FF Mask fitting tips? Silicone putty? Leak fixers?

[snuginarug]

I now have a mask fitting appointment for week after next, and the RT will be calling me tomorrow. Hopefully the conversation with the RT will go well. But whether I use this DME or another, I will be trying numerous masks soon. I have read Janknitz' fitting guide carefully. I am looking for any tips or suggestions in trying masks. I bring my own pillows and they have a bed I can lie down on. I try the mask on my back and then on my side. I do my best to relax my face and let it go slack, as it would in sleep. (That changes things remarkably!) I am wondering if, for FFM, is it better to place the mask on your face and then turn on the machine, or the other way around? Jnaknitz instructs, for the Quattro, to place the mask gently on just to get the straps around your head, turn it on, then adjust. (If I remember correctly.) The Quattro is designed with the air cushion and I am wondering if this technique is best for other masks? I am completely accustomed to my pressure and don't really feel it after the initial blast, so I don't have to worry about that factor. I have read that FFMs should be tried with the mouth slightly open. Does anyone have information on this?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

To be prepared to really find out if a given mask will work at all... I would love to hear what people prefer for additional stabilization straps... panty hose, tights, etc. I would also like to know the name of that silicone putty type stuff some use to stop leaks, and find where I can acquire some.

Again, anything at all that might be of help is GREATLY appreciated.

[retrodave15]

Leak fixers are fixed for an improperly sized / fitted mask. I would try as many masks on until you find one that fits properly without having to resort to a leak fixer.

[snuginarug]

Leak fixers are fixed for an improperly sized / fitted mask. I would try as many masks on until you find one that fits properly without having to resort to a leak fixer.

This would be the ideal situation, naturally. But I am terribly afraid that I might never find such a mask. And even if that perfect fit mask is out there somewhere, I may not be able to find it this round, and I absolutely MUST get a FFM. I can't live without one at this point. My nasal mask problems are insuperable. If I have to wear an ill fitting one with leak fixes, I will.

But this fear of mine, that there is no mask in the world that would ever fit me... I have a question about masks in general. With women's clothes, a size 8 is supposed to be very much like all other size 8s. It is intended to be an industry standard. Are the small medium and large mask sizes supposed to meet an industry standard, or are they consistent only within one brand? Or are they even consistent from mask to mask in one brand? The more variation the better, in my case, because I fall exactly and precisely between small and medium of the Quattros I have tried. If those sizes are the standard industry sizes, I am screwed and should just move on the the total face mask.

I am feeling very anxious and desperate about this. Last night my nose stopped up after ONE HOUR of sleep. I couldn't breathe, so I groggily took off the mask with the intention of getting up and waiting until my nose drained. But I fell asleep. I spent the rest of the night struggling to wake up and either get out of bed or put the mask on. But I was trapped in these horrible nightmares and could not wake myself up. It was hell. Needless to say, I felt terrible this morning. I am sick of having to choose either to suffocate all night long without a mask because of my stopped up nose, or deciding to wake up, get out of bed and just not sleep. I have been choosing to just not sleep, and obviously this is not something that can go on indefinitely.

Please cross your fingers for me, or send good energy, or pray for me, or whatever you do. I am going crazy.

[chunkyfrog]

From having several brands of masks, it appears that each manufacturer has its own fitting paradigm.
Whether or not the faces used for sizing by each manufacturer actually have apnea is a good question.
Try a different manufacturer.

[retrodave15]

I see that you are using a softgel mask, I think and it is just my opinion, I liked the Mirage Quattro better as it was an inflating seal that uses air pressure to seal. It almost floats on top of your face. I really had to tighten up the straps on the mask to get it to seal right.

When you try the masks on, do it in bed, roll around, and use your normal pillows. See what fits best. As for the sizing, I fall right between the medium and large. The sent me home with both sizes, I finally settled on the large as it fits the best.

As for nasal congestion, have you tried any of the nose sprays like Flonase? I have found with regular use they really help. You may also want to use the white pollen or fine filter with your machine as well.

[snuginarug]

From having several brands of masks, it appears that each manufacturer has its own fitting paradigm.

This is very encouraging.

Thank you for responding, retrodave. I appreciate you taking the time to help me out.

I see that you are using a softgel mask, I think and it is just my opinion, I liked the Mirage Quattro better

The softgel is a nasal, and it fits perfectly, and is in every respect as comfortable as is possible. There's nothing wrong with it except that it is a nasal. I tried the Mirage Quattro and the Quattro FX and for both of them I lie exactly in between small and medium. Neither will work. I experienced the floating cushion thing and it felt heavenly, but it just doesn't fit. I am extremely sad about that.

As for nasal congestion, have you tried any of the nose sprays like Flonase? I have found with regular use they really help. You may also want to use the white pollen or fine filter with your machine as well.

I use the fine filter an boy am I glad I do. When I change them, they are black. Yech. I have also played around with the humidifier extensively. I have not tried any pharmaceutical interventions, mainly because I don't have allergies, but also because I am definitely not crazy about the idea of messing around with drugs. I take way too many already.

The nasal congestion is just a spur though. I hated nasal masks from the very beginning and still hate them just as much after a year of using them exclusively. I kept hoping I would get to like it better,and kept feeling very discouraged about my last attempt to try to find a FFM. Of course, I didn't know anything about masks back then, as a new cpap user. I now know they did not try very hard at all to help me find a FFM. For example, they let me try on a F&P 431 in medium, and when that was too big, said "There is a small, but we don't have one." That is going to b the first thing on my list, I want to try the F&P 431 and 432 in small.

[jamiswolf]

Snuginarug,
It is a struggle finding a good fit. I tried quite a few, including the ComfortGel FF and nasal. But sort of by accident, I got a Quattro and it turned out to be the best fit. Not perfect though...

The curve around my chin below my lower lip doesn't quite fit snug enough...and so it leaks there. Everywhere else is perfect. So this is how I've solved that. I located some silicone sheeting. Well actually I already had it. It's medical grade silicone designed for skin contact and about 1/8" thick. I cut some rectangles about 1 1/2" X 3" and lay that across my chin about at lower lip level. Then a T shirt gasket and the mask on top of that. So comfortable that by morning I hardly can tell I have a mask on. I use a BiPap with fairly low pressures.

I wouldn't ever put anything permanent on a hovercraft type seal. My concern would be that it would reduce flexibility and cause leaks.
J

[retrodave15]

When I was trying on full face masks at my DME, they brought this one out as it came with all three size cushions.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/fisher ... -mask.html

It came down between the Mirrage Quattro and the FP hc431, I ended up with the ResMed mask, but I liked the F&P mask as well.

If you can - get them to bring out this one and make sure they give you all three cushions.

Plus the under chin design of the FP mask might work better for you. I tried it because on the Quattro FX full face my lower lip would side out under the mask at times - negating the value of a full face. The chin cup would have prevented this.

[snuginarug]

Hmm, I guess "putty" is not the right word for the silicone stuff I am thinking of... it is rolly stuff that you can shape into little worms, sort of, to fill in leaky spots. Not actual putty or caulking. I was thinking more like silly putty, lol.

I will ask for the 431 to try. All things being equal, I will take home a 431 before another mask because I hear so many good things about them.

I am going to ask if the RT who fitted me before made notes of what I tried on. We can eliminate some masks that way. I am still really annoyed that the one F&P mask they had was in two sizes only. I don't remember the name of the mask, it might have been the Forma which comes in medium/large in the same package, but small and exlarge must be bought separately. At any rate, simply telling me "Oh there is a small but we don't have it" is not good enough.

Agh, I am really hoping my current DME can accommodate my needs to try on a variety of masks in ALL sizes. Either that or let me keep buying and returning masks. They have to do one or the other.

[Sheriff Buford]

You can get the putty in the craft section of Walmart. Craft stores also sell it. I am pondering the putty myself. At the life-end of my mask, my mask starts to leak around my temples, but I think the air pressure would overcome the putty. Food for thought.... thanks, Sheriff

[retrodave15]

I will ask for the 431 to try. All things being equal, I will take home a 431 before another mask because I hear so many good things about them.

As I said that particular mask comes with all 3 sizes, similar to the respironics "fit pack". If they have other FP masks maybe they can order it. My DME told me that if wanted something they did not carry on a regular basis, they could order it for me. I have a good DME that is pretty responsive to customer needs. My RT told me " A happy satisfied patient is more likely to be a compliant patient"

My RT told me " A happy satisfied patient is more likely to be a compliant patient." I wish all DMEs and RTs had this atitude.

[snuginarug]

I just spoke to one of the RTs at my DME about my scheduled mask fitting next week. I told her what I wanted to try and maybe she wrote that down. We'll see. I am a terrible pessimist and have fears that she didn't write what I wanted down, or that the message won't get to the correct RT, or that they will give me attitude for being assertive. But let's hope for the best.

You can get the putty in the craft section of Walmart. Craft stores also sell it.

Thank you Sheriff!

My RT told me " A happy satisfied patient is more likely to be a compliant patient." I wish all DMEs and RTs had this atitude.

My RT told me something similar but I ended up stuck with a mask I hated, so obviously she didn't really mean that. To give her credit, she did want me compliant, and trotted out a number of masks. I think the problem lay in the fact that they did not have a full range of current masks on hand. She let me try one crazy mask that didn't have quick clips and the velcro had to be adjusted every single time you put it on. That one made me cry.

I will update after my mask fitting next week and let you guys know how it goes.