What's best for higher pressures

[houclay]

I've been a hosehead for two weeks now, and am feeling better already. I'm on a BiPAP, with pressure of 23/19. I have tried three different nasal masks (Profile Lite, Activa, and Dreamfit) and one full face mask (a Respironics model at the sleep lab) so far. I cannot envision using a full face mask, since it made my mouth puff up like a blowfish; I'd rather go nasal and tape. Each of the nasal masks, though, has developed some leakage during the night.

I"m thinking about trying a nasal pillow system. What I'm wondering is this: generally, do nasal masks or nasal pillows work better for higher pressures? I throw in the "generally" because I understand that the question of "the right mask" differs from individual to individual''. If nasal pillow systems generally tend to leak more at higher pressures than do nasal masks, then maybe my direction should be to keep looking for the right mask. If not, then maybe it's time to broaden my quest to include nasal pillows as well.

[TonyL]

I am at 23/18cm H2O and use a Resmed Ultra Full Face medium. your DME should size you to get the right fit. I wash my face just before bed and clean my mask every morning. My wife does not hear leaks durring the night. also putting the hose above the pillow allows me to turn from my back to my sides with out pulling. I am not a mouth breather and by keeping my mouth closed I do not get the blow fish effect.

[Goofproof]

houclay wrote: I cannot envision using a full face mask, since it made my mouth puff up like a blowfish; I'd rather go nasal and tape. Each of the nasal masks, though, has developed some leakage during the night.

The FF mask does not make your mouth puff out like a blowfish. The treatment pressure that is trying to leak from your mouth is. Practice holding your tongue to the roof of your mouth, forward to your teeth. practice sucking it tight.

Even when you tape and leak you are losing some value from your treatment Jim

[Guest]

My mouth puffed out like a blowfish whether the pressure leaked from the back or from between my parted lips from the front. No full face masks for me!

[oldgearhead]

Hummm..I guess everyone is different. The only time I get the "Blowfish"
attack, is when I'm using nasal pillows with my mouth taped. I'm never
bothered with this problem when I use my full-face mask. But then, my
pressure is pretty low..