Yet another Newbie! Full Face Mask?

EeyoreJohn · Post by **EeyoreJohn** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:04 pm

Long story short, I have been told for quite some time that friends have noticed I stop breathing while sleeping, but I never did anything about it until I started noticing it was becoming hard to concentrate at work. I've had my first sleep study of 25 AHI. Several days ago I have had my 2nd study with a xpap, and was told my pressure ended up being set at 12 - although I did not sleep well that night for lots of reasons.

In a couple of days, I talk to the doctor about my 2nd sleep study on the xpap. This might be a stupid question, but you never know the answer unless you ask - (and I have only seen this forum for about 2 days now)... but is there any reason not to start out on a full face mask if I do not think I would have a problem with the comfort factor? I know during the study I caught myself having the air pressure blow out of my mouth, so a full face mask seems easier than taping my chapped lips every night.

And thanks for the forum and not feeling alone with tons of questions about all of this. This sounds like an incredible group of people on here!

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:12 pm

I'm a newbie too and I'm planning to get a full face mask to start with because in the winter I often have congestion and want to ensure my sinus problems don't render me incapable of using a nasal mask. In the spring after cold season I'll probably pick up a nasal mask.

For myself, if I only have one mask, I want it to work under all conditions.

I'm looking forward to hearing what more experienced users say.

--Andy

jcranmer · Post by **jcranmer** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 2:19 pm

I go in on Monday to pick up my machine and get fitted for my first mask. I was going to ask them the same question, since I often get a stuffed up nose and have to breath from my mouth.

Ideally what I think I want is a nasal mask and a mask that covers both my nose and my mouth for the times when I have a cold or congestion.

James

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:06 pm

A FF Mask is a little harder to live with leaks and all, but that said with the FF Mask you don't have to worry about getting the needed treatment. As long as it's on correctly, you are assured of 100% treatment for that night, you don't have to guess, did I mouthbreath and lose treatment. Also most of us end up with congestion, with a FF Mask you have it covered.

I did my first year with a FF Mask, just to be sure, It's do-able. Jim

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:15 pm

I knew before I went in for my split-night study that I wanted/needed to use a full face mask. Did lots of comparing of different masks and features and ended up with the one I've been using since "day one". Can't imagine sleeping with something attached to or stuck up my nose.

Den

EeyoreJohn · Post by **EeyoreJohn** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 3:32 pm

Good Point about it fitting properly with no leaks. I walked into the 2nd study with the mindset, nobody is sticking anything up my nose. So I started out on a nasal mask (whatever one goes around just your nose). The thing kept leaking, so the tech kept making it tighter and tighter. It felt perfectly comfortable at first. I woke up later feeling like some evil mastermind had me strapped to something and was torturing me by drilling straight into my head. Once I revealed every secret I ever knew, realized where I was and it was just a pressure point on the mask, and had asked for another mask - they switched me to one that fits right under your nostrils. It was comfortable enough, but I was sore there the next morning.

Seriously, I will do whatever it takes to make this work, but if I can simplify things while I am starting out and learning how I can control this best and not some doctor I see only a couple of times, then I am all for it.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 4:14 pm

THERE ARE NO STUPID QUESTIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't say it enough! There are no stupid questions! If you're wondering, so is someone else. Any thing you are unsure of or are wondering about or don't quite understand....ASK! Someone will always answer you and clear up any inaccuracies.

Brenda

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:00 pm

Brenda said it the best-the only stupid questions are the ones not asked. I've been a critical care RN for 26 years and I knew nothing about apnea. I am happy to say that thanks to the wonderful apnea forums and trial and error I am comfortable with my CPAP. But that's not to say there's still not room to learn.

storminnormin · Post by **storminnormin** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 8:08 pm

I started with full face because I wanted it to work! Now that I've relaxed some, I am willing to try a nasal mask here in the near future. However, I will take steps to make sure I don't mouth breath as I don't want to lose any therapy. Sounds like you're serious and want to do this right. That doesn't mean a nasal mask won't work, you're just being extra careful right now. Go for it! Stormin

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:51 pm

I also started with a full face mask. I thought I could never nose breath.

I was happy with the ff mask, then I tried a swift that they had given me at the sleep study (I had quickly tried it that night and an paniced when the air went blasting in my nose and back out my mouth -- thought I would suffocate). They let me take it home to experiment with later.

Although I also had congestion in my nose and precpap and typically used my mouth to breath, I found that with the swift blasting up my nose, I actually could breath comfortably with it and preferred it to ff mask.

Everyone is different. If you think ff is the way to start by all means do it.
No reason not to, and you will eliminate some of the problems nasal mask users face.

BUT, at some point give a nasal mask a try and see what you think. You just might like it. You just never know.

jacko · Post by **jacko** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 10:19 pm

G'Day
I have just got my first FF mask a Fisher and Paykel 432 ,only used it 2 nights
Its not as comfortable as I hoped it would be ,but its not to bad .
I seem to start out ok with it but then get leaks early in the morning
I also have Swift nasal pillows a F&P 407 nasal and Breeze pillows
The f&P 407 is best so far but I just wanted to not have to tape my mouth every night for a while ,thats why I got the FF
So try the FF mask ,but give the nasal a go some time ,you will probably end up trying a few masks
All the best Jacko

TXKajun · Post by **TXKajun** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 8:50 am

I'm another full-face-mask-from-the-beginning user....almost 2 years now. I've tried a nasal mask, but always go back to the full face mask. It just works better for me.

Kajun

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:21 am

I started out with a full face mask too. (ComfortFull 2) I've been using it lately all the time due to an upper respiratory thing making it impossible to breathe through my nose. The only thing that I don't like about a full face mask is that I am unable to wear my glasses. (Although the Hybrid worked fine for that, I had a lot of leaks -- but I only gave it a couple of nights. I should have tried longer.) For nasal interfaces when I'm not plugged up, I like the ComfortCurve and the Swift. My DME always starts people out with the full face mask. I had to practically beg to get the Swift.

Kimberly

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:55 am

so a full face mask seems easier than taping my chapped lips every night.

For me the FF masks are no easier to use than the nasal pillows with tape.
If you try the paper tape (Micropore), don't forget to coat your lips with ChapStik or something.

Hybrid FF mask:
+ More comfortable breathing.
+ More dreams (Rem Sleep?)
+ Feel great in the AM.
+ Sleep not affected much by congestion.
- I am awakened 2 -3 time per night to make adjustments.
- Dry mouth when congested.

CL2 Nasal Pillow & mouth tape:
+ No dry mouth
+ I can run the HH at a higher setting.
+ I can sleep through the night, unless congestion attacks.
- Must fight of the "Blowfish" in the early part of the night.
- Requires more inhalation effort.

Which one will I use tonight? The Hybrid, it just makes me feel better.

lvwildcat · Post by **lvwildcat** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:03 am

I started with a full mask-I used the F/P 431 for 8 months. I liked that it sat under my chin. I'm on a pressure of 15 and my leak rate wasn't very high. If you choose the 431 a thing to be aware of(which I didn't know at start) The mask is packaged with a small;medium and large cushion. THESE ARE ALL INCLUDED. I wish I would have known that-my MD had ordered a medium(used during titration) my DME thought looked too big and gave me the small and I developed a pressure ulcer on my cheek within 2 days. I was never told that I should have gotten all 3 sizes. I'm sure the DME has all of these extra pieces around but for what? I sure hope that they're not selling them to other uninformed customers. Or maybe they're using them for themselves(my tech has a husband who uses CPAP) Bottom line-just know what you/insurance has paid for and you're entitled to receive.

Mask

Additional Comments: Machine:Resmed S7 Elite; Oracle Mask(YES! My DREAM mask!!)

Yet another Newbie! Full Face Mask?

Yet another Newbie! Full Face Mask?

Full face mask to start off?