Full Face Masks vs the Alternatives

[spitintheocean]

In another thread I raised the question as to why anyone would choose an alternative mask type over a full face mask. In response I was accused of being shallow for even asking. Rather than send another's thread completely off track, I thought that this was a topic that could stand on its own.

I won't apologize for asking a perfectly good question about a subject that presumably many new users would appreciate ......... why wouldn't everyone use a full face mask since it resolves chronic mouth breathing issues as well as those inevitably wrought by colds, allergies, etc. It seems to me that being tethered to the hose negates any perceived freedom associated with the smaller sized alternatives particularly if one needed a chinstrap or duct tape to overcome leaky mouth syndrome.

Surely with the variety of FFM configurations out there, unless you're Jay Leno, it's just a question of finding one that fits. There's no shame in wearing a "small". Perhaps some of you like to smoke in bed or talk in your sleep?

Seriously, I can understand the initial reluctance to cover your mouth but rationalizing that somehow an FFM weighs significantly more than a nasal mask or is more prone to leaks seems a bit of a stretch when one factors that honking big hose tied anchored to either solution.

Is it the cost? Surely it can't be the look since my wife has fallen for the whole "Top Gun" fighter pilot look.

So what's the deal? Why aren't you wearing a full face mask? Enquiring minds want to know.

Paul

[SharkBait]

Comfort. The Swift LT is so much more comfortable to me than any other mask. Every time I try to sleep with a full face mask I get up in the middle of the night and swap back to the nasal pillow mask.

Have you ever tried the Swift LT?

[N6CRV]

Hello Paul, I have to use a full face mask but would love not to. The reasons are being able to talk, drink and no pain. I have a long and thin face and it is very hard to find anyone that does not leak or puts a nice sore on my nose. I have been trying the hybrid and it is doing better but it sill leaks some around the mask part. I think they make masks for the "normal" shape face but what if you are not in that group? My DME has gotten to where they are not really happy to try other masks. I ended up buying the Hybrid myself as that was my only choice.
Don

[RipVW]

I believe it's just a matter of personal preference and personal comfort. Some folks just don't like the "feel" of a FFM, I've even heard that a FFM mask makes some feel claustrophobic. And, some get a better seal and better therapy with a nasal mask or nasal cushion than with a FFM. I’m a FFM user myself, after trying a number of nasal masks, nasal cushions and hybrids. Ultimately, I found that the FFM just works better for me and is more comfortable. Like most comfort considerations, choice of mask type is really a matter of personal preference, I suppose.

[plr66]

So what's the deal? Why aren't you wearing a full face mask? Enquiring minds want to know.
Paul

Swift LT for me. Reasons: ZERO LEAKS; light, minimalist face gear, more comfortable for me by far--even with mouth tape! I have to fiddle forever with FF masks to get the cushion right...and then fiddle through the night when the inevitable leaks pop through. I also have indelible pressure marks on my face for many hours in the morning, despite having the mask as loose as possible without floating above my face!...Not how I prefer to go to work, when a tiny nasal pillow mask works 100% better for me, and has no marking left on my face with Pad a Cheeks.

And by the way, Paul, I think it's important to point out boldly that duct tape is NOT RECOMMENDED!! What many of us use include painters tape for delicate surfaces, and medical tape which is meant for skin. Let's not lead newbies to think that any of us use something as potentially harmful as I think duct tape might be.

[Bearcat42]

Comfort. The Swift LT is so much more comfortable to me than any other mask. Every time I try to sleep with a full face mask I get up in the middle of the night and swap back to the nasal pillow mask.

Have you ever tried the Swift LT?

I see where alot of people use the Swift LT. Is it because it is less restrictive or less intrusive than a FFM? I have only used a FFM during my titration so I dont have much to go by. I would like oppions on a Swift and what makes it preferable for many people over a FFM. I really dont know anything about pillows and how they work.

[john_dozer]

I had a nasal mask at first.

I would say they seal easier. The more face you try to seal, the more unique facial feature combination there are and the more chance you can't get a good seal.

Now keeping my mouth sealed was a problem. I have a slight thing about being suffocated. The gear is bad enough. There's no way I was taping my mouth.

[elader]

I would love to use a swift. I bought one. It felt great. I couldn't breathe with it. mostly my issue seemed to be breathing OUT against the pressure. I also tried two nasal masks - better, but some pain and also still had an issue with my chronic stuffy nose. The solution for me was a FF mask - nose breathing when i can, mouth as a fall back.

FF for everyone? Obviously not. When I started with it, I felt like I had 'lost' the battle . That was silly. Use whatever works.

[Hawthorne]

I have yet to find a full face mask that fits me well, is comfortable for me and that doesn't leak a lot. I have a Hybrid and F & P 431 but always have leak difficulties with them. The F & P 431 leaves horrible marks on my nose bridge (have tried Padacheek and still get that horrible mark which would turn into an open sore if I kept wearing it) I only got them to have if I am too congested to wear anything else. So far that has not happened. I have worn them a few times to try to get used to them, should I need them.

Why would I wear a full face mask when I can wear nasal pillows or prongs that feel very comfortable and like no mask at all and, with a little bit of medical tape, get AHI consistently below 1 with an excellent leak line?

If a person is comfortable and can control leaks with a full face mask, then, by all means wear a full face mask. That's just not me.

What works for one does not work for all!

[elader]

Why would I wear a full face mask when I can wear nasal pillows or prongs that feel very comfortable and like no mask at all and, with a little bit of medical tape, get AHI consistently below 1 with an excellent leak line? What works for one does not work for all!

i think that's the point. If you can use the prongs, why the heck would you want to use a FF Mask???

[sleepycarol]

When I did my titration study they asked if I mouth breathed. i replied yeah due to allergies. I was given a full face mask period nothing else was tried and so when I picked up my script it was written for a F&P 431. I didn't even know there were other types of mask available.

When I found this forum I was amazed by the number that didn't use ffm and wondered much the same. Why not just a ffm and not have to contend with mouth leaks. It took some time, much reading, and finally I got the nerve to try a nasal prong mask -- the SNAPP X. It was so much more comfortable -- but it was not the right size and I didn't even make it through the night. I ended up going on the journey of finding the right mask for me. I must have purchased a dozen masks or so finding it. I purchased slightly used masks off forum members or cpapauction.com.

I settled on the Headrest first. I do like the NA but find the headrest has fewer leaks for me.

To each his own -- much like everything in life.

[hose head]

I used the Quattro and F-P 431. Both leaked. The Quattro blew air into my eyes and the 431 farted through the night. I got the Liberty and wore it for about 4 months. My jaw would drop and I would start leaking. They said I was a mouth breather at my study so they never offered me a choice of anything but fullface. I kept pushing for a nasal mask and got a F-P 407 and a chin-strap. I didn't like how tight I had to make it before it would stop leaking. One morning, after being awake for about four hours, one of my co-workers said something about the marks on my face. I looked at her and said, that yes they were from the mask I wore at night because I stopped breathing in my sleep and the mask kept me breathing. She never said another word. About a week after that I went to a Swift LT. I could wear it so loose it was like not wearing a mask. After a couple of months, my leak numbers went up and I got an Activa. I am going to start playing with Swift again and see if I can get it to not leak. The liberty I have kept incase I get a dreaded head cold. But I don't want to hassle with the full face masks. And through this all, I found out that I don't mouth breathe. I keep my mouth sealed just fine, without tape or chinstrap.

[Gerryk]

What ever works. I use a FF because I had problems breathing through my nose because of allergies. My nose is opened up some (thanks to nasal flushing) and I am trying a Liberty hybrid to work towards something smaller. I am going to have surgery to fix my nose and remove the boulder sized tonsils and hopefully I will then be able to switch to a complete nasal system as it is much smaller and less intrusive.

But again. What ever works use it.

[TSSleepy]

I would love to use a swift. I bought one. It felt great. I couldn't breathe with it. mostly my issue seemed to be breathing OUT against the pressure.

Ditto.

[Bearcat42]

When y'all talk about using tape to fix leaks just what is meant by that? Where is it applied?