Nasal Mask Goal

I am currently deciding between the x30i and the f30i.

However my goal is to be able to 'graduate' to a nasal mask only!

The issue is trying to discern if I'm breathing via my nose while I'm sleeping.

Because I'm a newbie, I'm not sure how to be able to know if I'm 'ready' for the nasal mask?

Why do you think a nasal mask is an upgrade from a full face mask? You don't graduate from one to another. There is no advantage to be using one or another. Personally I tried a nasal mask 17 years ago and I hated it. I have been happily using a full face mask with no concerns.

LSAT wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 1:28 pm

Why do you think a nasal mask is an upgrade from a full face mask? You don't graduate from one to another. There is no advantage to be using one or another. Personally I tried a nasal mask 17 years ago and I hated it. I have been happily using a full face mask with no concerns.

Because I'm a side sleeper and I started out with an F20 full mask and it was horrible!! I am currently using an f30i and it's night and day. I am looking at the simplicity and cumberlessness of the nasal mask and it looks very appealing but won't work with anyone who breathes through their mouth at any tiime during their sleep!

To your post reply, 'different strokes'.

JackieLee wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 2:23 pm

the nasal mask and it looks very appealing but won't work with anyone who breathes through their mouth at any time during their sleep!

Actually it all depends on how much time is spent in mouth breathing and a person can maybe get by with a nasal mask if they don't spend a whole lot of time in a big leak out the mouth.

I have been on cpap since 2009 and I absolutely hate full face masks of any kind so I simply never got one or used one.
Only nasal pillows of some sort in all these years. And yes...sometimes I see evidence on the reports of big leaks which might be mouth breathing or mask movement but it's never very prolonged and sometimes doesn't even make it to large leak territory.....so I shrug my shoulders and move on.

That leak line doesn't have to be perfect all night long. The machine can compensate for a good bit of leak from any reason.
Besides it not like full face masks never leak.

JackieLee wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 2:23 pm

I am looking at the simplicity and cumberlessness of the nasal mask and it looks very appealing but won't work with anyone who breathes through their mouth at any tiime during their sleep!

i'm a mouth breather and use a nasal mask. i'm a full bearded fellow and after about forty years of keeping it (save for one time when i was in my early 20's and wanted to see what i looked like without it. i quickly went back to not shaving!) i didn't want to hack it off for a full face mask. besides i figure less real estate of the mask, less leaks, right?

i forgot about my pie hole, which naturally opens during sleep. i spent the next several years trying to correct for that. you may not like all the gear i wear just for the privilege of using a nasal mask, but it suits me.

my ahi, btw, is consistently under one and some nights, it's zero.

your milage may vary.

zonker wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 5:30 pm

JackieLee wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 2:23 pm

I am looking at the simplicity and cumberlessness of the nasal mask and it looks very appealing but won't work with anyone who breathes through their mouth at any tiime during their sleep!

i'm a mouth breather and use a nasal mask. i'm a full bearded fellow and after about forty years of keeping it (save for one time when i was in my early 20's and wanted to see what i looked like without it. i quickly went back to not shaving!) i didn't want to hack it off for a full face mask. besides i figure less real estate of the mask, less leaks, right?

i forgot about my pie hole, which naturally opens during sleep. i spent the next several years trying to correct for that. you may not like all the gear i wear just for the privilege of using a nasal mask, but it suits me.

my ahi, btw, is consistently under one and some nights, it's zero.

your milage may vary.

So you are a mouth breather and use the nasal mask without tape and your AHI is still well under 5? WOW!!

JackieLee wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 5:42 pm

So you are a mouth breather and use the nasal mask without tape and your AHI is still well under 5? WOW!!

you missed this part-

"i forgot about my pie hole, which naturally opens during sleep. i spent the next several years trying to correct for that. you may not like all the gear i wear just for the privilege of using a nasal mask, but it suits me."

[/quote]

"i forgot about my pie hole, which naturally opens during sleep. i spent the next several years trying to correct for that. you may not like all the gear i wear just for the privilege of using a nasal mask, but it suits me."
[/quote]

So, you know I have to ask, what gear do you speak of?

JackieLee wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 6:54 pm

So, you know I have to ask, what gear do you speak of?

jeeze i didn't realize the photo would be so big!

this is an old one but shows my basic set up. instead of that scunci and band, i use wonder wrap. also, because of the shape of my mouth, i use a dental type device. i also use dental wax to cover the gap between upper and lower front teeth. it takes me about 15 minutes to put all this on and turn out the lights.

Holy Cow Zonker! That’s some serious gear for sure!!!

JackieLee wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 07, 2026 7:58 pm

Holy Cow Zonker! That’s some serious gear for sure!!!

indeed. i AM a stubborn man.

forgot to add that i use denture adhesive to keep my lips from parting and i use a fanny pack to keep me from rolling on to my back.