Vadar or others whose use UMFF

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 9:48 am

I need some advice on the UMFF mask. I have just received my new (traded) mask and need some tips. I have an mirage activa nasal (Just love it!) but needed one for those stuffy nose nights.

In your opinion, what are the most important adjustment points. I know from experience with my activa that the mask should "float" on your face and not be too tight.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated - my main issue is air leaking into my eyes right now.

TIA,
Sleepyred

track · Post by **track** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:29 am

The forehead adjustment controls leaking below the eyes. The lower straps control leaking more below the mouth. Unless your pressure is low I can't imagine the UMFF staying sealed while "floating" with little pressure from the straps.

jum001 · Post by **jum001** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:36 am

I use the UMFF as my mask of preference. You are right. It cannot be too tight. Just adjust the straps and forehead control to maintain contact between the mask and your face. When you turn on the machine, you will feel the pressure do the rest of the sealing. For myself, I have to keep the lower straps the tightest as my face tends to narrow toward the bottom(except for the extra chins):)

ColoZZZ · Post by **ColoZZZ** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:41 am

I keep my UMFF pretty tight and have it all the way down on my upper nose. It seems like the adjustment above the bridge of my nose just won't go quite far enough and the first place it leaks is into my eyes.

I've been wondering if my face's morpoholgy is just outside the common range and whether there's a way to get a customized mask for this problem.

--Andy

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:35 pm

I see there's a number of variations in the way they're worn.

My method:

Top straps very loose.

Most/all of the tension on the lower straps.

Forehead piece in the full, upright position. (keeps the upper seal closer to the nose.....less leaks in area around eyes)

Bottom of seal pushed up close to my lower lip which keeps the upper seal higher and allows the flap to seal my nose better and doesn't apply any pressure to the bridge of my nose.....which also prevents any restriction of nasal air flow.

There's a "just right" tension to this mask.....not too tight and not too loose. If you get it too tight, it leaks and if you get it too loose, it leaks.
When you find it......leave it alone.

Best wishes,

Den

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 12:43 pm

I would also think that getting the right size would be imperative. If you can't go to a DME and try it on before buying, how do you get the correct size? In other words, does the cpap.com sizing instructions work?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 1:02 pm

Linda3032 wrote:I would also think that getting the right size would be imperative. If you can't go to a DME and try it on before buying, how do you get the correct size? In other words, does the cpap.com sizing instructions work?

Thanks, Linda. I forgot to emphasize that.

The CPAP.COM sizing guide DOES work.....with a qualifier or two.
When I sized mine, I fell into the measurements (exactly halfway) between the Medium and the Large. I chose the Large and was glad I did.....gives a little vertical movement so I can push it up below my lower lip and it keeps the pressure off the bridge of my nose.

The sizing guide also recommends a "Shallow" seal for me, but I went with the "Standard" and that's been working fine. I was always confused as to the difference between the two, but I guess it has to do with the way the seal is cut out for the upper part of the nose. By the way, I don't have a large nose.

Den

Vader · Post by **Vader** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:54 pm

sleepyred wrote:I need some advice on the UMFF mask. I have just received my new (traded) mask and need some tips. I have an mirage activa nasal (Just love it!) but needed one for those stuffy nose nights.

In your opinion, what are the most important adjustment points. I know from experience with my activa that the mask should "float" on your face and not be too tight.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated - my main issue is air leaking into my eyes right now.

TIA,
Sleepyred]

I wear my UMFF with the nose bridge adjustment on the second from last notch.This pulls the mask further away from my nose.
If I push it to the last one, I get air leaks below my eyes.
You'll have to find the best position for you. Although,the further it is from your face, the more likely it will be for you to have to tighten the top straps.
To compensate for this, I have always put a double thickess of Nexcare paper tape over the bridge of my nose.
ALSO--The PAD-A-CHEEK forehead padding works great for helping make your forehead comfortable.

http://www.padacheek.com/

FWIW, I keep the bottom straps "not too tight, and not too loose".
As great of a mask the UMFF is, I don't think it (or any other mask) can "float on your face" the way that the Activa can. That is Activa's greatest attribute.

sleepyred · Post by **sleepyred** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:23 am

[quote="Vader"]

I wear my UMFF with the nose bridge adjustment on the second from last notch.This pulls the mask further away from my nose.
If I push it to the last one, I get air leaks below my eyes.
You'll have to find the best position for you. Although,the further it is from your face, the more likely it will be for you to have to tighten the top straps.
To compensate for this, I have always put a double thickess of Nexcare paper tape over the bridge of my nose.
ALSO--The PAD-A-CHEEK forehead padding works great for helping make your forehead comfortable.

http://www.padacheek.com/

FWIW, I keep the bottom straps "not too tight, and not too loose".
As great of a mask the UMFF is, I don't think it (or any other mask) can "float on your face" the way that the Activa can. That is Activa's greatest attribute.

WNJ · Post by **WNJ** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 7:44 pm

I wear my UMFF with the top strap snug, but not tight, the nose/forehead piece is in the second straightest position, bottom strap fairly tight.

I was titrated at 13 and at that pressure, leakage is a problem.

I use the Remstar Auto set at 10-14 and it helps a lot. Leakage seems to start about 12 or 13. Software tells me I spend the biggest part of the night at 10 or 11, so I usually minimize leakage problems that way.

Fit makes all the difference in the world. The DME set me up with a size medium, shallow cushion. It had to be really tight or it would leak badly.

I used the fitting guide at cpap.com and it said I needed a medium, standard cushion. Much better!

Wayne

Vadar or others whose use UMFF

Vadar or others whose use UMFF

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