Need to buy another mask---top 4 recommendations?

[christinequilts]

I can't say I ever loved my Breeze but I did make it work for a little over 3 months way back when the only options in nare-direct interfacers were Nasalaire, Breeze, and Adams Curcuit. I know for some people its the cat's meow but I couldn't use it without a lot of extra help...I just don't have the right shapped head for it. I am so glad there are more options now....I think RG and I started xPAP around the same time 2 years ago- do you remember what our options were? There were no Activas, Swift, Comfort Lite, Comfort Curve, Auroa, and so many more I haven't even considered.

My first mask was an Ultra Mirage...still pull it out from time to time.
Second was Simplicity...I needed something that didn't hit the bridge of my nose and it was one of the few options at the time. Next was the Activa- it came out just after I got my equipment and I loved even though it does pulse a lot with BiPAP ST at 12.5/7. The last time I pulled it out to try I found I've totally lost the callus on the bridge of my nose and it felt like I was getting hit there with every breath cycle...good thing my Mom likes Activas so my two went to go use. Next up was the Breeze which I already mentioned...and wouldn't you know it 2 weeks after I got it the Comfortlite was introduced so soon as my 3 month waiting was up for a new mask through insuracne I had to have it. Comfortlite worked well but I didn't find it held up as well as I had hoped. I got a Snapp which I used briefly- still pull it out from time to time but I thought I had found the perfect mask when I finally tried the Swift...used that for 8 months until recently when I got a ComfortCurve, which was great after a minor modification.

The 4 masks I would recomend based on my experiences are Swift, Comfort Curve, Activa, Ultra Mirage. For now I am using the ComfortCurve primarily and Swift occasionally. If I had to go back to a regular nasal mask it would be the Ultra Mirage.

One thing I have learned over the past couple years is that you shouldn't rely on other opinions exclusively- you need to try a mask for yourself before you rule it out. I hadn't heard that much good about the ComfortCurve and almost didn't get it but I'm glad I did. The second thing I've learned is don't be afraid to make modifications to your mask & headgear- make it work for you. I tried the pantiliner trick with my ComfortCurve but I was worried about my allergy to adhesives so in the middle of the night I trimmed the silicone check pads down so they are half as thick and it works great.

The third thing I learned is to be prepared....always have a spare mask- preferably a completely different style for those bad fit nights. If you've tried all the normal, minor adjustments with no improvement just set it aside and put on mask B...it will save you a lot frustation and your headgear won't be all un-adjusted the next night. Of course the backup mask is also good for those times you have irritation and need something that hits different spots for a couple of nights. Another major part of being prepared is to have stuff handy for minor repairs...I know I'm not the only one who has plumbers teflon tape in their night stand, along with some electrical tape, rubber bands, hair scrunchies, etc. There will come a time when you have an anoying leak were two parts connect or something will break- its a lot less frustrating if you have everything within reach.

[rested gal]

Sounds like I might try the Swift this month...maybe the Activa next time I get the urge to spend money.

Excellent choices. (imho)

And excellent advice by christinequilts! My only disappointment, Christine, is that you didn't use that phrase of yours that became a favorite quote of mine..."As christinequilts said once.... "

[ozij]

My only disappointment, Christine, is that you didn't use that phrase of yours that became a favorite quote of mine..."As christinequilts said once.... '

...well she couldn't this time - Jan alread coopted it.

I can tell that masks may become a little like shoes....can't ever have too many, got to try them all.

I was thinking of Christine as I read it.

Welcom Jan!
O.

[Sleepless on LI]

"As long as you don't try to sleep on your back, the bubble ain't gonna burst."

RG,
I remember like it was yesterday. And LOL re the "Quick Breeze Comment" turning into a six-page saga. I did even remark in one of my many posts in that thread about just that. But please, with a capital P, don't ever feel any guilt over that, as you wrote. Ridiculous to say the least. You had absolutely no blame to feel guilt from. We make our own choices. And if we didn't and allowed others to talk us into things, then it would be we who would be worthy of laying the blame on.

Honestly? I will think long and hard again before I offer an opinion on this site again that is not a positive one. I truly feel some people take offense to it and I don't like to offend anyone. I'm not here to do that. I truly thought what I was saying was so (to coin a WillSucceed term) vanilla, but it turned out to be VERY Rocky Road.

Jan, I hope whatever mask you end up with you are happy with. There are so many out there, it does get confusing. And they vary so much as far as mask types, headgear, point of hose attachment, etc., and all those variables can be so important. Let us know when you do finally receive your mask and how you like it. And you should know by now that if you need help tweaking whatever you get, there are so many already established posts on certain masks to help you or just ask and the crew will be there for assistance, I'm sure.

Sorry your simple post turned into such a nightmare when all you wanted was mask advice. Hey, it happens (as we all learned).

[johnnygoodman]

Howdy All,

Part of the reason masks are so personal is because everyone has different face types. You have to match your facial type to masks that fit it. There is a guide that helps you do just that located here:

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-sizing.php

Johnny

[snork1]

"As long as you don't try to sleep on your back, the bubble ain't gonna burst."

RG,
I remember like it was yesterday. And LOL re the "Quick Breeze Comment" turning into a six-page saga.

.............Honestly? I will think long and hard again before I offer an opinion on this site again that is not a positive one.

Plllluuuuuuueeeeeezzze, don't give up giving your opinions! I REALLY like to hear the good AND the bad about ANY equipment. In fact I get pretty frustrated if all I hear is the good, because I KNOW there are tradeoffs with any of the CPAP devices, and without hearing both sides, I have no way to figure it if something has at least a shot of working for me. I know some negatives will really not apply to me.

You just have to toughen up your skin to the people getting defensive, like toughening up to a new mask. For some reason some people get wrapped around the axle if someone says something negative about their favorite equipment, as if its a body part of theirs. Just realize for each person that gets fired up, there are a bunch of us that are appreciative of hearing all sides.

Plus you need to figure that some people (including myself), just have cranky days from a bad nights sleep, which is what we are trying to work on really.

[tomjax]

The problem with trying to conduct a poll or a question such as the BEST mask is that this is such a subjective matter and the results are not very meaningful.
I could ask what is the best automobile of all the users here and it would turn into a meaningless series of opinion.
I don't know anything about any mask except a mask I was given at sleep lab and could not adapt to it- I switched to adams circuit and it was far superior to the mask.
I then read about the breeze and am a very happy user.
All I can say is that it works for me and I am very pleased. I have just ordered from cpap.com the new type breeze and will soon be able to objectively evaluate it-

The most a person should be able to accurately say about a mask is that it was or was not suitable FOR THEM.
I cannot imagine a person being happy with a gel type mask that leaks every time you move, but others may be totally happy with it.

My Mazda B3000 pickup is the best damn automobile of all the auto owners here!!

[Sleepless on LI]

Snork,

Thanks for the pep talk. I always felt that that was the real purpose here, and this whole thing kind of threw me, I must admit. Didn't see it coming. I just don't like to get anyone upset. I guess when/if I have a negative comment to leave in the future, I will make sure I phrase it very carefully so as not to upset anyone who may not have slept well the night before, as you mentioned could be the cause for crankiness, or whatever caused them to think I was being negative instead of just leaving a negative comment. But I truly appreciate your support.

And, Tomjax, as per what you wrote, "The most a person should be able to accurately say about a mask is that it was or was not suitable FOR THEM," I always, and did in this instance, include that caveat because I do know that to be a fact. What's good for one person is not always for another when it comes to anything CPAP except the fact that therapy is good for everyone who has OSA, whether they like it or not.

And I may take exception to your statement about your Mazda pickup being the best of all the automobiles of all the auto owners here!!! But enough confrontation for one week... .

[Grabraham]

[quote="Sleepless on LI"]Snork,

Thanks for the pep talk. I always felt that that was the real purpose here, and this whole thing kind of threw me, I must admit. Didn't see it coming. I just don't like to get anyone upset. I guess when/if I have a negative comment to leave in the future, I will make sure I phrase it very carefully so as not to upset anyone who may not have slept well the night before, as you mentioned could be the cause for crankiness, or whatever caused them to think I was being negative instead of just leaving a negative comment. But I truly appreciate your support.

And, Tomjax, as per what you wrote, "The most a person should be able to accurately say about a mask is that it was or was not suitable FOR THEM," I always, and did in this instance, include that caveat because I do know that to be a fact. What's good for one person is not always for another when it comes to anything CPAP except the fact that therapy is good for everyone who has OSA, whether they like it or not.

And I may take exception to your statement about your Mazda pickup being the best of all the automobiles of all the auto owners here!!! But enough confrontation for one week... .

[Sleepless on LI]

Aww Com'ere Lori

Love the icons you use on here. But I'm sorry to say, I no understando what you wrote-o! Please explaino... ?

[Grabraham]

Aww Com'ere Lori

Love the icons you use on here. But I'm sorry to say, I no understando what you wrote-o! Please explaino... ?

I was just giving you a friendly little head rub-o

[Sleepless on LI]

I was just giving you a friendly little head rub-o

LOL!!! You are too cute!

[christinequilts]

I agree with snork- if all I wanted was the good points of a mask or machine I could read the PR from the manufacture...they certainly are not going to tell us the bad points.

[ozij]

I agree with snork- if all I wanted was the good points of a mask or machine I could read the PR from the manufacture...they certainly are not going to tell us the bad points.

True.

O.

[Sleepless on LI]

Thank you all. I will continue to get down and dirty and spill all the nasty and negative points I can find. You've convinced me... (only kidding).

No, in all honesty, I'm glad to hear so many of your comments in that light. I will just ensure there are enough smilies and more subtle words next time so that I don't scare anyone off or offend anyone. I never meant to do that in the first place, but I must have .