my experience with Resmed Liberty (hybrid) so far

[justacpapuser]

So far I have been using Resmed Quattro FX full face mask, as I'm a mouth breather. However, every now and then I would get leaks into my eyes which would wake me. I tried the Innomed hybrid but just couldn't get the nasal pillows right (pity, it is much cheaper) and the headgear straps were a pain. I have been using Resmed Liberty for about 1-2 weeks now. Initially, my nostrils were sour in the morning but I think the skin hardened a little bit and the silicone got softer so it isn't much of a problem anymore. The headgear is much easier and user friendly than the Innomed. It takes a few seconds to adjust the nasal pillows and I had to secure the velcro a bit harder because initially it leaks from the corners of my mouth.

Overall, it is a pretty good mask and I think I'm going to stick with it. No leaks into the eyes anymore, and the best thing is that I feel some pressure from the chin towards my head (probably the manner the headgear is designed) and I think it keeps my mouth closed almost all the time which makes me breath through my nose and not get a dry mouth anymore. Initially the pressure was a bit annoying but I got used to it.

The most important tip I have for this mask (and potentially others), is after adjusting it, start the CPAP on the designated pressure before hitting the ramp button. At full pressure you can test whether it is properly set on your face, something that if you use the ramp from the start you may only find later on. I sometimes have to make some minor adjustments to the nasal pillows as there is a minor leak.

The mask itself comes with a small "extension" hose which I don't use (don't really understand what's it for). The only slightly annoying thing is that the swivel part seems to make a creaking noise when it moves (didn't happen in my Quattro FX mask).
The mask is expensive but worth it.

[mart9012]

I really didn't get on with the Liberty. When it fitted and stayed put it was fine but it rarely stayed put and leaked like crazy. I spoke to Resmed about it and they admitted that they have a lot of people who struggle with it and were happy to have it returned. I use a Quattro FX full face mask now and am getting on with it better. I still have an old mirage quattro that I use as a spare with my old Remed S6 - still a fine mask.

[justacpapuser]

I really didn't get on with the Liberty. When it fitted and stayed put it was fine but it rarely stayed put and leaked like crazy. I spoke to Resmed about it and they admitted that they have a lot of people who struggle with it and were happy to have it returned. I use a Quattro FX full face mask now and am getting on with it better. I still have an old mirage quattro that I use as a spare with my old Remed S6 - still a fine mask.

I think that a great deal of the masks out there are good but comfort is a very individual issue. Each person's face is different. It takes a little longer for me to properly adjust the Liberty mask than the full face one but I haven't experienced any leaks with it yet.

[justacpapuser]

I am happy with my hybrid. But I started noticing that after some use, I like to switch back to the Quattro Full Face mask for a while and then back.
Seems like my nostrils get aggravated and after a while I like switching to the full face mask. After a while there, the bridge of the nose starts to become aggravated and I shift back.
Anybody else alternates between masks on occasion?

[Sheriff Buford]

Great news on your mask journey! I have two comments:

- You may want to squeeze a little vaseline into the joint to take the sweak away. Don't put too much, just a small-light film.
- You'll probably eventually do away with the ramp feature. It's usually a comfort thang', and one of the downfalls is that one has to re-adjust the mask when the set pressure is activated. Most folks, including myself, used the ramp feature to help adjust to cpap therapy, but eventually did away with it. For me, when the set pressure kicked in, it would wake me up.

Sheriff

[jhsellers]

The mask itself comes with a small "extension" hose which I don't use (don't really understand what's it for). The only slightly annoying thing is that the swivel part seems to make a creaking noise when it moves (didn't happen in my Quattro FX mask).
The mask is expensive but worth it.

This "extension" hose is an integral part of the Liberty mask system - the end fitting of this short hose contains the anti-asphyxiation valve. You may want to use it with the mask.

My experience with the Mirage Liberty mask was so-so. It was tough getting used to the nasal pillows, but this was much better than the Mirage Quattro full-face mask wearing holes in the bridge of my nose. I used lanolin cream to ease the nose soreness, and as I continued to use the mask, my nose became a bit more acclimated to the pillows. I found I could use the mask without the lanolin, and it wouldn't be any worse - but the minor irritation/soreness was still evident from the nasal pillows.

The sizing of the nasal pillows seemed to be in between for me too. If I used the M pillows, it was easy for the pillows (one or the other, or both) to slip out of my nostril, and thus leak. If I used the Small pillows, these type of leaks weren't as frequent, but the small size of the pillow seemed to constrict the airflow too much.

I've just now switched to the Quattro FX mask, and I like it a lot so far.

[Bon Bon]

I am happy with my hybrid. But I started noticing that after some use, I like to switch back to the Quattro Full Face mask for a while and then back.
Seems like my nostrils get aggravated and after a while I like switching to the full face mask. After a while there, the bridge of the nose starts to become aggravated and I shift back.
Anybody else alternates between masks on occasion?

I rotate between masks, too. It seems like one will work perfectly for several days then it starts acting up. When that happens, or if I'm just in the mood for something different, I'll switch to a different mask for a while. Once I go back to the mask that was causing problems it works fine for me again - like it needed a little rest also.

[mnfe]

This is my mask for when I have nasal congestion that makes me mouth breath with my nasal pillows. I like it because I am already used to nasal pillows and most FFM leak at the bridge of my nose. I tried on a number of masks at my DME and this one worked the best for me. The RT did say that she doesn't usually put people in this one, but let me try it when I asked about it. In the end it was the one that I was the least fiddly with. It did take a lot of adjustment at night to really lock down the fit, and I also figured out the best way to fix mouth leaks. I usually have to adjust when I lay down (I'm a side sleeper) but once it's set, I'm good for the night.

[justacpapuser]

Great news on your mask journey! I have two comments:

- You may want to squeeze a little vaseline into the joint to take the sweak away. Don't put too much, just a small-light film.
- You'll probably eventually do away with the ramp feature. It's usually a comfort thang', and one of the downfalls is that one has to re-adjust the mask when the set pressure is activated. Most folks, including myself, used the ramp feature to help adjust to cpap therapy, but eventually did away with it. For me, when the set pressure kicked in, it would wake me up.

Sheriff

I find the ramp feature a very good one actually. I first activate the CPAP for the full pressure and adjust the mask. I then press the ramp button, knowing that my mask can take the full pressure.
Initially, the full pressure seems too much, but when using the ramp, I don't feel it being too much when it reaches the desired pressure. I think it is partially a psychological thing and partially a big difference instead of gradual one.
Different people may have different preferences.

[Sheriff Buford]

Great news on your mask journey! I have two comments:

- You may want to squeeze a little vaseline into the joint to take the sweak away. Don't put too much, just a small-light film.
- You'll probably eventually do away with the ramp feature. It's usually a comfort thang', and one of the downfalls is that one has to re-adjust the mask when the set pressure is activated. Most folks, including myself, used the ramp feature to help adjust to cpap therapy, but eventually did away with it. For me, when the set pressure kicked in, it would wake me up.

Sheriff

I find the ramp feature a very good one actually. I first activate the CPAP for the full pressure and adjust the mask. I then press the ramp button, knowing that my mask can take the full pressure.
Initially, the full pressure seems too much, but when using the ramp, I don't feel it being too much when it reaches the desired pressure. I think it is partially a psychological thing and partially a big difference instead of gradual one.
Different people may have different preferences.

Of course you enjoy the ramp feature. That's why you use it and that's why it's offered. O boy, am I about to hear from the new members, but there have been some viscous threads on this. What will probably happen is you'll eventually do away with the ramp and you will know how tight the mask needs to be without an air test. I would hope you will also get to that point. My head gear is constantly stretching out and I probably have to tighten the straps at least a half a dozen times throughout the life of the headgear. I was just tryin' to advise "justa" on his issues. We do indeed all have our preference and helping justa was my intention. Standown.

Sheriff