurdle.
Most insurance companies won't reimburse for online purchases if you provide a receipt but you never know till you ask...maybe yours does. If you have Medicare...don't bother because it won't reimburse for online purchases.

When paying totally out of pocket and not expecting insurance to be involved...buying privately is probably the most economical. Down side is there's no ability to return anything when buying privately.

I just found a medium complete package on EBay for $75....unusual as EBay normally will pull those listings...it may not stay up long
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Medium-Amara-Vi ... Sw3mpXJl-r

I just found this listing...headgear and hose/frame...$25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amara-View-Fram ... SwFEFXJmOE
then all you need is a cushion and there are many to choose from at various prices and sizes.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Ama ... mfe=search

To find out your size go to the link to the mask at cpap.com and click on the "sizing" guide upper right corner.
When buying in parts you need....headgear...hose and cushion. Sometimes you can find headgear and hose together or hose and cushion together.

I haven't checked Amazon but sometimes good deals can be found there but sometimes the prices are the same as online sellers.

You can do this with just about any new/current mask out there...but you have to know all the parts needs to complete the mask.

[LSAT]

Any doctor, dentist, or physicians assistant, can write you a prescription...it does not need to be a sleep doctor

[beanz1910]

Yes..cpap.com (pretty much any online seller like cpap.com) will require a RX to be on file.
If you don't have one...do you have a family doctor who would write one for you...it doesn't have to be from sleep doctor or even your old doctor...anyone who can legally write prescriptions can write one that is acceptable.

The other alternative without RX...buy from a private individual...maybe find the mask on Amazon or find the parts on EBay and put the mask together with parts (full complete mask packages aren't allowed on EBay but replacement parts don't require a RX...dumb but that's the rules.

Cpap.com also offers the replacement parts without requiring a RX you don't get the free return insurance with just buying parts.

Usually to get insurance to pay you need a DME (cpap supplier) who will work with your insurance (you would need to check with your insurance to find out who in your area) and that DME will need documentation from a doctor. If insurance paid for your machine then the insurance company should have the documentation on their end. If you have changed insurance...that presents another hurdle.
Most insurance companies won't reimburse for online purchases if you provide a receipt but you never know till you ask...maybe yours does. If you have Medicare...don't bother because it won't reimburse for online purchases.

When paying totally out of pocket and not expecting insurance to be involved...buying privately is probably the most economical. Down side is there's no ability to return anything when buying privately.

I just found a medium complete package on EBay for $75....unusual as EBay normally will pull those listings...it may not stay up long
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Medium-Amara-Vi ... Sw3mpXJl-r

I just found this listing...headgear and hose/frame...$25
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Amara-View-Fram ... SwFEFXJmOE
then all you need is a cushion and there are many to choose from at various prices and sizes.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=Ama ... mfe=search

To find out your size go to the link to the mask at cpap.com and click on the "sizing" guide upper right corner.
When buying in parts you need....headgear...hose and cushion. Sometimes you can find headgear and hose together or hose and cushion together.

I haven't checked Amazon but sometimes good deals can be found there but sometimes the prices are the same as online sellers.

You can do this with just about any new/current mask out there...but you have to know all the parts needs to complete the mask.

THANK YOU for that link. i bought it on ebay. I kind of wanted this one to test out the hybrid...

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

i see mixed reviews about it so ill test out the amara you suggested!


i dont know what size to get so i got a medium. I cant really use the size test because i dont have a printer haha. the other mask i have says "M" on it so i think ill just stick with medium.