where to begin with FFM

[ldyjane1]

I have been using the Swift FX pillows now for over a year. I like them a lot but, I'm a mouth breather. So to solve this problem I have done the taping thing each night. I don't like this practice and feel this is not a good thing long term. So I have resigned myself to the fact that I need a FFM. But my problem is how to decide? I don't have a supportive DME (lincare.. nuf said) and so I can not try any styles on or get the help of someone in person. I don't really want to buy and return masks or not return and lose money trying to find the perfect mask for me. So any advise would be sooo appreicated on how I should proceed. thank you

[jencat824]

First, welcome. It would help us to help you best if you could register, please. After you register, go to the User Control Panel at the upper left corner & enter your machine, humidifier & mask info. Also put your pressure in your signature line. This info will keep us all on the same page & not having to ask repeatedly what your info is.

As for the FFM, I don't use one, so I'm not much help there, my hubby uses a FFM & he has been thru quite a few. The most popular among forum members is the Quattro FX, there is also a Quattro Air, which is very different. You could go to cpap.com & browse the FFM section, there are lots of options, & you might have an idea of the type of mask you want. Even if you don't that is a great reference point to start.

Good luck,
Jen

[dinycat]

After trying a FF mask that was way too large, I was fitted with the Resmed Quattro Air for Her. It's much, much lighter and smaller. It only has four parts, so it's easy to disassemble and clean. It's working for me.

dinycat

[Janknitz]

If you go on the manufacturer's websites, they have fitting templates you can cut out and try to your face, which may help with the fitting.

I have a preference for air cushion FF masks. I found that the foam cushion masks had to be tightened down a lot and were less forgiving in terms of adjustments for leaks. They are also pretty heavy.

I use a mirage quattro and mostly like it, but it is tricky for leaks--all FF masks are because there's a lot of surface area the cushion has to seal. I highly recommend a mask liner (love Padacheeks!) and I have a blogpost called "Taming the Mirage Quattro" which will help with any air cushion type mask. The trick is to learn NOT to crank it down on your face, but to let the cushion fill with air so that it can seal itself. That means it MUST be fit with the machine on, laying down. A fitting in a DME office without the machine and sitting or standing is not going to be very useful.

[TangledHose]

I think you'll find that the Mirage Quattro is somewhat the gold standard in the FFM world ......most masks get compared to that mask. I used one for years and it worked well for me except sometimes if my head was in a bad position it would hurt the bridge of my nose. I tried the newer Quattro Air and didn't like it as well as my old Mirage Quattro, of course there are those that like it better. But after trying a couple of the newer generation masks I decided to give the new F&P Simplus a try and I really liked it because the silicone cushion was much wider in the bridge of the nose area so it never hurts my nose and for my face it leaks less as well. As a starting point you could try the Mirage Quattro as it is considered to be a very popular FFM -- hopefully you can try a few others to compare. One thing to consider is paying a few extra bucks to get return insurance so that if you get a mask and dont like it you can return it .....CPAP dot com offers return insurance on most all, if not all their masks.

Be sure and follow the previous posters advice about not making the mask of this type too tight .....you need to let the cushion inflate to get a good seal. Also be sure and use the sizing templates that you can find online so you get the right size. My first Mirage Quattro that my numbskull DME fitted me with was too big, he just assumed that since I was a large male I should have a large size mask and that turned out to be a poor assumption resulting in too many leaks until I discovered on my own using templates that I should be using a size medium..... leaks solved...... bottom line is a proper fit is mandatory with a FFM.