The search for a FFM (again)

[snoringshrink]

My experience has been similar to yours. I started with nasal pillows but had to give that up due to asymmetrical nostrils. Huh??? Next I tried the Activa LT nasal mask and it worked great...until my winter battle with nasal congestion started.

My DME suggested the F&P 431 and it seemed to fit somewhat OK, although with my somewhat megalocephalic skull, it was slightly small even in the large size. However, it seemed OK until the first night when at two in the morning I was awakened by a sound not unlike the bean-eating scene in Blazing Saddles. After trying it for several days with the same results, I called my DME back.

She listened with a sympathetic ear and then sent over three other masks, a Quattro FX, a Respironics Comfortgel Full, and a Roscoe FFM. I tried the Respironics first. It was comfortable but started farting in just few minutes. No matter how I adjusted it, the bean effect continued.

Next, I strapped on the Quattro FX. It came with a tool to help measure the face to determine the right size. I slipped in on three nights ago and, voila, it fits great, doesn't fart, and keeps my leak numbers low along with my AHI!

The point to this saga is to keep trying til you get one that works. If your DME doesn't want to help, the same advice applies: Keep trying different DMEs until you get one that works!

Have a great New Year, one and all.

[snuginarug]

I am resurrecting this thread as I have finally had my appointment with the DME. I left a message with exactly what I wanted to try. Apparently no one got the message or the message was ignored because the very first thing she did was start ripping open a Quattro package. Without even talking to me. ?!?!?!?!? So I said Oh, hey, hey , no, don't do that. But it was too late. She had already ripped open the plastic.I don't know what they will do with the opened package and brand new mask, but I guess that is their problem.

Anyway, since we got off that bad start I made sure to make her know I had researched and had specific ideas. So we started with the F&P 432. That's the one with the foam insert? Well, at any rate, we tried that one in small which was too small. Then we tried the medium and that seemed to fit. So, on the second try we fixed on something for me to take home. I just woke up from a nap without the foam insert. I was aware, in a state very close to sleep, that I was leaking just the tiniest bit here, and then there, and then here again. The tiniest leaks. They are so tiny, I am not sure they would affect therapy. BUT--- I will try another nap this afternoon with the foam insert and see how that goes. I am feeling very hopeful. I'll keep you guys updated.

Thank you all for your support and advice!

[Madalot]

Snug --

Crossing fingers, toes and eyeballs that the 432 works okay for you. Please let us know, k?

{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}

Mad

[snuginarug]

Oh... I forgot to mention she tried to give me the wrong filters. Gave them to me, I looked and said No, these are wrong, mine are smaller and without this tab. And she said Oh yes, these are right, you put them in this way, and the tab goes there. So I repeated they were wrong, that mine were smaller and had no tab. So she said again these were the right ones. I disagreed again and told her again what shape and size they are supposed to be. She was opening her mouth to contradict me again, when I said Nevermind, I'll just call the warehouse. But this IS the warehouse, she said. So reluctantly she went back and the warehouse man came out bearing the correct filters. I said thank you and she looked sullen. Whatever.

I stay with them despite stuff like this, because I believe in buying local, and this is a local business, not a national chain. I don't know. I get along with the warehouse people just fine, so when I just need a standard re-supply, things are fine. The RTs are not very good, but what do I need an RT for these days, except to furnish me with masks to try on in the office? I know enough from being in this forum to take care of everything else. Oh, and I will have to have them read my SD card for me with the new mask. I bought a new computer loaded with Win 7 and couldn't get Encore to install. Which actually doesn't matter that much as the usb ports on the new computer are all set together so close, my card reader won't fit in there. I assume Encore will get around to making software compatible with Win 7, and then I can get a usb extension cord. My numbers were always almost perfect before and I stopped checking them as they were quite boring. But I will need to see how the new mask performs. Hopefully I won't have big problems about that. Well, if they are difficult about that, I know how to get what I want by insisting.

[squid13]

Snug a mask liner would probably take care of those small leaks. I just got a F&P Forma and just ordered a mask liner from PadACheck for it.

[archangle]

You might also consider hybrid or oral masks.

[snuginarug]

Snug --

Crossing fingers, toes and eyeballs that the 432 works okay for you. Please let us know, k?

{{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}

Mad

Mad, uncross your eyes right this minute young lady. Your face might get stuck that way and then where would you be? Really, thank you for your encouragement and concern. I appreciate it greatly.

Snug a mask liner would probably take care of those small leaks. I just got a F&P Forma and just ordered a mask liner from PadACheck for it.

Thanks for the idea. I immediately went to PadACheek's site, but could not find one for F&P 432. I messaged PadACheek herself asking if i was just stupid and couldn't find it, or if she actually does not have one developed yet. I've got my fingers crossed that it has been developed and i just couldn't find it.

You might also consider hybrid or oral masks.

An oral device is not really on my mind right now as I generally breathe through my nose. Nor is a hybrid. I tried pillows and I liked them very much,. but my nares are too long and narrow. My real problem is not that I am a mouth breather. It is congestion and an EXTREME dislike of nasal masks. That being said, I am taking nothing off the table, I am open to all ideas, but I am pursuing FFMs first. If I exhaust my FFM options without finding one, I will contemplate other styles of mask.

But I think I might have found the right one. I am cautiously hopeful. I slept 4 hours with the mask on last night, without the insert. I was vaguely aware of re-seating the mask a few times to stop leaks, but I immediately went right back to sleep. I woke up after 4 hours with the mask still on. This is a major feat as the last few months or so, I have been waking up with the mask off, having taken it off in my sleep due to congestion. Waking up with the mask still on is a real triumph. I am also very pleased I spent part of the night on my side. I sleep much more soundly on my side, but side sleeping makes my congestion worse, so I have been sleeping on my back for months now. 4 hours doesn't sound very good, but actually it is. I've had insomnia for years now, before CPAP and after. Sleeping only 4 hours is completely normal for me. Unfortunately.

So, cautious hope.

[Madalot]

But I think I might have found the right one. I am cautiously hopeful. I slept 4 hours with the mask on last night, without the insert. I was vaguely aware of re-seating the mask a few times to stop leaks, but I immediately went right back to sleep. I woke up after 4 hours with the mask still on. This is a major feat as the last few months or so, I have been waking up with the mask off, having taken it off in my sleep due to congestion. Waking up with the mask still on is a real triumph.

This is very hopeful news and I am cautiously optimistic with you! Keep us posted on how you do, k?

[snuginarug]

Good news: I now have access to my data!!! Yay!!! I downloaded SleepyHead and discovered a USB extension cord in my computer accessory drawer. Whoopee!

Bad news: I checked my data ad my AHI jumped from consistently under 3 to consistently over 6, usually over 10. Agh! I am ordering an anti-leak strap from PAC, but do not know if it will be helpful, as the leak tends to be near the eyes, not the side or chin. I have until the 31st to try this mask, and hopefully I'll get the strap in time to give it a good trial. I am trying the 432, without the foam insert. While I wait for the strap, I will experiment using the mask with the foam insert.

If this mask does not work out, can someone suggest which mask to try next? For example, the Forma? Or maybe the Respironics masks next? I am considering: Respironics ComfortFull 2 Full Face, Respironics ComfortGel, DeVilbiss Easy Fit. Any feedback would be most welcome.

[DoriC]

Snug, it's only been one night with the anti-leak strap but Mike's leak rate was almost zero with AHI=2.6 for 10hrs sleep. We've had the strap for a long time but he was unwilling to have "more stuff" on his face until these last few weeks of battling leaks all night. Keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck.

[fiberfan]

as the leak tends to be near the eyes, not the side or chin.

Have you considered the gel pads that sit on the bridge of the nose? That might help with the leaks near the eyes.

[archangle]

Bad news: I checked my data ad my AHI jumped from consistently under 3 to consistently over 6, usually over 10.

ARe those AHI numbers for the whole day, or for the graph on the daily chart?

[snuginarug]

ARe those AHI numbers for the whole day, or for the graph on the daily chart?

Hmm. I don't quite understand your question... I am looking at 2 weeks worth of data all at once, with big bars on a chart indicating each night's average AHI. My nightly average AHI, with my usual nasal mask, is consistently under 3. My nightly average AHI, with the F&P 432, is consistently over 6, usually over 10.

I just took a nap with the foam insert in. AHI 12.8. No better as far as AHI is concerned, and a hell of a lot more uncomfortable. Bless JediMark, I would be totally in the dark with no data if not for SleepyHead.

as the leak tends to be near the eyes, not the side or chin.

Have you considered the gel pads that sit on the bridge of the nose? That might help with the leaks near the eyes.

I think I know what you're talking about and when I am at the pharmacy tomorrow I will look for them. Does anyone know what section of the pharmacy they would be in? Or, wait, is the pharmacy the right place? Do I look in the craft area of Walmart? I am confused. If anyone knows, it would be a big help.

Snug, it's only been one night with the anti-leak strap but Mike's leak rate was almost zero with AHI=2.6 for 10hrs sleep. We've had the strap for a long time but he was unwilling to have "more stuff" on his face until these last few weeks of battling leaks all night. Keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck.

Dori, thank you for the encouragement. I am hoping the leak strap works as this is a really nice mask, very comfy and I like the under chin design.

This is very hopeful news and I am cautiously optimistic with you! Keep us posted on how you do, k?

Thanks, Mad. Let's continue to hope. Now I've got MY fingers, toes and eyes crossed.

[archangle]

ARe those AHI numbers for the whole day, or for the graph on the daily chart?

Hmm. I don't quite understand your question... I am looking at 2 weeks worth of data all at once, with big bars on a chart indicating each night's average AHI. My nightly average AHI, with my usual nasal mask, is consistently under 3. My nightly average AHI, with the F&P 432, is consistently over 6, usually over 10.

You're looking at the daily AHI numbers, i.e. one number for each day. That's the most meaningful number. SleepyHead also has an AHI graph on the daily view showing your AHI for the past hour. The hourly AHI graph will vary a lot more than the daily average.

When people discuss AHI, they're usually discussing the daily average.

[fiberfan]

Have you considered the gel pads that sit on the bridge of the nose? That might help with the leaks near the eyes.

I think I know what you're talking about and when I am at the pharmacy tomorrow I will look for them.

The one I have is made by ResMed. Cpap.com carries it and one made by another company (https://www.cpap.com/cpap-comfort-clean ... -leaks.php).