Mouth breathing

[pdean44]

I have an appointment on 5-03-10 with my sleep doc. This is a follow up where i take my machine and mask in. I have been using the activa lt. It is a comfortable mask but I have nto been able to get past mouth breathing. I use the chin straps several kinds. I used the polident strips. I have some good nights but just as many bad nights. My ife tells me she hears me snoring on occasion. I have not had the cash to get the reader yet so I dont have the data to see how badly that is going. Hopefully I will find out monday. My ahi and ai readings have been high. I would think that supports the fact that I am not getting good therapy over all. I am not sure what kind of full face masks they have to offer. I believe they have the ultras on hand. I was leaning towards a quattro if i have a choice in the matter at the time. Was wondering what kind of luck folks have had with the Ultra's and Quattros and any tricks of the trade for them i may want to keep in mind for this meeting monday?

Thanks

[Julie]

The only thing you can do is give them a good try - hopefully once the right size is determined and the masks are well fitted without overtightening (a common mistake we and DME techs make!), preferably lying down for a short time. Don't let them rush you! What works for me (UM FF) won't work for others, and what they like (Quattro, Hybrid, FPaykel, etc. etc.) are not for me. Everyone's face is different.

[pandaspandaspandas]

I'm using the Ultra Mirage FFM. It works well for me. I have previously used the ComfortGel nasal mask, the Opus nasal pillows, and the Hybrid FFM. None of them worked well for me. However, I began to sleep better with the Ultra Mirage almost immediately. Coming from those masks, it was a little tricky to figure out how to manage the leaks, but after a few nights I got the hang of it. No problems since.

The most difficult part for me was figuring out the right tension in the straps. However, that could be because I was used to the other mask styles.

Nevertheless, I find it a lot easier than messing around with tape, polident, and chin straps. It's a lot easier for me to just put on the mask and the Zzoma and call it a night now

[pdean44]

Yeah getting tired of the chin straps and other devices just to find out i snored any way. The mask was comfortable but apparently useless. So i hope i can get a full and get one that works well with no leaks and is comfortable to wear.

[Thomas F.]

I recently switched back to the Quattro from the Liberty Hybrid. To me the Quattro is most comfortable FFM I have come across. You pull straps and then do the final adjustments with a turning knob which works well. The seals fill with air and press against face which is comfortable. It's the one mask that I do not have to put on tightly to prevent leaks which is key.

[Jersey Girl]

Dear pdean44,

I thought that for sure my husband would choose a Mirage Quatro (he is a mouth breather), but today he chose a Mirage Liberty (nasal pillows, but with a part that goes over your mouth, so you are getting your therapy either way). He liked that it did not obstruct his view and made him feel less claustrophobic. Still, his choice surprised me. So, when you go to check out masks - check out a few of them because one that you did not anticipate may surprise you as feeling more comfortable. Most importantly, lie down with the machine running as you try them.

Hope you find "the one".

Warmly,

Jersey Girl