Lets get data about those first masks....

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 8:22 am

I'm curious....
O.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:45 pm

bump.

MartiniLover · Post by **MartiniLover** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 5:01 pm

Nasal Aire II was my first, and now five masks later is still my favorite.

Do I think it is my last

I will keep trying. The only mask I have been unhappy with is the Breeze. Figure that one out

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:44 am

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 9:31 pm

My first mask was a that is how much I like the so called best mask, the Mirage Full Face Mask.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:25 pm

These two polls have been very interesting, ozij. As Wader said in the your other poll, Respironics masks do seem to be the brand most people are given first - probably a reflection of how well Respironics reps get to the DMEs by the droves.

Most interesting is the overwhelming use of "another brand" by so many later - in your other poll question.

Wonder how many cpap dropouts there have been over the years that might have been avoided...had they not been given a Profile Lite or "Comfort Gel" as their first mask.

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:39 pm

Severeena wrote:My first mask was a that is how much I like the so called best mask, the Mirage Full Face Mask.

I was told it was the "cadillac of all masks" uh huh...right Leaked like a sieve LOL

My first mask 8 years ago was the Bubble Mask..and I THINK it was Sullivan, but not sure. That one also leaked, I hated it

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:44 pm

Barb no leaks with my HR and I love my HR FF mask.

Barb (Seattle) · Post by **Barb (Seattle)** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 11:55 pm

Severeena wrote:Barb no leaks with my HR and I love my HR FF mask.

HR? Whassat? I have a ComfortFull

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 5:04 am

Hi Rested Gal,
I wish there more answers to these polls, since about between 25 and 30 votes out of about 2100 registered users is not really something one can generalize from....

One can say that, of the people who read the poll and answered, about half were offered respironics masks to start with. We know nothing of those who read an didn't answer.. maybe those prone to answer were those angry at Respironics? I would have felt much better if there were 300 votes...

Of the people who read the "which is your presents mask" poll and answered, a small percentage uses Respironics.... again, the number is so small, and the fact that we don't know how many poeple voted on both polls make generalizing problematic.

Oh well...

I'll try bumping the polls a bit more during the coming week.

O.

IF (and it is a considerable if) half the people on the second poll started out with respironics, then, only a 1/4 of them are still sticking with it. (12% of the total are about 25% of the half).
Once again, about 30 votes form 2150 registered users makes this a very problematic statement.

I think the simplsest conclusion is the following: of the people who answered, about half started out with Respironics (that's what they were give) and 75% do not use Respironics masks at present.

Now, I'm sure the traders among us will tell us that some companies rely on returning customers, and others on one time sales.

I don't know if cpap.com have been keeping records of purchases, and if they have statistics of returnign customers' preferences - and I'm pretty sure they won't tell us - but their statistics could be fascinating...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 8:49 am

First mask was Activa. Did not give DME a chance to recommend as made choice based on this forum. DME said this was an excellent mask and I have been very happy with it.

Am shopping for a second mask, also based on this forum but so far no decision. Was leaning to the Breeze.

Bob F

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:03 am

First mask was Activa. Did not give DME a chance to recommend as made choice based on this forum.

Bob F's comment is interesting. A good many readers of this, and other, message boards are here to find out more about equipment before the DME gets hold of them. Quite a few who answered "other brand" for first mask may have bypassed the usual Respironics' "first mask" by informing the DME what they wanted -- as Bob wisely did.

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 12:33 pm

My first mask was the Fisher & Paykel HC 405 nasal mask. It leaked like a seive and I had to strap it down extremely tight to stop the leaks. It does not have any adjustable places on it except tightening the head gear although it is extremely quiet. That's the only good thing I can say for it though. I found out later that my doctor had prescribed a Respironics Comfort Gel Mask but the DME gave me the Fisher & Paykel and didn't tell me anything about what the doctor had prescribed. He must have been able to make more money off the Fisher & Paykel mask. Anyway, I switched to Breeze Nasal Pillows 5 night after I got the Fisher & Paykel and still love the Breeze. The Ultra Mirage Full Face is my back up. I just can't get it to stop leaking around the right corner of my mouth. It doesn't leak around the left corner of my mouth. Isn't that weird. I must have a lop-sided face!!!

Im2tired · Post by **Im2tired** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:53 pm

My first mask was Respironics Comfort gel which seemed OK (relatively speaking as I was getting used to the whole CPAP thing) but started leaking and always left marks on my face. The second was RESMed Mirage which left red marks (vs indentations) on my forehead and around my nose and then also leaked. When they brought out my AutoPap, the RT switched me to the Swift which seems to be working pretty well. Nose is a little sore so I got some Ayr to try tonight. He was a CPAPer himself and uses the Swift.

Anyway what I think is that there should be a CPAP "set up package" for new users with a couple of different kinds of masks. When I got my insulin pump they gave me a couple of different infusion sets to try. I know that is more disposable equipment and the masks are meant to last longer but it seems that getting the right mask is critical to CPAP therapy. CPAP companies could offer discounted 1st masks to try to make this a little more affordable for insurance companies and patients. If they have a good mask they should want to get patients "hooked" on it. When you start out you don't know what's best for you and I think the only way is to try for yourself. I know I have been able to switch to other masks without a charge but I could have condensed the trial and error period to probably a couple of weeks rather than 2 months and several relapses.

Just my 2c.

quest496 · Post by **quest496** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 10:13 pm

I too go against the flow about the Breeze. Got it last week because all you side sleepers out there recommended it , and I wore it three nights, trying to make it work and I went back to my Swift, though less comfortable in some ways.

Glad I spent the money on it though, because it helped me really FEEL the differences you who have more experience were talking about.

The Breeze felt great when I was sitting upright, but it's own weight pulled it too much to one side when I lay on my side. I tried the straps in a bunch of different ways and in order to get them tight enough so the mask didn't slip sideways, it pushed the mask against the bone inbetween my nostrils so much that it hurt.

What I want are nasal pillows that are actually not quite as soft as the four different ones I've tried. So the weight is evenly disbursed all around my nostrils and it pushed the actual plastic of the mask away from my face, if that makes sense.

Anyway, I agree with what RG (I think it was you) said, Respironics probably has the best reps. Though it helps that generally their equipment is good as well, if not all things for all people.

quest

Lets get data about those first masks....

Which was your first mask?

Lets get data about those first masks....