full face mask question

Has anyone had better luck with the Mirage ff mask Series 2 than with the Ultra Mirage ff mask in terms of fit and leaks?

I am using the Ultra Mirage ff mask, medium/shallow, but still have leaks, especially around the eyes. I understand that the Ultra is supposed to be an improved version of the Series 2, but I wonder if the older model works better for some.

Any suggestions will be appreciated

Plangster:
Amazing you should post this topic today--I was contemplating posting myself...

I was a ResMed FF Series II user for 18+ months, and changed last month to the Ultra Mirage FF, hoping to reduce leakage I was getting into my eyes. Well, after a month of the UltraMirage, I went back to the Series II last night!!

Here are my issues: My pressure (now on APAP, running 12/18 with avg 16.9-17.4) is much higher than initially titrated (11) and mask leakage has become a BIG issue for me. While I can get the Ultra tight enough to not leak when pressure is in the 17-18 range, if I turn on my side, I get almost instant leakage from the edge of the mask. Needless to say, my sleep has been constantly interrupted by needing to adjust position/mask/etc. YES, I wash my face and clean the mask cushion EVERY NIGHT (this DOES make a difference, but doesn't stop all leaks) and I fitted the mask according to the directions on the CD.

One of the things CPAP.COM mentioned when I ordered the replacement mask was that when the mask cushion gets old, leaks increase. Since my old Series II was about 7 months old, they thought my leakage could be due to the cushion. I ordered the "New and improved" Ultra anyway.

SO.... last night I took the new cushion from the Ultra, slapped it into my Series II (yes, they are interchangeable), traded the exhaust port cover (my original cover didn't whistle--every one since whistles, so I keep using the same original exhaust cover) and SLEPT last night! Even on my side(s)--with minimal increase in leak rate (and an AHI of 2.9!!)

Now, what do I like about the Ultra? The quick-connect straps--being able to "buckle" in without having to change the strap length. The Series II requires me to undo a strap and reattach it to get the mask on/off. I have a hard time remembering which line drawn on the strap is the "right" one to align with the strap end.

When I examined both masks, the difference is the placement of the forehead rest/pad--on the Series II it is about an inch closer to the nose. I think this changes the vector of the forces applied thru the top straps, keeping the upper portion of the mask seated--especially when a lateral force (lying on your side) is applied.

This led me to consider, "can I adapt the quick-connect strap to the Series II headgear?" making a hybrid "Ultra-Series III"?? The answer: NO! But I'm working at a "fix"!!

Sorry for the long response...
Grant

Thank you for your thoughtful reply! You address some of the issues I was wondering about relative to the series II compared with the ultra mirage ff mask. I think it will be worthwhile to try the series II, since I have nothing to lose but more money in the CPAP Mask Lotterry.

Basically, this is a game of trial and error, isn't it?

plangster

Grant - I noticed something with the Ultra Mirage FF. My pressure avg around 13-14. Since I switched to the Aura, I am around 10-11 avg. The only thing that could possibly account for that is the Remstar Auto doesn't deal with the dead space or leak rate of the Ultra Mirage FF as well.

Mike,
What were your leak rates with the Ultra? I've been averaging 55-60 at your pressure levels of 13-14. Might it be a leak issue, or both?

I'm looking forward to another EASY night...

Grant

That is about what I got for leak avg. If you look at the graph from the mask (in the booklet that came with it) it shows the leak rate.