MASK SELECTION

Okay I have the Zest petite & it fits pretty well etc. EXCEPT it hurts my UPPER lip big time. I have adjusted the straps/moved the mask up etc. nothing works. When I was at the sleep study, we tried soooo many masks (but they didn't have a petite; the regular size are NOT a good fit AT ALL) The lady who sends me the masks is NOT very good; she says I have a small face so it's hard to fit me. I realize that the space between my nose & eyes is not big & same with the nose & upper lip but SOMEONE must have similar features and have a suggestion. I KNOW my CPAP machine is helping even with only using it for 4-5 hours but I REALLY want to feel the full impact!

How many "tries" do I get with the masks?

Please if anyone can think of any other mask let me know!

Thank you!

Hi,
I noticed you hadn't gotten any replies. People get a little tired of mask threads because there are so many.

I definitely know what you mean about lip pain. I use a ComfortGel nasal occasionally, but then switch to a FF mask to give my lip a rest, The Zest has a somewhat firm inner silicone part. You might try the Respironics Easylife since it depends on a double flap seal and not too much strap pressure. Speaking of that...are you sure you aren't over-tightening. Adjusting cpap masks is sort of a black art. Only tighten enough to stop leaks and also I find the home made gasket using T shirt material helps greatly especially with early morning leaks.

Try as many masks as you need to till you find one that fits your face. And I know I'm not the only person to rotate masks. Read some mask threads, watch some of the videos. Try a mask gasket. Experiment...
Jamis

My Mirage softgel cushion rests on my lip but as the previous poster suggested keeping it loose helps with the pressure. The softgel small was too small for me but might work for you and the cushions are very comfortable.

Just a thought... if your face is very small, have you tried any pediatric masks? A search on 'pediatric cpap mask' brings up several possibilities. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions, I emailed the tech & asked about pediatric masks & the nasal pillows so we'll see.

I also took a nap & tried loosening the straps & that did seem to help a bit but sometimes I felt that it was going to fall off.

I realize this is only my 2nd week but this is SOOO frustrating.

I'm new to freediving and like many others have some issues equalizing. I was a competive swimmer from age 6, so confidence and comfort in the water is not much of an issue. However, I wonder if my leaky mask is giving me issues on top of my inexperience.

I'm able to control the muscles around my e tubes and get popping noises/equalization on dry land and sometimes in the water(BTV?). I've been using valsalva as the primary means to equalize until I learn to use the frenzel technique.

I don't really feel much need to go further than 10-15m, but maybe as I get better that will change. The problem is that I dive to only 3-5 meters at this time ; after a couple dives I'm stuffed, and pain starts to set in on subsequent dives until I can't even make 2 meters without pain. between dives I generally have to blow the snot and seawater out of my nose to keep my sinuses clear. Am I going to have to shave off my goatee To get past this problem? Does anyone else think it might be causing some of my problem?