Quattro FX -- Please post feedback on it

[DoriC]

Yes, I will try it with the blower on but my problem is if it's prone to leaking during the night and needs little "wiggles" here and there, Mike would be lost as to what to do. It took him a long time to get the hang of readjusting the UM if necessary but I don't know how successful he'd be if he had to do it too often while asleep. My inclination right now because of my unusual situation is to leave well enough alone with him. He slept 9hrs last night, straight leak line, AHI=0.8. Of course that's not every night but he's always well within good therapy treatment. I think I just have new mask envy!

[SleepingUgly]

I agree that if you can't make it work during naps, it's not worth the hassle during the night.

[sister]

Hi Dori,
I totally agree,if Mike is doing well,give GOD the praise and keep on doing what you are doing.
I wouldn't dare try to change a thing!
GOD BLESS YOU BOTH!!

[DoriC]

Sister, Your blessings are always so comforting, thank you!

[SleepingUgly]

I'm finding this mask to be very erratic. One night it's not leaking when I go to sleep, but it leaks during the night. One night it doesn't leak. Last night I couldn't get it to seal (with the blower or and with the blower off) at all, so I couldn't even sleep with it. I really want this mask to work because it's the first FFM that doesn't hurt my nose!

Are people who were having success with this mask still having success? Any further tips?

[Beach Lad]

I am still mostly successful with it. I think it is because I usually sleep on my back and rarely roll over to my side. When I do, the mask sometimes dislodges when it hits the pillow. Then I have to start all over again.

It is really comfortable. It did help a lot when I started wearing it lower on my nose. However, by doing this, there could be a problem with the lower part leaking because it isn't situated in the valley between the lower lip and the chin (is there a word for that spot?). I think that is why a lot of people are going to masks smaller than what they normally wear.

[SleepingUgly]

I have been using FX since mid December and for the first 2 weeks it was great and then I seemed to get lots of leaks near the eyes even though I had not changed the strap positions. I struggled and even went back to the supplier and got her to check the fit - all OK. I wanted it to work so I ordered a new cushion - thought maybe that was the issue as the supplier said 2 others had returned their masks with the same complaint and new cushions had fixed their problems.
When I picked up the new cushion the supplier would not accept payment as she had spoken to the Resmed Rep. and asked if there were any problems with the cushions - she wanted to know why so many people were having problems ( by now a few more people had also had problems). The Rep told her that there had been a problem with the manufacture of some cushions and to send them back for replacement!
Everything seems OK with the new cushion although I do seem to need the mask tight for a good seal.

Snoozysue, are you having success with the new cushion? I wonder if that's what my problem is...

Anyone else have continued success with this? Banned? Uncle Bob? Ohammersmith? (Can't remember who else was using it)

[paulw]

I usually wear Opus or Swift FX nasal pillows, but keep a back-up FFM too.
I decided to try the FX to replace my regular Quattro when my insurance would pay for another mask.
The DME tech didn't use the Resmed fitting tool.
We tried on a medium and a small. The small felt better, but was very snug & didn't seem to have enough range of adjustment in the headgear. They didn't have any size large headgear to swap for the medium supplied with the mask.
He asked me to try out a demo medium they had for a few days...it worked OK, but didn't really feel very stable on my face.
after 4 nights with the medium, I took it back and exchanged it for the small.
Turns out, once I got it home and played with it a bit, there was sufficient strap length in the medium headgear. The small is very stable and comfortable for me

I don't have any special fit tips other than I go back and fine tune (loosen) the tension on the straps a couple minutes after I lay down and it's warmed up a bit.

I'm quite happy to be rid of the between the eyes & forehead bracing.
I only thing I don't like about this mask is I can't seem to do the swing-fit thing without sitting up all the way...fortunately, I only needed to 're-install' the medium mask a couple nights during the demo. Guess I'm spoiled by how easy my pillow masks go on and off while laying down.

[Tip10]

From a leak perspective I'm having good luck with this mask -- I can get it to not leak every night, all night.
Problem is, from a comfort perspective, for me at least, this mask is all over the spectrum.

For example, Saturday night it was a pure pain to wear -- so much so that I was planning on being back at the DME first thing this morning to try and switch it out for something else.
Then last night it was a sheer pleasure to wear -- really, REALLY comfortable -- so now I'm not sure.
No leaks either night. Other numbers good both nights but quite a bit better last night.
So what was the difference? Don't have a friggin' clue.

I am attributing some of this to me being brand new on CPAP and still learning the little tips and tricks on putting on the mask and all but this mask seems to be really inconsistent to me. I've never been able to get it to fit the same from one night to the next. I am brand new to this and this is really the only mask I've used (did use a Mirage in my sleep test).

I'm hoping that the inconsistencies I'm having are associated with this mask and not indicative of what I'm to be faced with from here on out. I was hoping to find something I could be comfortable with since I'm likely to be wedded to this for the rest of my days...And I'm hoping you all who have been doing this for a while will tell me this isn't a pipe dream....PLEASE tell me this isn't a pipe dream...

So far the FX doesn't seem to be it. I'm sincerely hoping that perhaps last night was a turning point and this thing will work for me from now on out otherwise I'm open to suggestions.

I need and like a full face and if things continue as they are I may try going back to the Mirage -- anybody got recommendation on others to try?

[SleepingUgly]

Paulw, do you turn on the blower and then put the mask on, or put it on and then turn on the blower?

[SleepingUgly]

Tip, I can't speak from my own crappy experience with CPAP masks, but I think the majority of people find a mask that gives them consistent results. There are many people who just strap a mask on and go to sleep for the night. I am apparently not lucky enough to be one of them, thanks perhaps to my narrow nose bridge, but there are many who do.

[paulw]

Paulw, do you turn on the blower and then put the mask on, or put it on and then turn on the blower?

Hi SU,
My machine "auto-ons" almost as soon as I place the mask on my face. I then pull the headgear over my head and attach the clips - per the Resmed instructions.
Usually, I then snug it up if there is any leaking, lay down, relax and re-adjust/loosen. After that, its been very stable (I'm a side sleeper) and comfortable.

Disclaimer: I used the Opus 360 for my sleep study and been comfortable with it ever since. I thought I should have a FFM in case of nasal congestion, so I got the Quattro then Q FX, but I only have 9 nights with the new mask.

[drj130]

Seeing how almost everyone has been changing the head gear on the Quatto FX, I'm going to try the same. I don't have access to the large head gear, I'm gonna try one of the head gears from one of my Comfortgel FFMs. I have two on hand so it won't cause me any problems there. Just put it all together and used the mask fit feature and so far everything seemed good to go.

Just have to remember to shave before I go to sleep to help increase the chances of it working. I'll let you all know in the morning and post my stuff.

David

[paulw]

Seeing how almost everyone has been changing the head gear on the Quatto FX, I'm going to try the same. I don't have access to the large head gear, I'm gonna try one of the head gears from one of my Comfortgel FFMs. I have two on hand so it won't cause me any problems there. Just put it all together and used the mask fit feature and so far everything seemed good to go.

Just have to remember to shave before I go to sleep to help increase the chances of it working. I'll let you all know in the morning and post my stuff.

David

Hi David,
While I was playing with the first Q FX i tried (medium), I put the headgear from a Hybrid mask on it.
I was going to use it on the small size I eventually bought, but it turned out the standard medium headgear it came with works for me.
Good luck with the mask fitting...

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

I just received my small Quattro fx. I measure 1/4 of the way between the small and the medium on the gauge. The upper portion of the mask does feel a little tight on my nose bridge, mid bridge that is. It really feels like the mask should be just a touch larger, but I think the medium would be too big. I was able to get it not to leak. We'll see how I do with a full night's worth of use.

SleepingUgly I see that you were also between sizes, did you stick with the small?