Need FF mask suggestions.

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
ractar28
Posts: 222
Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:06 pm

Need FF mask suggestions.

Post by ractar28 » Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:05 pm

Okay, I want a FF mask, but it's to stop mouth leaks, not to become a "mouth breather".

I tried the Comfortfull 2, but it wants my mouth to be slightly open, even the fitting instructions call for opening the mouth. I don't sleep with my mouth open, and holding my mouth open feels "unnatural". If I leave my mouth hanging open, it seals pretty well, but as soon as I close my mouth, it leaks right under the strap connections on the bottom. It's a large but TOO BIG -- goes up near my eyebrows, but the medium and large appear to be the same except for height, so I don't think a medium would change the leak area.

I've tried the Comforgel NASAL mask and I loved the idea, but there just isn't enough gel cushioning below the nose. I get leaks. Size medium.

I've got the Universal Hybrid but for some reason, I cannot get a good SOLID nasal seal. The nasal pillows leak right around the front middle. I've tried all three sets of nasal pillows and adjusting the height. It's almost like the skin between my nares isn't "thick enough" and the pillows seem to push each other aside. Size medium mouth, large nasal.

The best mask thus far for me is a Ultra Mirage 2 NASAL mask, but of course, it doesn't stop mouth leaks. It's a "shallow". The large is too big.

Masks of interest:

1. Comfortgel full face -- not sure about the amount of gel though, but the point of contact shouldn't be as sensitive either.
2. Ultra Mirage FF.
3. F&P 432
4. Quattro

Remembering that I'm a SHALLOW, and otherwise a medium, can anyone make comments on any of these masks?

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KengEsq
Posts: 226
Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 12:33 pm
Location: Northeast USA

Re: Need FF mask suggestions.

Post by KengEsq » Tue Nov 04, 2008 1:11 pm

I've tried the following masks with the results indicated:
1. ResMed Mirage Liberty - leaks and caused severe pain between my upper lip and nose.
2. ResMed Mirage Quattro - leaks and caused an open sore on the bridge of my nose in just a few days.
3. I put the Responics ComfortFull 2 on at my provider's offices and wore it for about 10 minutes when it becan to hurt and irratate the bridge of my nose in the exact same place as the Quattro did.
4. Fisher & Paykel Oracle 452 - neat mask if all you want to do is breathe from your mouth, can stand nose pillows, snoring and a disgusting morning removing it and spitting out loads of crap. I could even wear it without straps (they are optional) and tried it without blocking my nose (also optional). It made my mouth very dry even with my humidifier set on high even after I added an insulated covering on my hose to prevent a build-up of condensation making it like breathing under water. In a few days it caused sores inside my mouth so I had to discontinue it. I also did not get good AHI. AI and HI results but there was no leak to speek of (0.02 L/s). I have not tried the 432 Full-face mask.
5. Probasics Zzz-Mask (full-face) - so far using it for 15 nights, few leaks, no pain or soreness, easy to clean but the straps are of poor quality and need to be adjusted every night when putting it on (they stretch and as of yet have not fully stretched out). In fact, I have switched to using the straps that came with my Quattro mask and they work better but I still have to adjust them nightly because there is no way to remove them to wash the mask without changing the adjustment. Best leak, AHI, AI and Hi numbers yet but still not where I would like them to be.
I am going to give the Innomed Hybrid a try just to see if it is any better than the Zzz-Mask but I have doubts I will find a better mask than the Zzz-Mask,

RipVW
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Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:29 pm
Location: USA
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Re: Need FF mask suggestions.

Post by RipVW » Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:30 pm

I've tried lots of masks, lots of FF masks. The Ultra Mirage FFM is my favorite, the one I use almost exclusively now. Good luck!
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