What is the difference

I am using a Respironics FF mask. It is new. I think it is about $50 on cpap.com. It is not too comfortable.

I am looking at the Resmed FF masks. They are pricey. What really makes them "better"? The Respironics looks exactly the same and the Resmed ones.

My DME is not returning my calls (I use Medicare). So I guess I will have to just purchase the new mask, with the return insurance.

Hey, what do you know? Another South Carolinian on the boards!

I use the Resmed Mirage Activa, which is a nasal mask. I don't have any experience with their FF masks. But my experience with the Activa has been positive. Their masks are well made and relatively easy to maintain. Generally, they seem to be pretty good at maintaining a seal and not leaking as much. Good luck in your mask search!

The main reason for the difference in price is an action that Resmed put into place when they raised their prices for online DME's.

It happened over the last year.

My impression of the two is that ResMed masks "feel" more solid, but that's all subjective and of course, being that you're supposed to replace them every 6 months anyway, not really important.

Basically ResMed bumped their prices up for online vendors. Because something costs more doesn't always make it better, but if a ResMed mask happens to be the one for you, then go for it.

ResMed tends to incorporate more features that attempt to reduce leak, like the cushion in the Activa and Quattro, but really, you've just got to try masks to know if they'll work.

Did Resmed really raise their prices to the DMEs? It was my understanding that they just set a minimum retail price that their products could be sold for and those who sold under that suggested retail price risked losing their access to Resmed xPAPs (perhaps all Resmed products) for resale.

The US Supreme Court w/in the last 2-3 months just upheld manufacturers right to set minimum retail prices on their products.

I've never tried the Respironics FFM, but I have tried the Resmed, and Fisher Paykel ones. Last night was also my 1st night with the Hybrid. Of them all, I'm leaning towards the Hybrid. My DME coordinator found a DME that stocks either the Hybrid or Liberty and is getting them to send one to me. Don't know yet which one it is. I like the Resmed masks better. With the dual wall cushion they seal better to my face - and I have an extremely oily face so masks tend to slide off by the end of the night. I tried the Hybrid because I had used a Swift and liked the freedom it gave but was unable to keep my big mouth shut

It's a little like looking for a new cell phone carrier -- there are so many choices out there and they can be so confusing. Sometimes you get to "try before you buy" but for the most part, once you've decided you're stuck for a periof of time

Best of luck. Hopefully you can get a DME to call you back - if not, find a different one! One where you can try on the masks and check out your options. My sleep center actually loaned me the Hybrid for a 2 week period. I'll definitely know within that time if it's for me or not!!!

L

fredpb wrote:I am using a Respironics FF mask. It is new. I think it is about $50 on cpap.com. It is not too comfortable.

I am looking at the Resmed FF masks. They are pricey. What really makes them "better"? The Respironics looks exactly the same and the Resmed ones.

My DME is not returning my calls (I use Medicare). So I guess I will have to just purchase the new mask, with the return insurance.

Fred,

The big difference in the ResMed masks is that the parts are replaceable if they break or wear out......in particular, the seals. In the Respironics Comfortfull 2 mask, the seal is part of the mask itself. In the Ultra Mirage Full Face and Quattro, the cushion/seal is held in place by a "cushion clip" and can be removed to clean or replace. The replacement cushions are about a fourth of the price of the mask, so it's more cost effective to replace that part then to replace the whole mask. Same thing with the rest of the parts. They're also very sturdy and well-built masks. (as much as I hate to say that about ResMed)

The UMFF and the Quattro are also a lot more comfortable (in my opinion) than the Comfortfull 2 as the cushions are much softer (especially on the Quattro). When I tried the Comfortfull 2, the seal area below my lip was very uncomfortable on my chin and gums. In fact, three nights was all I could handle with that one.
I imagine that a person would never wear out the seal on a Comfortfull 2 because they'd never be able to wear it that long.

In reality, they're all overpriced compared to their (presumed) manufacturing costs, but then everybody's trying to get rich off of this therapy.

If you do get one, I also advise never taking it apart to clean it. Too many people posting on the forum have reported problems getting them back together properly. In the 2 1/2 years with my first UMFF, I've only had the cushion off twice.....once was by accident when the clip popped off......and the rest of the mask has never been disassembled. (I'm not THAT curious as to my abilities to get it back together)

Hope this helps.

Den