What is the best mask??

[thsoldlady]

Hi
I am getting my cpap and mask this Thursday. I was wondering what is the most comforable at night? I move alot and I dont like things on my head. So the less restrictive the better.
Please, please give me your option.[/b]

[stetsongirl]

That's a 64 million dollar question! It's a very individual thing. What one person loves might be disastrous for the next guy. I've been on my CPAP 3 weeks and am awaiting the arrival of my 4th mask. I have really severe claustrophobia and therefore cannot tolerate much of anything on my face or head. Go to Fisher & Paykel Homehealth and look at the infinity. It's very new. I work for a DME and the FP rep came to our office last week. Both the respiratory therapist and myself were impressed. It's incredibly comfortable and non-invasive. The headgear consists of one very small stretchable strap around the head. I started with a Respironics Comfort Curve, but after about a week started having massive leaks. The sales rep has sent me a newly designed headgear that seems to be better than the original. My manager then put me in a Tiara AirPilot - AKA Tiara Torture Chamber!!! for a claustrophobic. Then I went on a Respironics Profile Lite. After putting it in boiling water the 3rd time to customize the fit I am finally getting a decent night's rest, but still feeling claustrophobic.

Finding the perfect mask in a process of trial and error. I'd call my insurance company and find out if they'll provide an additional mask if the first one doesn't work out. Also ask them how often you can get a new mask. The standard is 3 months for the mask, 6 for the headgear.
Hope this didn't confuse you even more. Best of luck - you're in for a real adventure!
Susie

[fstanmyre]

I've tried 4 different styles. For me nasal pillow type masks, in my case the Breeze, is by far the best. I'm a side sleeper and also move around, so I'm told. If I have nasal congestion I use the Mirage Ultra FF mask which works well but is more leak prone than the nasal pillows. You just gotta try different masks. Turn on the machine, put the mask on, lie down and wiggle around and find the mask that minimizes leaks.

[Brian000]

I LOVE the Activa. Used the Profile Lite for several years and the Activa is soooooo much better.

But, YMMV.

[Swordz]

Mask, masks, masks... Oh how you will get to know many of them. I'm waiting on my 4th, and been on CPAP for 2 wks. I have 2 the clinic gave me, which suck, and I tried the Nasal Aire II.

Right now Im waiting on the Resmed Ultra Mirage FF. What you need depends on whether you're a nose breather, or both mouse and nose. Also how many straps on your head can you handle? How much you move during the night and what sleep position you're in also matters.

Whatever your situation, tell us exactly what you need from the paragraph above, and someone will help you out. Several people on this board are AMAZING (RestedGal, and 2listless to name a few). Keep trying and keep asking questions until, and after your setup and going well.

-- Cory
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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): resmed, mirage, CPAP

[rested gal]

thsoldlady,

The first masks I'd ask try, if I were new, would be:

Breeze with nasal pillows - making sure they give you nasal pillows one size bigger than they say "fit", so that the pillows will not have to be crammed up into the nostrils to hold a seal comfortably.

Swift - make sure they give you ALL THREE SIZES that come with every Swift. They might try to give you only the size they say "fits" you, but when the DME bought the Swift in the first place, all three sizes came with it, so insist they give you everything you're paying for...all three sizes of the nasal pillows.

Activa nasal mask - covers the nose like any traditional nasal mask, but is amazingly leakproof even with the straps floppy loose. This mask is going to look big, bulky and like "too much" to you, but it is so incredibly leakproof compared to other "covers the nose" type masks, it's worth ignoring any initial impression of "Oh no! I want something smaller!!", and going straight to the Activa rather than mess around night after night with leaks, edge of mask digging into the face, tight straps, sores on bridge of nose, etc., that many people experience with the usual nasal masks most DME's give people...masks with "Comfort" (hah!) in their name or "Lite" in the name. Just my opinion - there are people who do fine with other nasal masks. The Activa is a nasal mask with a cushion like none other. If you have an average size woman's face and average or small nose, ask to try the "Shallow" size in the Activa.

If you need a full face mask in order to breathe through your mouth or to control mouth air leasks, I like the ResMed Ultra Mirage FF (full face - covers nose and mouth; despite the off-putting name "full face", it doesn't cover the entire face.)
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My disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, nor have I ever worked in the health care field. Those are just my personal opinions. A mask or machine I love/hate could be completely the opposite for others. Finding suitable equipment can be an expensive trial and error experience.

[fstanmyre]

Question, what's this business about sticking the mask in boiling water? How does this work?

[Julie]

The boiling water would be used on a 'gel' mask, like the Respironics Comfort Gel nasal mask, which has a 'bagel' of gel around the inside which supposedly can be custom fit (by you) for your face, when the mask is heated in water, and then pressed into place around your nose when it starts to cool, though many people say it doesn't necessarily seal that well, though it sounds as if it should. For what it's worth, I find the Activa to be sooo comfortable, but for whatever reason also find that I don't feel well rested in the a.m., almost as if I wasn't wearing a mask, though I'm also not aware of any leaks. I use an Ultramirage II nasal, and a Comfort Select nasal, and find that the 'pillows' masks don't work well for me as my nares may be minimally asymmetrical... All of this may just go to show you how different we all are, so it's really hard to predict what will work for one person over another on any given day !