Full Face Mask- Suggestions please?

LavenderMist,

I don't know if you already know this, but make sure when you try the masks, it's a good idea if you try them with a CPAP at the same pressure as you use. I use a pressure of 13.8 so a mask that is perfectly ok in the office without pressure can be a mess of leaks at full pressure.

Just an idea.

France

p.s. I love my Ultra Mirage Full Face, except that I'd rather not use a full face at all. I'm having a septoplasty tomorrow in the hopes that it will allow me to breathe enough to go back to my beloved Fisher & Paykel HC406.

I'd like to pose a different slant on the mask question -- which full-face masks have people had skin-reaction problems with (mini-zits and pressure sores on nose bridge and forehead), similar to what I experienced with the ComfortGel nose mask after just one night at the lab?

I had the zits-and-sores reaction after just the one night at the titration study, and again when I tried the ComfortGel mask at home a month later. (I know that particular mask works great for some people, so I'm not knocking it, but I'm trying to steer clear of the skin reaction as I look for a full-face mask to replace my OptiLife nasal mask... So if anyone else had a similar skin reaction with the ComfortGel and has found a full-face mask that didn't cause that, I'd love to hear which model.)

Thanks!
John

johntee wrote:I'd like to pose a different slant on the mask question -- which full-face masks have people had skin-reaction problems with (mini-zits and pressure sores on nose bridge and forehead), similar to what I experienced with the ComfortGel nose mask after just one night at the lab?

I had the zits-and-sores reaction after just the one night at the titration study,
.................

I had nearly identical problems. The Hybrid mask avoids these issues. I have been using one successfully for 12 months.

On the 3 masks that I have tried now they all did the mini zit thing but after a day or so, no problems they went away. Not all of them caused it in the same spots either.

Mark

rooster wrote:I had nearly identical problems. The Hybrid mask avoids these issues. I have been using one successfully for 12 months.

Oh, I could never get the Hybrid to stop leaking (although invisibly)... I tried every trick for about 2 weeks until I bought my OptiLife. I will probably sell my Hybrids -- I have two of them, one old shell/headgear and one new shell/headgear (used only part of one night) -- to finance my new mask purchase.

MRH wrote:On the 3 masks that I have tried now they all did the mini zit thing but after a day or so, no problems they went away. Not all of them caused it in the same spots either.
Mark

Hi Mark. For me, the mini-zit and pressure sores were so bad it took about 3 weeks for the marks from one night's use to fully disappear... And the sores got too painful for me to use it more than a couple of nights (even with padding). Didn't think I was that sensitive, but who knows?
John

John,

That's too bad about the leaking Hybrid. It has been a great mask for me since I get those bad pressure sores on the bridge of my nose from traditional FF masks.

I have a F&P 432 that I have used two or three times per week for one-hour naps. It causes that nose bridge irritation. Otherwise I like the mask so much that I slept with it an entire night last week. I had a horrible pressure sore the next morning.

So I picked out a Quattro at the DME because it appears to be very gentle on the nose bridge. I am waiting for my nose to heal completely before I try it.

You might want to search on Quattro and see what others are saying about it.

I switched over from Activa to Optilife a couple of months ago, and it has been great. However, I keep the F&P 432 handy just in case I have congestion... That occurred last night, and I had to put the 432 on... Uggghhh! I likewise always thought it felt comfortable enough in place, but man, the horrible sores on the bridge of my nose! Tried all manner of adjusting, padding , you name it without success. Also, after a couple of hours it starts "tooting" around the chin piece, and that wakes me up.

I'll just have to try the Hybrid or Liberty next I guess. Can't stand walking around with this huge ugly looking sore on my nose all day.

Meanwhile, most nights the Optilife is "my mask". Love it...

I had the same sore nose bridge problem with the 431. I only used it for two nights and after the second night I felt like I had been punched. I was really bummed, I had high hopes because the mask really fit well and was very comfortable...until morning.

I had a thread going a couple of days ago called "431 vs. 432". Some folks offered suggestions on how to defeat the sore nose problem. I haven't tried them yet. The sore on my nares healed and I'm back to using my Breeze.

TW

Chiming in re the sore nose bridge and zit problem. The FP 431 on the second night I used it was so bad it tore the skin off my nose bridge! And no matter how well I clean my face and mask I would always break out with little zits. Sometimes they would be so aggravating that they'd hurt all night long and I'd have to take my mask off in the middle of the night (I know - my bad!)

My skin is an oil slick waiting to happen anyway. But at least I don't have to worry about premature wrinkles . There should be a law though against acne after 21! Heck - I'm close to 50 and still getting zits albeit not very often.

I too like my hybrid because it relieves the problem of nose bridge sores. I'd love to be able to wear a Swift but there's no way I can stop my mouth breathing - and believe me I've tried!!!

The Hybrid FF mask is now my mask of choice. I have a problem with mouth breathing and mouth venting, which makes the therapy almost worthless during times when air is rushing out of my mouth. Yet, I prefer a minimalist nasal interface mask.

The Hybrid and Liberty appear very similar with headgear that is much different in feel. Though I'm sure their face seals do feel different due to the slight design differences of each.

Initially I had some problems with the Hybrid -- in large part I think it was my claustrophobia causing me to want to reject the mask. It took some conscious effort for me to tolerate and try to avoid removing. I find it to be much better for me than a FF mask that covers the nose.

IMHO, I don't think there is an ideal mask, not for me. But the Hybrid is as close as I have found -- and, thus far, has allowed me to avoid mouth taping, lip sealing or adding a chin strap... or a combination of those in addition to a mask.

But I still keep the Comfort Curve and OptiLife nasal pillow masks, as I do switch occasionally. And it's always good to have a backup mask that you are used to and know that you can tolerate.

Nodzy wrote:........
IMHO, I don't think there is an ideal mask, not for me. ..........

I know that feeling. I have become suspicious of friends who have told me they are perfectly comfortable with the mask on for sleeping. They must have a strong streak of masochism.

DeltaSeeker wrote:Chiming in re the sore nose bridge and zit problem. The FP 431 on the second night I used it was so bad it tore the skin off my nose bridge!

Exactly the problem I had plus the underlying cartilidge in my nose felt bruised. It took a couple of days to feel normal again.

DeltaSeeker wrote:My skin is an oil slick waiting to happen anyway. But at least I don't have to worry about premature wrinkles . There should be a law though against acne after 21! Heck - I'm close to 50 and still getting zits albeit not very often.

I hear ya. I'm in the same boat.

DeltaSeeker wrote:I too like my hybrid because it relieves the problem of nose bridge sores. I'd love to be able to wear a Swift but there's no way I can stop my mouth breathing - and believe me I've tried!!!!

I have a Hybrid that someone on the board gave to me. I really wanted it to work and tried many times. I just can't get it to stop leaking. I use a Breeze and tape my lips. It works pretty well most of the time. It's not perfect but it's the best I've come up with...so far. I only started looking into full face masks because I occasionally get a sore in one of my nares and can't tolerate the pillows for a couple of days and also because I'd like to get away from the tape if possible. The search continues...

TW

TWolf wrote:

DeltaSeeker wrote:Chiming in re the sore nose bridge and zit problem. The FP 431 on the second night I used it was so bad it tore the skin off my nose bridge!

Exactly the problem I had plus the underlying cartilidge in my nose felt bruised. It took a couple of days to feel normal again.

I have a Hybrid that someone on the board gave to me. I really wanted it to work and tried many times. I just can't get it to stop leaking. I use a Breeze and tape my lips. It works pretty well most of the time. It's not perfect but it's the best I've come up with...so far. I only started looking into full face masks because I occasionally get a sore in one of my nares and can't tolerate the pillows for a couple of days and also because I'd like to get away from the tape if possible. The search continues...

Oh yeah, forgot about that bruised feeling.

And damned if I didn't find a zit on my chin this morning from my Hybrid!

As for tape, I have an allergy to adhesives (and elastic too) which a nurse just told me is most likely a latex allergy, so tape is out. Even the "extra gentle" tape will leave marks for over a week (if not tear the skin off) after only being on for a matter of minutes!!! I had a stress test 3-4 weeks ago and the adhesive on the electrodes absolutely tore my skin to pieces!!! And did they REALLY have to SCRUB my skin with alcohol and an SOS pad prior to sticking them on me????? Nothing like REALLY being sure to give you the MOST discomfort possible! -- Oh wait - that's reserved for Mammograms

That is the very reason the Hybrid was so attractive to me. The bridge of my nose was scarred from the UMFF and a few others. My face would break out to where the skin would peel off around the zits. It was ugly.
No such problems since the Hybrid. I'm a happy camper.I look a lot better, too.

Tried the F&P 432 for the first time last night. The first thing I noticed is that the cushiony thing was pinching my nose something fierce. I saw where someone trimmed the foam, and I might give that a shot, but not until I'm certain I'm going to keep the mask. Anyway, once I removed the offending cushion, it fit like a glove. (I believe all I really did was create a 431, right?) My leak rate and AHI were really low this morning. I didn't wake up once....husband reports I slept "like a log." On the down side, I've got a 1/2" long sore next to my nose. I put some bacitracin on it, hoping it will clear up at least a little before bedtime. I really want to like this mask! So sick of taping!!