ResMed's Mirage FX Mask. Pluses and Minuses.

[beanfruit]

When I started my therapy almost 4 weeks ago, I started with the Mirage FX and liked it a lot. My problems were partially just getting used to having something blowing into my nose (e.g., uncomfortable breathing "warm" air, feeling claustrophobic), but I also had some practical problems with the mask. I'm a side sleeper and felt like I would spring a leak easily about halfway through the night when on my side. As a new user, it wasn't conducive to just watch TV or read with my mask on because of the piece that went from the forehead to the mask. The other issue was the mask was just a little too big for my face. Apparently I have a petite face (lol, can't say I've ever been called petite before) and the mask would sometimes dig into the corner of my eye. My DME said the Mirage FX is becoming their most popular mask, but she had 2-3 other people not like it for the same fit reason I had. (Interesting to read another post that said the Mirage FX for Her is a slightly smaller mask. My DME claimed it was the same size as the regular, so I might have to challenge them on it!)

Personally, I liked the fact that the vent holes were in all different directions. I don't remember being as bothered by it because the stream of air didn't feel as forceful as what is coming out of my nasal pillow mask now.

So after the first week, I switched to the Swift FX for her and am doing pretty well. I have a few sores on my nose though, so I'm thinking I need to switch back to my Mirage FX to let them heal. I'm a little nervous about doing that and having to readjust, so we'll see what happens.

[ThirdOutOfFive]

Started with PAPpy about 3 weeks ago, with the Swift FX for her. So far, so good. Have no experience with any thing else, so I can't say more. . .

[XSnorer]

Had the same exact question as the OP.... So bumping this thread again for potential updatges... Anyone care to comment?

[gertrude]

I started with the Mirage FX for her. My main problem initially was sweating -- the mask would get very sticky and uncomfortable on my face in the night. I tried the Rmzzz liners (warning: the DME first sent the regular size, but that is too large for the "for her" model) and that seemed to help reduce the sweating discomfort. But then I developed a persistent sore on my nose -- bleeding and infected. After 2 weeks with that getting only worse, I had a doctor's appointment and the DME rep switched me to the Swift for her nasal pillows. Having some trouble adjusting to the pillows, so after I thought my nose had healed, I went back to the Mirage. Big Mistake. With only one night it scraped off the new skin on my nose and I am back to an open sore in the middle of a big red shiny lump just below the bridge of my nose. Lovely. But I guess other CPAP users will recognize me on the street as a fellow CPAPer!

But my experience may not be yours as all faces and noses seem to be different.

Does anyone else find these mask names unhelpful and even irritating? The "mirage" reminds me a streets like "Oakwood Drive" in a place where all the oaks were leveled for the development. Who are they kidding? And I have to look up the name of my equipment to write a post like this because the names are so meaningless that I can't keep the distinctions straight. LT? FX? It could be a little more straightforward.

[-tim]

I use a Mirage FX with Zest headgear. It works. The Mirage FX is more confortable than the Zest Q (which touches my nose) but I can't get the Zest Non-Q anymore. I had lower leaks with the Zest than the Mirage FX.

The Mirage FX is a pain to clean and dry. I've now going to cycling them so one may dry out by the next day. It also tends to leak near my eyes which is annoying. The vent wants to twist and I think it would make a great mask if it has a gimbal and not just a swivel.

My leaks are about 19L with an auto pressure of 9.6 and an AHI of .6 (that can't be right... 1.6 might be better). Range is 5->11.

I used the zest headgear since I woke up thinking I was grinding my teeth and had a headache. I put the zest headgear on (with the plastic moustache bit too) and it fit better and leaked less.

[Anne Marie]

I am using my CPAP with Mirage FX Mask for half a year now. And I am not very happy but satisfied.
To avoid a slippery mask I clean my mask every night using a cotton pad with a little facial lotion. It smells good and it makes the surface of the edge a little more rough, just enough to avoid leaks. This works for me.

[chunkyfrog]

Mirage FX appears to be an (almost) one-size-fits-all mask.
--Yeah, right.

[Burkebang]

I have tried a few masks, most are indicated in my signature. Last week I got a Mirage FX. So far I'm very happy with it. The mask is very comfortable to wear, the best I have tried, even better than my former favourite, the Swift FX. I cannot tolerate nasal masks that pushes on my teeth at night, and this is the only nasal mask I have tried that does not to that.

I am an APAP user with a very wide pressurerange, 4-15 cm/h2o. A range that I often use all or most of in a single night. I need my mask to seal over the whole pressurerange, most don't but this one holds up very well, even with quite loose straps. With this mask I have gone from a normal AHI between 3 and 7 down to 0.1-0.8.

I'm trying to think of minuses, I see a few mentioned in this thread. While I can understand some of them, none of them has presented any problem for me at all. Cleaning the mask is even easier than the Swift FX, just remove the elbow and the whole cusion snaps out for easy cleaning and reattachment.

[Mybubbas]

Hi,

I started using this mask about a month ago. I find that the seal winds up shifting and cutting off my airway in one nostril. As well, I have woken up and have found that I've ripped it off in the middle of the night, something I've never done with my old mask. I'm a side sleeper and the mask also shifts and there is no proper seal around my nose/mouth.

Anyone having this trouble?