New Probasics Zzz Mask Thread

[Kiralynx]

Hello, when I first got the Zzz it worked great as I also have a thin and long face. I got the Med and it would seal fine. But after about a month the Silicone that does the sealing got hard and even started showing some tears at the nose bridge part. They need to sell replacement parts not just the complete mask.
Don

Good thing I'm only planning on using this for about a week. Wonder how long the silicone lasts when the mask is stored?

[builta]

Hello, when I first got the Zzz it worked great as I also have a thin and long face. I got the Med and it would seal fine. But after about a month the Silicone that does the sealing got hard and even started showing some tears at the nose bridge part. They need to sell replacement parts not just the complete mask.
Don

Good thing I'm only planning on using this for about a week. Wonder how long the silicone lasts when the mask is stored?

Hi,

Let me know it the swivel comes loose from the mask on you. It woke me right up when mine did. Over all the Zzz fit me pretty well with no red marks but the sudden failure of the hose to mask connection at the swivel--no good at all!

[N6CRV]

Hello Builta, the swivel on mine was fine it was just the Silicone going bad. I tried to buy just the mask part without the head gear or the swivel and was told no way. I would have to buy it all.
Don

[builta]

Hello Builta, the swivel on mine was fine it was just the Silicone going bad. I tried to buy just the mask part without the head gear or the swivel and was told no way. I would have to buy it all.
Don

Yup, that is how I understand it also. It is an all or nothing thing with ProBasics Zzz FFM.

[Catnap]

As for me, my Zzz mask went back to cpap.com in today's UPS pickup. Back to alternating between the Ultra Mirage and Quattro while I pick the next one to try out. Both of those also give me leaks, just a more tolerable number of them.

[builta]

As for me, my Zzz mask went back to cpap.com in today's UPS pickup. Back to alternating between the Ultra Mirage and Quattro while I pick the next one to try out. Both of those also give me leaks, just a more tolerable number of them.

Hi,

Have you tried a Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit HC431 or 432?

[Kiralynx]

Let me know it the swivel comes loose from the mask on you. It woke me right up when mine did. Over all the Zzz fit me pretty well with no red marks but the sudden failure of the hose to mask connection at the swivel--no good at all!

I had a red mark across my nose, and marks on my cheeks from the straps. It's patently obvious that the designer of the headgear was designing for male users, and the medium head gear was significantly too large for me.

It made rude, flatulent noises when I first put it on. Even strapping it down tightly enough to be uncomfortable did not solve that. Loosening the straps slightly worsened the problem.

However, cross-strapping it did help: I ran the lower straps to the upper attachment points. I put the clips on the upper straps and crossed them over the other straps to the lower attachment points. By changing the angle of the pull, I could wear the straps looser.

This made for a bulky and uncomfortable collection of strapping on the sides of my face, but solved the majority of the flatulent leaks.

I had to put a hand over the mask to keep it from being blown off whenever I coughed. I do not like mouth-breathing. However, I cranked the humidifier up to the highest setting, and the moist air appears to have helped my congestion somewhat.

If full face masks were all that is available, I'm afraid I would have been a CPAP drop out in the first week. I kept reaching up to claw the thing off, and managed, each time, to wake myself and STOP, reminding myself of how horrible I felt the two nights without the machine.

I managed a leak rate of 36.7 at EPAP 6, MinIpap 10 and MaxIpap 14, although my respiration rate was up a bit.

I could not use this mask for an every day mask... but it's good for the occasional respiratory infection situation.

[Kiralynx]

Addendum to the use of the Probasics Zzz Full Face Mask for a respiratory infection....

I still can't wait to get enough better to return to my Comfortlite 2 or my Headrest.

However, I've solved the miserable, knotted, too huge head gear problem. The head gear supplied with the mask may work fine for larger individuals. I had the velcro tabs wrapped around each other and criss-crossed in order not to have the mask fall off my face.

This morning, upon awakening with sweat dripping off my face where the mask touched my skin, and hot red marks on my cheek bones from the knotted straps, I knew there had to be something better.

I removed the supplied head gear. And replaced it with my Comfortlite 2 head gear strap. Split strap, attached to upper and lower attachment points. Short enough to adjust quickly and easily. Angle of pressure eliminated the flatulent leaks almost completely.

I think I'm going to cut a t-shirt material or wicking material liner, using the mask fitting pattern on CPAP.COM as a guide to see if that will deal with the sweat.

Then I may have a mask which is tolerable for use during respiratory infections.

In fairness to this mask, it's soft, lightweight, and probably would work well for someone who was more tolerant of having their nose and mouth covered. But it will never be my first choice of a mask.

[Catnap]

As for me, my Zzz mask went back to cpap.com in today's UPS pickup. Back to alternating between the Ultra Mirage and Quattro while I pick the next one to try out. Both of those also give me leaks, just a more tolerable number of them.

Hi,

Have you tried a Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit HC431 or 432?

Not yet, but based on what I've been reading here, I think that's going to be the next trial run.

[HelpMeBreath]

Argh.. This thread is really bumming me out. So far this is the only mask that my skin has been able to tolerate and that I haven't had to strap down until my head went numb. I guess I better buy another one right now as backup for when this one goes.

I did have that arm popping through once, took me a second to figure out what happened. I have also had to strap the top straps to the bottom part of the head gear. That headgear is the worst, i found the straps going over my ears, pain.

The leaks seem to be coming from the plastic where the hose connects.

[Kiralynx]

Argh.. This thread is really bumming me out. So far this is the only mask that my skin has been able to tolerate and that I haven't had to strap down until my head went numb. I guess I better buy another one right now as backup for when this one goes.

I did have that arm popping through once, took me a second to figure out what happened. I have also had to strap the top straps to the bottom part of the head gear. That headgear is the worst, i found the straps going over my ears, pain.

The leaks seem to be coming from the plastic where the hose connects.

Just because the Zzz mask didn't work for several of us in this thread does not mean it isn't a good mask for you.

If you can lay your hands on a Comfortlite strap

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Comfor ... Strap.html

I found it was much more comfortable, eliminated the flatulent leaks, and didn't try to tear my ears off.

In addition, I have a real problem with sweating where plastic touches my face. I just went and cut a piece of t-shirt material about a half inch larger than the mask outline which I used to size the mask. Then I cut a cross in it, not extending to the area of dark shading. I just went back and placed this over my nose, brought the mask up, holding the fabric in place around the edges, and slipped my CL2 strap over my head. I used the extra space to adjust the fabric under the mask a little, and turned my machine on.

The last two nights, I have been sweating within five minutes of putting the mask on. This time, after fifteen minutes, I was not. It remains to give it a full night's test.

You might notice that although I don't do well with a full face mask, and wouldn't choose one for every day, this Zzz-mask has, ironically, been my savior during the my first on-Bipap respiratory infection.

So, with a bit of CPAPTalk Lab Ratting, it works for me....

[SaltLakeJan]

Hi Catnap.

Your experience with the Zzz was not good for you, but it was for me. and Builta's & the other posters. I immediately crossed it off my list. I haven't checked if the Hans Rudolph is a ff, but as long as it isn't a pillows mask - it is a consideration for me. My nasal Mirage Micro, has the forehead support - but so far, it has been a good side sleeper.

And Kira - How do you think of the solutions you create? They are somethin' else.

Jan

[Catnap]

Thanks, Jan. I love that about this list. The learning curve on how to cope with all this is so much less steep with the benefit of everyone else's experience! I've been curious about the Hans Rudolph line, too. Be sure to post us a thread if you try it.

[Kiralynx]

And Kira - How do you think of the solutions you create? They are somethin' else.

Uhm... well... I have two options: I can think of something that works. Or I can let the situation drive me crazy.

Wait a minute. Some people would say it's a short putt, not a drive; others would say I got there a long time ago.

Maybe I should rethink the phrasing on this....

Anyway... not finding a way to make it work isn't an option....

[Kiralynx]

Okay, in the continuing test of the Zzz-mask under emergency conditions....

If you can lay your hands on a Comfortlite strap

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Comfor ... Strap.html

I found it was much more comfortable, eliminated the flatulent leaks, and didn't try to tear my ears off. I did have a slight strap mark on the left side, but nothing like what I had with the headgear supplied with the Zzz-mask. If I were going to be using this on a regular basis, I'd probably get or make a Pad-a-cheek system for it, and that would solve the strap-mark issue entirely.

As noted above, I have a real problem with sweating where plastic touches my face.

Yesterday, I cut a piece of t-shirt material about a half inch larger than the mask outline which I used to size the mask. Then I cut a cross in it, not extending to the area of dark shading on the template.

I tested this in the afternoon by placing this over my nose, bringing the mask up, holding the fabric in place around the edges, and slipped my CL2 strap over my head. I used the extra space to adjust the fabric under the mask a little, and turned my machine on.

The previous two nights, I have been sweating within five minutes of putting the mask on. After fifteen minutes, I was not.

Last night, I gave it a full night's test.

I woke this morning after close to eight hours of sleep (punctuated by occasional bouts of racking coughs) with no sweat greasing my face and dribbling down onto the pillow.

In short, the simple piece of t-shirt material solved the sweat issues, and the CL2 strap solved the headgear problem.


You might notice that although I don't do well with a full face mask, and wouldn't choose one for every day, this Zzz-mask has, ironically, been my savior during the my first on-Bipap respiratory infection.