Hi, newcomer to the forum.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:27 am

Hi;
I am new to this forum, and i have to say that i am happy i found you folks!!! I have OSA and have been using cpap for 1 month now. It's good to know that i'm not alone with all of this, and after reading alot of the posts, i see that the "trials and tribulations" are common.
I was renting a cpap from the sleep study institute,(cost was almost a small car payment) Last week i decided to check with a cpap provider in my area, and they provided me with a cpap on a payment plan, about the same monthly cost as the first cpap, but i'll own it in 6 months.
I'm using the F&P sleep style 234, and the Aclaim2 mask. The mask is leaving my face and forhead pretty marked up, and if it's not literally torqued on, it leaks!!!
Due to the pressure i'm at (12) it was suggested that i use nasal masks. Since my health insurance doesn't cover any of this, i can't afford to buy multiple masks to try
The mask i had with the rental was the F&P flexifit 405 and with the swivel the hose would sit to one side , and i found that it would lift abit on the opposite side of the mask, if not torqued to my face. I figured that with the Aclaim 2, the hose goes over my head , that this would fix that problem! I still have to have the mask really tight!!
I apologize if this post is long ,but i don't have anyone to talk to about this stuff(my wife is supportive, but doesn't really understand)

Any way, has any one used the mirage vista mask, as it has nothing touching the fore head, i thought that i could avoid the HUGE RED DENTS that i get?

God bless,
Terry

guested · Post by **guested** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:50 am

Terry:

Have had many masks in 11 yrs on cpap and the vista was one of the worst.
I gave it to my Brother and he tried it a few nights then threw it OUT. Save your money!
However the mirage SWIFT has been the best interface I have found for ME and I am now on my 5th one. Only interface I use now! Maybe you can look into that one as well as some others that have been written about on this form!

Best to you,

steve,
ufo13

jimbo1957 · Post by **jimbo1957** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:08 pm

Hi Terry,

I, too, am a relative newcomer here on the forum (I still can't really figure out some of the navigation tools-esp. the "search" function...) but I've found it really helpful to read through other folks' experiences. I am ONE day into using the comfort curve and I've gotta say it was my first night of using the CPAP for more than 4 hours straight... very comfortable... lots of air blowing around (which seems noisy, but not as annoying as the trickle of air from the exhaust port that would blow directly into my right eye with the previous mask.) I think I had a good seal, however, and it amazed me how much more comfortable I was wearing it...

Given how many people's negatives on this forum about the mask, all I can say is what folks have said to me... keep trying 'til you find one that fits you. As a 300+ lbs kind of guy, I can assure you that one size NEVER fits all!!!

Best, Jimbo

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:41 pm

Terry and Jimbo,

Welcome to the online version of "Survivor"......
This doesn't have to be a torture test, and finding thr right mask is one of the keys to good therapy as you've probably determined by now.
I hope you find the right ones......keep us informed as to your progress.
One person's miracle is another's misery, as far as those things go.

Hang in there!

Best wishes,

Den

sleepylady · Post by **sleepylady** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 12:55 pm

Hi Terry,

I have been on CPAP since last September. In that time I've went through 5 masks before finding "the one." My pressure is a 16 and I have found that the Headrest (formerly Aura) by AEIOmed works great!!! I'm also a tummy sleeper and this is the first mask I've found that actually works for me without my having to hang my head over the pillow.

Best of luck,
Melinda

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:31 pm

Thank you for your replies and the words of encouragement It would appear that finding the right interface(mask) is where the compliance really hinges on. THE BIG CHALLENGE.
I went out today and got some velcro and some foam to modify the mask, hopefully to better pad the part that is imprinting/denting my forehead.
On the bright side, since using the cpap i have noticed i'm less tired through out the day, and have started going to the gym as a result.
I see some light at the end of the hose, umm, i mean tunnel

God bless,

Terry.

Pad A Cheek · Post by **Pad A Cheek** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 1:40 pm

CPAP.com carries PAD A CHEEK, which I make, an it will prevent marks by the headgear.
Good luck finding the right treatment options for you. It takes patience and perserverance.
The forum is a big help and great support for new "hoseheads"
Stay in toucha dn teh group here will help you along the way.
Karen

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 2:30 pm

Hi Terry, and welcome to the message board. You've come to the right place for support and for help making this crazy new way of trying to go to sleep more comfortable.

Terry wrote: Due to the pressure i'm at (12) it was suggested that i use nasal masks.

Whoever told you that is pretty clueless about cpap interfaces (masks.) They probably believe it, but they are dead wrong if they were trying to steer you away from nasal pillows interfaces. Nasal pillows (Breeze, Swift, and "Headrest" formerly known as the Aura) work exceptionally well at any pressure, including 20!

I've experimentally tried the Aura and the Breeze up there in the stratosphere; briefly, but with thorough toss'n'turn testing just to see how they held up against high pressure. With the addition of a soft homemade strap that I like to use even at low pressures to steady them for turning side-to-side, they work great against high pressures too.

If you particularly want an interface that has nothing in front of the eyes, and want to try a nasal pillows mask, I'd suggest ResMed's Swift. It comes with all three sizes of nasal pillows, so don't let the DME hand you just one size, saying, "Oh, this is the fit for you!" Make the DME give you all three sizes to take home. You might find as the night goes on that a different size actually suits you better. DME's often think a size that's really a tad too small "fits".

The Vista...well, I'd skip that one. It's probably the only ResMed mask I've tried that was leaky. Go for the Swift instead. All the other ResMed masks I've used were very good.

If you decide to stick with a traditional nasal mask, I'd suggest ResMed's Mirage Activa. Works best if you wear the straps very loose (what a nice surprise! )

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 8:49 pm

I went to see my gear supplier this afternoon, looking for an alternate mask suggestion. I looked at several, and they let me take a Flexifit HC 407 home for an overnight test drive. I couldn't resist a preview, so i hosed up, and wow!! Since it is a little smaller, there seems to be less area to leak, and i didn't have to torque it too tight.
Looking forward to tonite, and a full evaluation.

God Bless,

Terry.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 8:14 am

I test drove a F&P Flexifit HC 407 last night. It defiitely fit my face better than HC 405 that i used with my rental, and the Aclaim 2 i purchased with my new machine. I didnot have to over tighten the straps to get a good seal. When i awoke this morn the mask and straps had shifted/ slid up a little bit, and the rubber supports on the forehead part were barely toching my forehead , and it wasn't leaking
I looked in the mirror, and the telltale red dents on my forehead were not there, and barely any strap marks on my cheeks!!

I think i found the Holy Grail of masks, for me!!!

God Bless,

Terry

2SleepDeprived · Post by **2SleepDeprived** » Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:25 pm

I have been told by 2 RTs now that the Flexifit 407 is a great choice. It's the only mask I've tried, and I've been able to tolerate it okay (although my husband still can't stop laughing at how I look with it on!). I have strap marks on my face in the mornings, but no irritation. The top of the mask is a little heavy on my nose, but not so much that I can't sleep. Glad to hear someone else is having success with this type of mask. After reading the misery of others with various brands, I'm glad to know I at least got steered in the right direction on this!

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:36 am

Hello 2 sleep deprived;
Glad to hear that the 407 is working out for you After 4 nights using my 407, i'm really satisfied with it. I've been using cpap therapy for a month now, and since cutting back on coffee,and starting a regular exercise program, i feel better than i have felt in years!!
I pray that things will only get better.
I realize that nobody wants OSA, but we owe it to ourselves and our loved ones to treat and lessen it's effects the best that we can. There are 2 members in my immediate family that have it as well, but choose not to treat it This is not going to get the best of me!!

May God Bless us all,

Terry

Hootowl · Post by **Hootowl** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:00 pm

Terry and all: I was given the Flexifit 407 when I first got my apap machine in October, 1005. I, too, find it fits very well, but do notice, as you did Terry, that it slips up my forehead during the night. I sometimes wake and pull it down again to fit my head, but like you the mask itself does not fall off or leak. I'm quite satisfied with this mask. Isn't it great to be well rested!!!

Hi, newcomer to the forum.

Hi, newcomer to the forum.

Red Marks

Re: Hi, newcomer to the forum.

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Additional Comments: pressure - 12

Mask

Additional Comments: pressure - 12

Mask

Additional Comments: pressure - 12

Mask

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