Need advice on mask comfort

[caedenspa]

I'm only three nights in to sleeping with a machine (man, that could be taken the wrong way... hope my wife doesn't read this!). I know I'm still adjusting, but I need some help with making the mask more comfortable.

When I go to bed, everything is fine, and comfy cozy even. But by morning I have huge marks on my forehead from the pad/bar thing, and where it rests is tender.

Any advice?

[Pugsy]

If you like the mask well enough otherwise you might look at Padacheek liners and strap & forehead covers.
http://www.padacheek.com/

Also make sure you watch the fitting videos for your mask because it sounds like you may have the mask too tight.
Have you read Janknitz hints on fitting? Works on any mask that needs to inflate to seal.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

Want to try something else? Check with your DME about mask swapping policy and use it to try something else.
Often it is 30 days (they make their own rules despite the mask manufacturers offering 30 day PER mask).
Don't spend all of your time struggling with one mask when you could maybe try something else. You can always go back to first choice if need be.

[caedenspa]

I don't know enough to know if I like the mask or not. It's perfectly comfortable when I fall asleep, no major leaks or anything, but not comfortable at all by morning. I am a mouth breather, so I need full-face. It was the only full-face that felt decent.

I asked about trying out other masks, and was told that the insurance company will only let me do it every 90 days. I'm never going to hit my deductible (hopefully - if I do then something major has happened!), so I'm pretty much out of pocket anyway. So I'm thinking of going direct to cpap.com or someplace and buying something else on my own. I like the idea of something like the Hybrid or Liberty, but I have a beard. The beard doesn't conflict with the current mask, so do you think it would be okay with a Liberty?

[Denial Dave]

Consider downloading sleepyhead software and seeing how your therapy is working.

Pad--a-cheek liners work awesome for comfort with my Quattro.... and they solve leaks too


Also, please read this blog for tips on wearing the Quattro

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

[Pugsy]

Well....at appears that your DME doesn't have any mask swapping policy at all. Shame on them. And they are blaming it all on the insurance company when it's entirely their rules that they have come up with.
They are too lazy to do the paperwork from the mask manufacturers for getting credit when a cpap user tries a mask and it doesn't work out.
Yes, your insurance only pays for one per whatever replacement schedule but mask manufacturers all offer 30 days PER mask and if a patient doesn't like it all the DME has to do is fill out a bit of paperwork and they give the patient a different mask and they get their money/credit on the second mask from the mask manufacturer of the first mask.
This can happen multiple times if the DME has a generous mask swapping policy. Most limit it to 30 days though.
I know you probably won't be using that DME much but I would be really mad about them blaming it on insurance when they have the power to do mask swapping if they just weren't so lazy.....but I would take my mask business elsewhere...just for spite. I would find some place else to use my insurance mask allowance at.

That said. About the hybrid mask....either the ResMed Liberty or the RespCare/Innomed Hybrid.
I would suggest the Innomed/ResCare if you are going to be looking at the hybrid type. It comes with all sizes of cushions where the Liberty you have to decide ahead of time which size....plus the Innomed is cheaper.
Do consider the mask return insurance...I know it's pricey but that way you don't lose all your money if you end up hating it. People do offer failed experiments for sale but you won't get anything near what you paid for it.
Do check out the various full face masks...some of the newer masks have free return insurance with them...so doesn't cost anything. Cpap.com even sends you an email with a downloadable printable prepaid shipping label as part of the return insurance.

To check out cost of insurance or if it is free....just click on "customize and buy"
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html
Ouch...insurance is almost $54...
The Liberty is around $38 for insurance but the mask costs $207 to start with vs $116 for the Innomed.

and this full face mask has free return insurance
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... dgear.html

The facial hair thing...I will let others with beards and such advise on which might work best. I think it depends on length and general condition (soft or bristly).

If you end up trying the Hybrid you want to read this
wiki/index.php/Hybrid_Mask_Modifications

To get an idea if a liner might help with current mask...take an old T shirt and cut it up and make your own.

[caedenspa]

I do have the software.

Thanks for the link to the fitting blog. That looks like it may help a LOT.

[Bignate76]

As everyone has said.. Shame the DME isn't playing nice.

I picked up my equipment Oct 30th. The mask I got sent home with was adequate (ResMed Mirage FX), but I wasn't getting a good seal along the bridge of my nose. I also hated having to take it off to put on my glasses. Swapped it out this morning for an Airfit P10 and I am very excited. Just had to turn in the first mask.

Maybe threaten the DME with taking your needs elsewhere to be filled if they don't work with you. Might convince them to honor the 30 day swap. After all... the real money is in the consumables that get replaced throughout the year(s).. not the machine.

[tortoisegirl]

If you have a high deductible and little chance of meeting it, then you are likely better off price-wise going online, especially considering your DME's policy. I'd start with the CPAP.com masks with free return insurance first, then move on to others. Its quite a great thing they offer as you are literally out $0 if you don't like it (as the shipping is free for masks due to the cost, and return shipping is free with the return insurance). Like mentioned above, the Airfit F10 has free return insurance, plus it is the currently most popular FFM (very lightweight and doesn't even have a forehead support).

I'm surprised you were even fit with the Quattro, unless some of the newer ones like the F10 didn't work, as its a couple generations old (although it works well for some folks). Or maybe your sleep clinic had the Quattro for your study and your prescription was wrote for that, so the DME didn't bother to try other masks on you? If so, shame on them again.

You may also want to try nasal pillows if you haven't already, even if you have congestion issues or mouth breathe or whatever, as some folks can work through those issues and then end up with a much easier mask to deal with (plus its significantly cheaper for the mask & replacement pillows). Good luck! It can take time to find the right mask, but its worth it. Best wishes.