Full Face Mask

[Hart50]

Is it just me or is the "Search" function here a little wacky? Anyway, I have been on Apap for some years and I'm starting to get symptoms again. My pressure has gone up over the last couple of months and I am beginning to think I may be mouth breathing too much. Up to now I have used a nasal mask
Consequently, I was wondering what people's experiences are with the full face masks? The thought of taping my mouth is not particularily appealing.

Thanks.

[Goofproof]

You have the software, that should tell you whats changed, You have to keep enough pressure captive to hold your airway open, that means controlling leaks. Taping or FF Masks are the answer, if I didn't want to tape I'd use a FF Mask, infact for the first year a FF Mask was all I used. I started with a FF Mask because sucessful treatment was the only option I had. Jim

[blarg]

Is it just me or is the "Search" function here a little wacky?

It's very wacky. I don't use it. I instead use google. Say you wanted to search for "Full face mask recommendations". I'd do this:

Go to google.
Type "site:cpaptalk.com full face mask recommendations" without the quotes.
Enjoy.

[Hart50]

Thanks very much! The Google search is very informative.

Cheers.

[DreamStalker]

Is it just me or is the "Search" function here a little wacky? Anyway, I have been on Apap for some years and I'm starting to get symptoms again. My pressure has gone up over the last couple of months and I am beginning to think I may be mouth breathing too much. Up to now I have used a nasal mask
Consequently, I was wondering what people's experiences are with the full face masks? The thought of taping my mouth is not particularily appealing.

Thanks.

You have to click the radio buton in the lower left of search screen to:

Display as "posts".

Yep. taping would just never work for me either.

Keep in mind that there are all types of face shapes and sizes and only a limited number of masks and sizes ... large, small, round, long, chubby, thin faces , and then you throw in all of the different shapes and sizes of mouths and noses into the mix and you will realize what is a dream FF mask for one person is a torture device to another.

I think the only way to find the right FF mask is to try each one until you find the right one for your own face. Nasal pillow system on the other hand have the least number of parameters to fit ... basically size and shape of nares/nostrils ... the rest is a matter of features such as hose routing, sound level, stability, etc.

The Hybrid does seem to have more fitting options than most of the other FF masks.

Anyway ... best of luck finding yourself an FF mask and remember that how FF masks fit another person is valid only for their experience.

[sleepyjane]

if anyone has a suggestion for a full face mask that is good for females or a small face or knows of a pediatric one, please tell me.

I can only get one (my first) and the provider only has two to choose from even through doctor wrote for him to bring a lot (i don't want to change providers and I am getting an exchange on a new nasal mask I only wore less than an hour before reverting to my old nasal mask so they are exchanging).

My sister owns a medical supply company (but doesn't sell masks) and will buy me a 2nd mask but wants to try to get a discount so I can't call another local provider, try all their masks, and then buy it elsewhere so my sister can get a discount.

What might be good or do any of them have online fitting guidelines. One site I saw for nasal puffs had you measure several parts of the face and they told you if their mask was good or not..anything like this for full face.

also thanks for goggle suggestion..the search is not too good here.

I don't wsnt to waste my one chance to get a 2nd mask on the wrong one as I only get one a year from insurance and am very poor personally.

[bethlori]

I just switched to a full face mask after trying a nasal mask and then nasal pillows. I have only been on CPAP for 2 1/2 weeks. I am very comfortable with the full face. I use the Mirage Ultra and I am a woman with a relatively small face and head. It is also pretty silent unless I move and get an air leak and then it sounds like a fart (LOL)

[sleepyjane]

Ithat is good that you like it. I have used the same mak for at least 6 years and never realized I was mouth breathing and dimimishing the effct of the pressure (which was apparentrly too low anyway) ior that they made full face masks until this week after 15 years or so on bipap/cpap. It may take a while for me to get used to it, but I do hope it fits.

[Julie]

The Soyala FF comes in an extra-small size if you're interested.

[Guest]

Small face? The F&P HC431 is a great mask, and comes with three different silicone seal sizes in every box. The Small one might be ideal.

The 432 must be ordered in either S, M or L, and only comes with that one cushion in the box. Whether this is a good idea, or just a way to make extra profit, is open to interpretation.

Both masks are excellent though, by all accounts. I love my 431. Hope that helps.

[jrfoster]

Small face? The F&P HC431 is a great mask, and comes with three different silicone seal sizes in every box. The Small one might be ideal.

The 432 must be ordered in either S, M or L, and only comes with that one cushion in the box. Whether this is a good idea, or just a way to make extra profit, is open to interpretation.

Both masks are excellent though, by all accounts. I love my 431. Hope that helps.

I love the 431 also, but the problem is that for some reason it kicks up my AHI from 1.9 up to anywhere from 7 to 9! I don't sleep with my mouth open either, so I don't know why the proflile lite nasal mask works better for me (1.9) but hurts my nose. If I could get the 431 to do the same I would keep it as my primary mask. Big mask big AHI.

Jeff in TN