Full facemask recommendations

I've developed a cold the last few days and am therefore having a hard time breathing though my nose. I think I need to by a full face mask quickly.

I called a local CPAP place and they recommended the Fisher & Paykel 432. Anyone think this is a good mask or have a better recommendation?

-James

Really no experience with the 432 but I used the 431 for about 8 months and it worked for me.From what I have read-the 432 is a bit stiffer and not as flexible as the 431

Hi James,

I love the hybrid. (Actually I decided I needed to try it since I realised that even the Nasal AIre would not help with stuffed sinus.) It can be used as a fullface mask when I am stuffed up.

I have been using it for the last two weeks. It took a while to figure out what is the best position to keep it in, what sizes pillows what size chin cushion. It is very comfortable and easy to sleep with on the sides. Even better, I can wear it with my glasses. Great for a stay in bed sick day.


I am surprised that lvwildcat did not recommend the Oracle, since that is what is being used.

I use an Ultra Mirage FF mask very successfully (almost 2 years now) at pressures from 11-15 cm. Minimal leaking, after initial adjustment just put it on at night and take it off in the morning and I do virtually no cleaning or maintenance.

Kajun

I’ll chime in here since I just had my first encounter with the HC432 last night.

A couple of weeks ago, fearing the dreaded nasal congestion as a consequence of the Thanksgiving Holiday family gathering this year … I called the DME with my concern. She told me not to worry and that I could come by to be fitted with a full face mask and she would not charge my insurance until early next year when I am eligible for coverage of a new mask. Further still – she said I could try any mask I wanted (she recommended the UMFF) and if I brought it back within a week I could swap it out for a different FF mask.

So I tried the UMFF over the turkey day weekend and it works great for the first 3 hours of sleep. The UMFF fits well without any leaks when I first put it on (except for minor pressure points on my cheek bone) … but after I fall into deep sleep, it springs leaks (after the first 3 hours each of four nights I tried). My hypothesis was that the lower UMFF straps place pressure on my chin towards my throat and leverages my yap open …. changing my facial shape and causing mask leaks which then dried out my mouth. In addition, my face seems to get oily after about 3 hours of sleeping which may also have contributed to the mask leaks (I did wash right before going to bed and also used an astringent).

I took the UMFF back and swapped it out for the HC432 and the DME lady said that if the HC432 was worse, that I could swap it back out for the UMFF or an HC431 (within 7 days of course). As others have stated in their HC432 reviews that I have read … the large HC432 is a bit smaller (due to new foam padding) than the large UMFF and the large HC431, especially around the area of the nose bridge (so beware when selecting a size). The HC432 does seem to barely fit me and I think they may need to eventually produce an x-large size. Anyway, I used the HC432 last night for the first time as I was anxious to see if it was going to be better than the UMFF and it was a whole lot better. It was much more comfortable than the UMFF since the HC432 has a foam pad behind the silicone seal cushion which conforms better to the face … no pressure points on my cheek bones or anywhere else. It has a “glazed” textured silicone cushion for sealing in comparison to the glossy UMFF. Perhaps that had a positive effect on my facial oils and the sealing I dunno. I had no leaks or at least no significant leaks (I do wear a thick full beard btw) and consequently no dry mouth. Since the HC432 fits under the chin, I guess less tension is needed on the lower straps to make a good seal and it does not crank my mouth open while I am in deep sleep. Also of note, the HC432 is more quiet than the UMFF.

My AHI was 7.1 but my AI was only 0.4 so I don’t know if the higher than normal (for me) HI was due to mask setting of S8 machine or something else. Keep in mind that this is only one night and I hope to try it out more thoroughly over this weekend and maybe write a detailed review of my experience sometime next week. So far this FF mask has potential for me.

BTW – I also have a Hybrid which I have yet to tame as it has more fitting options and is more complicated to tweak but I still think it has potential too ... I just don’t have the time to tweak it right now. I may start playing around with it again during the xmas holidays.

- r

I'm waiting for my ordered one - have already tried it out x 2 wks and LOVE it!