Why do some people hate full face masks?

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chunkyfrog
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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by chunkyfrog » Sun Jan 23, 2022 6:33 pm

I don't hate them.
It's just that none of them FIT.
Three sizes for a million different faces.
Our feet are treated better; and lots of shoes are not as pricey as masks.

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zonker
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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by zonker » Sun Jan 23, 2022 6:40 pm

Jlfinkels wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:28 pm
I used a FFM for months, then when I grew my beard out I had issues with leaks and didn’t want to futz with it, so switched to nasal pillows. It’s all a matter of preference and comfort, but I would happily switch back if I chose to do so. I don’t need another religion, I get enough guilt from the one I have.
it's down to the beard for me, too. though when i started cpap therapy, i already had a beard. i TRIED ffm and even nasal, but found the leak rate intolerable.

tried p10 and have never looked back.

now, having said THAT, i fully realize in order for the nasal pillow to work for me, i have to wear extra stuff on my melon. and i get it that there are people who wouldn't put up with scuncis, firm foam collar or the bands i wear. but i'm not asking them to.

this works for me, just as the op and his ffm work for him.
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
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zonker
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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by zonker » Sun Jan 23, 2022 6:42 pm

Pugsy wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:36 pm
Why do some people think that because they like something everyone else in the whole world should feel like they do about it and we, who don't like what they like, are the crazy ones who have something wrong with us or we just aren't trying hard enough?
on another(non-cpap) forum i haunt, this is called "stop liking things that *I* hate!". and it is meant sarcastically.
people say i'm self absorbed.
but that's enough about them.
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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by Pugsy » Sun Jan 23, 2022 6:55 pm

zonker wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 6:42 pm
Pugsy wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:36 pm
Why do some people think that because they like something everyone else in the whole world should feel like they do about it and we, who don't like what they like, are the crazy ones who have something wrong with us or we just aren't trying hard enough?
on another(non-cpap) forum i haunt, this is called "stop liking things that *I* hate!". and it is meant sarcastically.
:lol: :lol:

I always have said that "want to or don't want to" is a good enough reason for doing or not doing just about anything.
And last I heard there was no law that said I had to give some DA a reason why I don't want to.
I have several reasons why I don't want to use a FFM but the main one and probably most important reason
"I DON'T WANT TO" and that's a damn good reason in my book.

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by Janknitz » Sun Jan 23, 2022 8:04 pm

I think EMTs use full face masks on patients in ambulances. But they probably use more pressure too, that people would find uncomfortable long term.
Ambulances and hospitals generally use a "one size fits nobody" molded plastic oxygen face mask (there are probably sizes for children and babies, too) held on with one or two elastic straps that provide the pressure to hold the mask against the face--it's not the same CPAP pressure which splints open the airway. These are inexpensive, disposable, very short term use masks, used only for the length of an ambulance ride, an ER visit, or--my experience with them was during labor and delivery when sensors showed the baby's oxygen levels starting to drop. It was uncomfortable from the moment it was put on as the hard plastic dug into my face. The "pressure" is simply to hold the mask to the face, not to splint the airway open, and the hospital will generally switch you to a nasal canula once there is time to organize that if you need oxygen supplementation for much longer than a delivery or ER assessment. They do use CPAP and BIPAP for airway maintenance in some ambulances and hospitals, but that's not the same as oxygen delivery (although they can be combined).

Full face masks have to seal against a large amount of surface area compared to nasal masks, nasal pillow masks, and nasal cradle masks. Not only is the surface area an issue, but it's not static surface area. There's a lot of movement in your face around the mouth and nose, though not very much movement directly around your nares. That's why it's so hard to get a good seal on a FF mask for many people, and even once you get a good seal, a facial movement (e.g. a swallow or your jaw relaxing when you fall asleep) can blow that good seal. Not to mention we don't sleep in a static position--what works when you fall asleep in one position may be thrown out of kilter when you change positions in your sleep. Masks which have to seal only a smaller surface area are less prone to lose contact from small facial movements or large body movements.

In addition, many full face masks seal around the top of the nose, an area with no fat or muscle padding, just cartilage covered by skin that is very sensitive to pressure. People experience pain and ulcerations on their nose when the mask isn't fit well.

When I wear a full face mask I tend to really tighten the lower straps so that the upper air cushion can get a good seal around the top of my narrow nose, and that caused my already receded jaw to be pushed back even more. Over a period of sleeping on my right side with a FF mask for a few years, it also shifted my teeth a mm or two, just enough to cause a gap between two lower teeth that catches food and is annoying as hell.

I still appreciate a FF mask if I'm having allergies or a cold, but I've never gotten that perfect seal 100% of the time. With a nasal pillow or cradle mask I sleep really well and I regularly have a treated AHI of 0.2 to 0.4, because leaks are easily managed.
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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by babydinosnoreless » Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:59 am

Wulfman... wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:24 pm



I've seen people who claim that a full face mask makes them claustrophobic.......but then they end up using chin straps and taping their mouths shut.......so much for claustrophobia. :shock:

So, enjoy your success and stick with what works best for you.
The equipment and settings we use is/are very individualistic and the users need to find out what works best for THEM.


Den

.
I don't think you quite understand claustrophobia. For me its a sight thing. I managed to sleep a little with my eyes closed when I had my sleep test but the second I woke up I started panicking. The N-20 gives me an open line of site. I could, I think, tape my mouth but thankfully I don't need to. Note I also don't sleep with the bedroom all the way dark because completely dark would also trigger the freak out. I'm not explaining this well but if you don't have claustrophobia there is really no way to describe it.

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by Dog Slobber » Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:07 pm

babydinosnoreless wrote:
Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:59 am
Wulfman... wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:24 pm
I've seen people who claim that a full face mask makes them claustrophobic.......but then they end up using chin straps and taping their mouths shut.......so much for claustrophobia. :shock:

[.snip]

Den
I don't think you quite understand claustrophobia. For me its a sight thing. I managed to sleep a little with my eyes closed when I had my sleep test but the second I woke up I started panicking. The N-20 gives me an open line of site. I could, I think, tape my mouth but thankfully I don't need to. Note I also don't sleep with the bedroom all the way dark because completely dark would also trigger the freak out. I'm not explaining this well but if you don't have claustrophobia there is really no way to describe it.
Of course he doesn't understand claustrophobia. His comparison of a full face mask to a chin strap is asinine.

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by chunkyfrog » Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:37 pm

Some folks are just not "into" bondage . . .

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by LSAT » Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:51 pm

loggerhead12 wrote:
Sun Jan 23, 2022 3:49 pm
Ugh. Full face masks are the last resort for people who can't get anything nasal to work.
1st choice for me...Ever since my sleep study 14 years ago. Tried nasal and pillow and hated them both.

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by RogerSC » Mon Jan 24, 2022 3:52 pm

Didn't bother with full face masks until several years downstream. I have a beard, and nasal pillows worked well for me, no taping or chin straps. However, I decided that I needed to have a backup FFM for times when I had a cold or other nasal problem. Couldn't find one that sealed well enough with my beard, including memory foam cushions, liners, etc. At the moment, I'm using a nasal mask since I had to have Mohs surgery a few years ago that nuked the symmetry of my nose. So nasal pillows are out. I find the Dreamwear nasal cpap mask works well for me...don't hate any masks, just use the ones that work for me *smile*.

I find that my beard also affects how coronavirus face masks fit as well...really can't use the KN95 or N95 style masks, they don't seal well enough. However, found some level 3 "(non) - surgical" masks that seal well enough and are comfortable.

Darn beard, can't give it up (theme song from Brokeback Mountain playing in background) *smile*.
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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by babydinosnoreless » Mon Jan 24, 2022 7:33 pm

chunkyfrog wrote:
Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:37 pm
Some folks are just not "into" bondage . . .
:lol: :lol:

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by nangiggles » Thu Jan 27, 2022 2:18 am

A beard is absolutely the reason my husband wears a nasal. I myself started FF but had quite a bit of fit/leak issues. I moved to nasal and it felt much better to not have as much pressure and stuff on my face. I'm a mouth breather with a deviated septum, so I never thought I'd like it but I did.
Now I've moved to a ridiculously dry city and not even humidifiers can save my poor nostrils. That paired with some light TMJ has me reconsidering FF masks again. I buy my own stuff and haven't changed in years, don't even know where to start.
Currently eyeballing the mirage quattro, ultra from, airfit f10, f20 and f30 or air touch series. *Sigh*

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by snoozysue » Sun Jan 30, 2022 2:28 am

I have used a Quattro FFM mask for over 10 years. I did try others in the early days but none worked as well for me as the Quattro so I just kept using what worked.
A few weeks ago I bought a F&P Evora FFM (available now in Australia) and it is working unbeliveably well. I never thought I would use another mask but I am hooked!

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by LSAT » Sun Jan 30, 2022 6:16 pm

snoozysue wrote:
Sun Jan 30, 2022 2:28 am
I have used a Quattro FFM mask for over 10 years. I did try others in the early days but none worked as well for me as the Quattro so I just kept using what worked.
A few weeks ago I bought a F&P Evora FFM (available now in Australia) and it is working unbeliveably well. I never thought I would use another mask but I am hooked!
I may try the Evora when it becomes available here. I really like the F&P masks. I have been using the Vitera and the Simplus for several years. Prior to that I used the Quattro for about 8.

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Re: Why do some people hate full face masks?

Post by FatBruno » Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:45 pm

I just started my CPAP therapy a week ago, and I already hate the full face mask.
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