Another "which mask" question

I have just been diagnosed with SA. After a discouraging visit with the local DME, I have decided to buy my equipment from cpap.com. I plan to buy the REMStar Auto as soon as I can get the doctor to re-write the prescription correctly. But the mask is the problem. I was trying to decide between the Mirage Activa and the Ultra Mirage II. But according to the cpap.com sizing chart, neither of these masks is a good fit for me. Eliminating masks that block off the nares (as that would make me more claustrophobic than a ff mask), that leaves the recommended list of the following:
ComfortClassic (Respironics)
ComfortCurve Nasal Interface (Respironics) - might be able to handle this
Dreamfit Nasal CPAP Interface with Dreamseal - not sure about the over the head hose - I am basically a side-sleeper, but sometimes sleep on my back for short periods, and I am not sure how the hose might interfere with that.
Flexifit HC431 Full Face Mask (Fisher & Paykel)
Simplicity Mask (Respironics)
Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask (Resmed)

I believe I used the Ultra Mirage during the sleep study, but I thought it was a nasal mask rather than the full face. Of course, the tech put it on me in a darkened room, when I was somewhat asleep, etc. and I was concentrating on my breathing more than the mask. And, at that point I had nothing to compare it to, and hadn't found the wealth of information on this site.

Limiting choices only to those above, does anyone have any advice, recommendations (for or against) to help this newbie order her first mask?

I am still trying to figure out the mask deal myself--been on cpap for 4 weeks. I do prefer the hose over my head, though. In the sleep study it was down but the mask I was first fitted with by DME was over the head. If you have a headboard to drape the hose over, it does not get in the way. I am mostly a side sleeper, usually turning to my back once during the night then back to side after a while. I really like the hose going over the head. I find the ones that go down below the nose get in my way on my side because of the way I position my arms. I just tried the Activa mask last night and my DME used a rubber band to position it above my head. That mask has a superior seal but is a bit bulky. I will continue with it, though, to see if I get used to it--I had a pretty good night. I'm sure you will get more replies from more experienced cpap users. You can put 'mask' in the search or browse the forum--there is a lot of imformation from people posting about masks. I wish you good luck.

Thanks, luvmykatz. I don't have a headboard on the bed, but have been considering getting one. Maybe now is the time.

mousetater--i'm a newbie second time around, but i'm currently making an obsessive study of masks. i can help you with a few things.

there is an ultra mirace full face and a nasal mask, for starters. the ultra mirage and activa are the same except that activa has a nicer cushion for most people. activa silicon is very comfy for most people, perhaps because it has this "floppy" undercushion that allegedly moves as you do and keeps the seal. many people here like the activa. if you get it, the bottom part needs to be pretty lose so the undercushion doesn't get smushed.

most people who do the full-face mask do it because, for whatever reason, they can't keep their mouth closed when they sleep, or they have a cold. my resmed machine book says it is very common for newbies to get cold symptoms in the first few weeks of cpap--sneezing, stuffiness, mild sore throat, etc. this is not a real cold, but it may not mean you always need a full-face mask, because it allegedly goes away. i prefer full face because i have a deviated septum, so my nose is stuffed up most of the time. it remains to be seen whether saline solution/gel will make a nasal mask an option for me most of the time.

respironics simplicity, imo, is a last resort. it's minimally restrictive, but it blows air in my eye all night, and i can't get it to fit and not blow air in my eye. also, i find that the simplicity silicone irritates the bottom of my nose more than others, so i have to wear a medium instead of small, my normal size. the fit on the medium is okay but the size difference is enough to take me into a ultra mirage nasal, meaning that i find the medium much more oppressive size-wise than the small. which really means the simplicity leads me to the activa because i think the activa is better than the ultra mirage nasal mask.

good luck. it's a bitch finding a mask. my next venture is swift nasal pillows, which many like, and you don't have as much of a monster on your face when you sleep.

so that's what i personally know about the masks you have listed. also, many people here have a couple of different kinds to alternate, depending on the state of their face on a given night.

_________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): respironics, resmed, mirage, activa, swift, newbie, CPAP, seal, Nasal Pillows

I have decided to buy my equipment from cpap.com. I plan to buy the REMStar Auto as soon as I can get the doctor to re-write the prescription correctly.



you have made the wisest choice so for- (your machine and buying here.)

Now the hardest choice is the mask. IMO for someone staring out if they breathe through their nose I would say the Activa. I always thought I could only breathe through my mouth but when i got started I found out that I breathe through my nose. For mouth breathers I would say the Ultra Mirage Full face mask. If you want to know what size you need I would call ResMed and ask for their nurse "Susie". she will go overboard to make sure you have the right mask. Welcome and keep us posted on how you do
th

"I have decided to buy my equipment from cpap.com. I plan to buy the REMStar Auto as soon as I can get the doctor to re-write the prescription correctly."

As long as the prescription says at least "CPAP" you should be able to purchase the REMstar auto.

Bob

Thanks for all the helpful information. I would prefer to get the Activa as my first mask because of all the good reviews here. Unfortunately, the sizing chart on cpap.com says this would not be a good mask for me. I know some people have leak problems with it - maybe because it doesn't work well with their face measurements. Most likely I will start with the Ultra Mirage full-face. My initial setting is 16 cm H20. And my vocal folds are paralyzed on the left side from being intubated for surgery 10 years ago. Being able to mouth breathe might be a good thing.

Bob, I just read the FAQ on the cpap.com site and I can, indeed, get an autopap with a prescription for cpap. Contrary to what the local DME told me. He said he couldn't fill, nor would insurance pay for an auto CPAP if it didn't say auto on the prescription. So, I will just go get the prescription from my doctor - he originally faxed it to the DME, so I never saw it.

It was thanks to all the helpful people who post here that I understood I don't have to put up with the shenanigans of the DME. I am very grateful to all of you.

mousetater

mousetater: i would urge you to call cpap.com and talk over your concrerns with one of their reps. I did after someone said to ask for Susie. The first one I got was not too helpful but she also said there was no Susie working for them. Then I got Becky or Betsy.

Also, someone posted here that the size stuff recommended against a certain mask, and that is his favorite! So the size stuff may be on paper.

Although everyone here is great, i'm not sure that they have the overall perspective that the reps have. No, i don't work for cpap.com. Becky honestly answered my questions. I feel a lot better after talking to her, and I didn't even order because she told me I need to check my hoses first to see if one of them has a leak because she says i'm using too much distilled water for my pressure number.

My debate was over the UMFF vs. the F &P 4431. I already have a Resmed series 2, which is the old version of UMFF. She said the UMFF very well might not solve my problem with series 2 (and I was planning to order a UMFF) and she thought I should try the 431. she was really good, like an alcohol abuse counselor talking to someone in denial. i told her the series 2 fit everywhere except under the mouth because there's not much there for the mask to grab onto, so it has trouble finding a spot. She told me that means it doesn't fit--like it really doesn't fit and/or i have a hose leak.

so i'm not selling cpap.com, but it was nice to have an "expert" to help figure out the problem and solution.

A mask that is a little tougher to figure out/stop leaking is the ComfortCurve, but if you can figure it out it is fantastic. Unlike the swift is is not invading your nose, but lies just under it. It comes with the 3 different size pillows, so size is not that big of a deal. The problem with it is getting it to stop leaking. It takes a lot of adjustments, trial and error to start with. I almost gave up on it several times, but after I got it adjusted right it is the best mask. Right now I am on straight CPAP at a pressure of 12, but I have been using the ComfortCurve on APAP with a pressure of 13-16cm, and it worked well for me.

I know a lot of people don't like this mask because they were not able to stop it from leaking. But if you get it and don't give up on it you may find it to be the best one out there.

I also have the Ultra Mirage II nose mask, and the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. I like the UM II nose as well. It is a good mask. My least favorite is the full face mask. I had to return the Swift because I could not use it at all. It felt like my nose was on fire when using the Swift.

Good luck with your choices.

Mouse,

Most of us are still looking for the best mask. I've been on CPAP for 4 months and I've tried the Swift, Aura, and Breeze. My DME left a Comfortgel, today, the first non-nasal pillow mask I will have tried.

I've put it hot water and then cooled it for 10 seconds and put it on my face to supposedly get the gel to conform better. I've adjusted the straps and the upper tilt mechanism. I've lain in bed and pretended to be going to sleep, all the things we try. One thing for sure: It is quieter than any of my nasal pillow interfaces....by FAR. It emits sound on exhale, a little psssst, but none in inhale, just the opposite of my nasal pillow masks. They amplify the inhale sound and make no exhale sound. And, that has been the biggest acclimation problem I've had: that inhalation noise. I think I'm more sensitive than most.

Another bonus is that the vent is in the hose connection swivel and looks as if it wouldn't bother a bedmate.

Tonight will be the first night with the Comfortgel. It doesn't have a good reputation on this forum. I've read posts that said "stay away from anything that has 'comfort' in its name." We shall see.

Jerry

Yes, I most definitely will call in my order to cpap.com so I can discuss the mask issue with a live person. I am picking up the prescription after work today, and hope to have my set up by early next week.

Thanks again for all the advice.

mousetater wrote:I don't have a headboard on the bed

You don't really have to have a headboard in order to rig up a way to keep the main air hose suspended above your head.

My bed doesn't have a headboard either. Since I knew this was going to be a permanent setup, I bought a swivel plant hanger (horizontal arm that sticks out from the wall and can swing left and right) and screwed that onto the wall about a foot above my head. Works like a charm with a scrunchy hung from it and the air hose run through the scrunchy.

Actually, you don't have to make it that permanent or make holes in your wall. You could get an adhesive backed hook of some kind to stick on the wall.

Or, buy or make a hose hanger like Craig's:

Aug 24, 2005 subject: Cheap Hose "Stand/Holder"

Great idea, rested gal. I had seen references to the scrunchy solution on this board, but couldn't find the whole thread. I think I will try your solution first, and then maybe look at getting something along the lines of what Craig did. I am not very handy, and would probably need to buy rather than make, but if it makes sleeping easier, I am all for it. Will be ordering my equipment from cpap.com later today