full face mask advice?

Well my coughing did end up being the flu. It is now at the point that I can't use my swift nasal mask because for now I can't breathe through my nose. My dme said "all full face masks are awful" YIKES. Please tell me your exp if you have one you like, how you got used to it and what to avoid. Thanks, Terry

Your DME should be reported to whoever is in charge - even if it's the mask manufacturers that think he's selling their stuff!!!! The masks may be 'more' to deal with at first, like getting used to anything new, but I wouldn't be without mine (x 5+ yrs) now for anything and when I ever do (1-2/yr) try on an old nasal-only mask now, I feel naked. What is wrong with those people!

Anyhow, mine's an UltraMirage FF, very popular, and there are lots of others, but other favorites seem to be the Quattro, Hybrid, Liberty and ... others (look on Cpap.com under masks/full face for more info. and reviews).

Well despite the fact that a nasal pillow mask has been the single solution for optimizing my therapy, I have felt forced to find a FFM, ever since the manufacturing quality failure of the ResMed Mirage Swift LT. I have found that although my FFM's are carefully adjusted to the "loosest" they can be without producing leaks through the night, (I have had to be satisfied with about 80-90% of the night at the zero leakage rate)--I still get higher AHI numbers and look absolutely like a Mack truck ran over my face for 4-5 hours after getting up. Co-workers look at me in shock and alarm due to the huge bags under my red eyes....and I have tried everything from continuous very-hot washcloths on the marks when I get up, to using ice packs against the bags all the way to work. The Hybrid does not give me such huge bags or red eyes, but I have never found a good enough fit. Some here find each of these masks to be their ideal! So you just have to take some chances and try them out to fit your own face.

Sorry. Not meaning to be Debby Downer here, but if you expect the worst, maybe it will turn out lots better for you....or maybe you can just muddle through, knowing it's just a back-up solution for now, as I have done. I am currently using a trial Mirage Quattro, and getting better therapy than I did with the Ultra Mirage FFM, either Shallow or Standard. The Quattro is comfortable and has a great knob-adjustment for the nose bridge (as do the UMFFM's), so that I have never had any problem with soreness there. But no FFM has been as good as any of the nasal pillow masks with mouth-taping for me. Just a temporary necessity at times.

I understand re the swift LT. Unless the straps are pulled so tight that they force the nasal pillows are snug against your nose, there are too many leaks. If the straps are used in this way the top of my head actually hurts. I've tried padding it w/cotton, etc....but the pressure on my head just plain hurts. Feels almost like a migraine.
I did have a "honeymoon" period where I like it compared to what I'd been using before but the pain at the top of my head changed that.

It will be good to have a backup. I appreciated my dme's candor. I don't want to be sold something that is going to be difficult to adjust to. He was just trying to be helpful. T

I don't care for full-face masks because they make me claustrophobic. However, I'm intensely grateful for the zzz-mask, full face, which I own for just such times as yours... when I'm snuffling, sneezing, and coughing and can't use either my beloved CL2 or my Headrest.

If anyone told me 14 months ago that I wouldn't want to be without my machine, I'd've said they were nuts.

Now I know better. Good luck getting a mask you can use for this... I find the warm moist air helps my nasal passages and the coughing.

I've found that the FlexiFit 431A FFM is best for me. Its the lightest one I've used and easiest to place my chin in.

I have very good results with the Hybrid and can recommend it. I have also had good results with the Quattro, but had problems with short seal life, and leaking after half of the night. Both masks, when properly adjusted, 'disappear' on your face after a short time of rest. Even so, either mask leave room to be improved on.

The reason there are so many different masks are that there are so many different face shapes. So, there is not really one really good 'universal FFM'. The only thing I seem to observe here among the many users is if the Quattro does not work for you, the Ultra Mirage very well may, and vice versa.

Good points. My face shape is round and on the large side. Also I need to be careful that the material of straps are soft and "almost not there" in feeling as I sometimes have swollen lymph nodes. Thanks, Terry

timbalionguy wrote:. The only thing I seem to observe here among the many users is if the Quattro does not work for you, the Ultra Mirage very well may, and vice versa.

timba, Right. My husband cannot use the Quattro because of leaks and nose sores, but can use the UMFF. It's really strange because both masks are so similar and yet so different.

rjjayrt, I'm glad to see you posting here. I've always been curious about the Flexifit431 but hubby never tried it!

I used the Quattro for over 2 years and only tolerated the bottom edge cutting into the area below my bottom lip. I now use the F&P Forma and it both seals very well for me and is comfortable. It fits under the chin which helps keep me breathing through the nose. I do wear it tight because my oily skin encourages leaks but even tight is is comfortable.

I am the Full Life Fan. It comes with 3 sizes in the fit pack. There may be some for sale in the cpap auction. My numbers are great with it. My ultra mirage and quattro seems to leak into my eyes. I love it it is very light weight, easy to put on and off / just pull over your head to take on or off once adjusted. I use a band aid on my nose and leaves no marks. I adjust loose. It even shows in the book how NOT to adjust it.

If you look under my comment sections you can see I have tried many ff masks b ecuase I am a true mouther breather and I couldn;t breath at all with a nasal mask. So what I have found out on my journey is I wish I had stgarted by using this cpap's site for measuring for a full face mask because it would have helped with the recommendations. What I have found on my journey that I am in the minoirty and not in majority for what works for me. I too have a round face actually heart shaped with a pronounce nose. My b iggest problem was size of mask. Some mediums were to small and then the larges were too big so the amount of leaks I was experiencing were tremendous or the opposite my poor nose hurt and I was getting sinus infections. I knew I was getting close to the perfect mask when I tried the F & P HC431. The problem Ihad with that one was that my nose was hitting the form mask and I need something a little softer so the Forma fit by F & P has become perecg for me. yes I had to full around with it a litle but I didn't have to do anyh make shift changes to improve the comfortability. The two accessories that I use with the mask is is us pad a cheeks on the sides and I use the rzzzmask inserts so that I can use my night moisturizer. Oh I also have a hose cover and am now going to order the Aussie heated hose.
Hope my jpurney helps you out on yours.

Thanks guys. Have to see what suits a chubby cheeked lady. T

Flower, try "nasalene" to clear up your nose.

I tried many different full face masks. I also tried many nasal circuits. I am a mouth breather for a reason, my nose has been stuffed up or blocked my whole life.
Anyway I tried every mask available even purchasing a couple myself that my DME didn't and wouldn't carry. Try different ones on and they should let you take a couple maybe three home to try out over night.
I ended up with a quattro and it worked the best out of all of them but I still had problems until I had surgery and my pressure requirements dropped in half.

As far as your nose being stuffed up from having the flu try flushing your nose. You can pick up a nettie pot or squeeze bottle with packets of powder to mix with water for around 15 bucks. This will help clear your sinus out. I began flushing about a year ago and got to the point that I only do it if I am stuffed up and need it or I get a cold or something else that inflames my sinuses. Flushing does help.

Good luck

Gerry