Size does matter.....

[carbonman]

Tales from the Odyssey of the Mask

When I decided that gluing my mouth shut was just no longer
acceptable, I set a course for the ffm. Guided by the comments and
suggestions here, I decided on the Quattro, to start.
Dutifully following all the sizing guides, I was directed to a large.
Seeing as how I fancy myself to be a manly man and have a mustache,
I was certain that this was the correct size.
The large Quattro arrived with much antisipation. I had the adventure
of my claustrophic fear to over come first, but that is a
topic for another discussion. I did, infact, make it past that fear.

The only way to describe this mask.....well, it felt like I have on
full scuba gear. It went from the top bridge of my nose to below the
cleft of my chin. It was a bitch to get fitted and sealed. I had the bruised
and bleeding nose after two nights. I realized that this was not going to
work.

I went to the auction and the real odyssey began.
Next came the UltaMirage med.
It was much better. With more suggestions here, I was able to get
it fitted much better. Leaks were much easier to adjust out.
The bridge of my nose started to heal and toughen up.
I got a Padacheek forehead pad.......HUGH improvement.

Then, being enamoured w/the Quattro masks, I got a Q/med.
Much better than the large, but still difficult to get sealed.
UM/med on left Q/med


In my determination to explore all options for my cpap comfort and the
absolute best therapy I can get, Quattro small.
The fit is much better. Lower on the bridge of my nose and tucked up
snug just below my lower lip. Easier to get sealed but, still fickel....
......so, UM/small. WOW, it took the normal time to get it installed to
the full headgear Papcap, but that was it. I put it on and it is ready to go.
No fussing, no leaks, just a flat leak line at the intentional leak rate.
UM/small on left Q/small


So, here is what the Odyssey of the Mask really looks like.


Each mask is slightly different in the sizes and the curvature.
I can not figure out why the Q's are so difficult to adjust and maintain that
adjustment.....but the UM, both sizes, is very steady. Once they are
adjusted to the headgear, they are sealed and consistant through the night.

So, at this point in my journey, the UM/small is proving to be the best.


'nough said.

[fuzzy96]

great post !and i love the picts. mask sizing is unexplainable to say the least . i started with a comfortfull 2 medium but i had a lot of leaks. after some research i got an f&p 431 almost identical to the 432in that it fits under chin with one BIG difference . the 431 is a standard mask that comes with small, medium, and large inserts so that about anyone can get a fit. my understanding is the 432 must be ordered to size only having one insert(being the size you order).and the 431 is an older version so availability is questoinable( go figure) the cocept of one size w/ diff inserts is great but i guess they sell more the other way.

[birdshell]

Who DOES understand the engineering and fit of masks? To quote the King of Siam from The King and I--"Tis a puzzlement."

I have a friend whose mask is deteriorating and cannot buy a cushion for it; the design does not provide for a replacement. This is hardship as his masks (and machines) are purchased out of pocket. His wife and son are similarly situated with medical care and one income. I *believe* it is a Profile Lite, but I don't know these face masks very well. The online pictures are a bit different from his, but he identified that one as being the closest. (He has, as I said, worn the present one to near oblivion!)

For my own purposes, the nasal or full face masks that do not include nasal pillows have not seemed to fit me; I hate the creeping of the mask into the inner corners of my eyes. Talk about claustrophobic! I am just a little that way, and could probably manage to talk myself into using such a mask--IF I had to do so.

Those who have gone before me and suffered the less-than-comfortable equipment have improved things for my (and all SDB cpap users) cpapping. You all cannot be thanked enough.



Karen

[fuzzy96]

one thing i forgot to mention is why i like the under chin of the f&P 431. AS KAREN NOTED THE "CREAPING OF THE MASK INTO THE EYES". with my comfort full the mask was constantly moving. my big mouth just doesn't know enough to stay shut! that caused the leakage. by being under the chin my 431 can't roll into my eyes and seems to seal well even when rolling around in bed and even talking in my sleep. as with any mask it is up to what works for you!

[feeling_better]

carbonman, Thank you for this useful post!

[Nodzy]

carbonman,
Thanks for a great assessment. I'm convinced that trying the Ultra Mirage is worth it, and bought one on the auction site for a great price.

Nodzy

[sleeplessinflorida]

right now I have at my house: the Mirage Quattro, Mirage Liberty, the 432 flexifit, the Responics full confort gel and the RESMED Swift LT (pillows)
It seems like either they feel suffocating or don't fit right or have leakds. The full confort gel worked great at the sleep lab but when I got home it was horrible that night. I wonder if I need the hose coming from behind like at the lab.

By the way, I will edit my profile with equip. Just trying to figure out all the equipment first. I have an appt tomorrow. with the person that leases it.
Thanks all- I hope and pray I figure it out! I am pretty determined.

[Muse-Inc]

...I hope and pray I figure it out! I am pretty determined...

1 step at a time will get ya there. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other and asking questions...I heartily agree these folks are great!

CARBONMAN

[elader]

Who DOES understand the engineering and fit of masks? To quote the King of Siam from The King and I--"Tis a puzzlement."

I hate the creeping of the mask into the inner corners of my eyes. Talk about claustrophobic!
Karen

amen to that - its the thing I hate the most about my mask.

[spitintheocean]

..... dutifully following all the sizing guides, I was directed to a large.
Seeing as how I fancy myself to be a manly man and have a mustache,
I was certain that this was the correct size.

carbonman, if it's any comfort, I too presumed that I would need a large mask and when the dust settled found a small Quattro was the perfect fit. But then again, I have small hands and feet as well ......... but I do drive a big car to compensate.

[mdintx]

right now I have at my house: the Mirage Quattro, Mirage Liberty, the 432 flexifit, the Responics full confort gel and the RESMED Swift LT (pillows)
It seems like either they feel suffocating or don't fit right or have leakds. The full confort gel worked great at the sleep lab but when I got home it was horrible that night. I wonder if I need the hose coming from behind like at the lab.

By the way, I will edit my profile with equip. Just trying to figure out all the equipment first. I have an appt tomorrow. with the person that leases it.
Thanks all- I hope and pray I figure it out! I am pretty determined.

I've gone through quite a few masks myself. Currently, I have:

ComfortGel nasal - L, M, and S (these work well but make the bridge of my nose red)
Swift LT (works the best but not durable, 6 weeks on a set of pillows)
Mirage Liberty (leak city)
Mirage Quattro (lent to me - leak city or red nose due to have it too tight)
Respcare Hybrid (probably going back to cpap.com as it's uncomfortable)

I've also tried the Mirage Micro (hurt the sides of my bridge) and the Activa LT (made my upper lip numb with its suction)

I have an UMFF on the way. Looking at the pics of the bridge area, I think this might actually work for me. MaskQuest 2009 must go on!

[GaryG]

As a relative newbie (Started 7/22), I am thru 5 masks on my quest for the one that will work the best.

Quattro (mark on nose bridge), Comfort Gel (more comfortable, good seal some nights, but mark on nose bridge even with pad a cheek ), Activa LT (very comfortable, but with leaks, and I'm a mouth breather), Swift LT with nasal pillows (couldn't get good fit), Liberty Hybrid (can't get a good seal, but mask is comfortable - will keep working with sleep ctr to get good fit).

Now I'm back to Comfort Gel with damn marks on my nose bridge. But I'm not giving up. Somewhere out there there'll be a mask I can call my own.

Another possibility is I found out I have a deviated septum, so I may get that taken care of - I was hoping CPAP therapy would work well for me, so I wouldn't need any surgical procedure...

[DoriC]

I have an UMFF on the way. Looking at the pics of the bridge area, I think this might actually work for me. MaskQuest 2009 must go on!

mdintx, I'm always interested in reports from fellow UMFF users, my husband tried many before we found the best fit with the UM. Please update.

[always_tired]

I have an UMFF on the way. Looking at the pics of the bridge area, I think this might actually work for me. MaskQuest 2009 must go on!

mdintx, I'm always interested in reports from fellow UMFF users, my husband tried many before we found the best fit with the UM. Please update.

DoriC

What size UMFF does your husband use?

[mdintx]

I have an UMFF on the way. Looking at the pics of the bridge area, I think this might actually work for me. MaskQuest 2009 must go on!

mdintx, I'm always interested in reports from fellow UMFF users, my husband tried many before we found the best fit with the UM. Please update.

You know, it works great regardless of what my leak #'s are. My AHI almost never crosses 4. I even had one morning when I would with a leak of .64 L/s and still felt okay. It reddens the bridge of my nose and most of the time, the redness is gone by the time I get to work. I have a small but I think it might be a little too small. I really can't open my mouth as the cushion clips the corners of my lips. For me, it's a glorified nasal mask LOL. I may try to pick up a medium and see how it goes and I'm working on how I can wear it with minimum redness. I tried a bandaid last night and good grief, I have a red mark that's getting worse as the day goes on. Obviously that didn't work! I tried it with RemZzzs (that's the night with the .64 L/s) but still had redness though I liked that I didn't wake up with swaety cheeks. We'll see. I'm gonna stick with it but may add the FitLife to the rotation. GaryG's experiences with that mask have been intriguing.