new mask and unit question

I spoke with apria today about the unit and mask I will be renting.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear all the details and wanted to get quick feedback as I will decide by tonight.

The unit is brand new ( I was told they are required by insurance to provide new one), but opened only to adjust prescription settings. It is
AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
The mask is
AirFit™ N20 CPAP Nasal Mask & Headgear (med)

I was told I will own it after renting for a few months. The mask can be changed every 6 months under insur.
My question is that I used the pillow type mask during the trial (which was ok), and this one is slightly different, but they said most users are happy with it and
medium is a default size for most users. I can put a request to get a different mask, if necessary, up front. Any thoughts or issues with that mask are appreciated,
as I haven't tried it yet.

user232 wrote:AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier

Good!

user232 wrote:AirFit™ N20 CPAP Nasal Mask & Headgear (med)

Maybe you want to read some of the nearly 100 customer reviews here - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... eviews-tab

Here is the sizing guide - https://5faacd0c97cf0d23c6dc-064f3cd61b ... -guide.pdf

Keep in mind, picking a favorite in a mask is very much personal preference. Did Apria not offer to try a different mask within 30 days if this one doesn't work out for you?

ChicagoGranny beat me to it.

Definitely try to see what size you need (with any mask) by using the fitting guide.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

user232 wrote:AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier

Good!

user232 wrote:AirFit™ N20 CPAP Nasal Mask & Headgear (med)

Maybe you want to read some of the nearly 100 customer reviews here -
Here is the sizing guide -

Keep in mind, picking a favorite in a mask is very much personal preference. Did Apria not offer to try a different mask within 30 days if this one doesn't work out for you?

Thank You! Sounds very user specific. No, they did not offer the 30 day exchange. I was told I could buy another frame (which they said is most of unit anyways) in 3 months, if I needed to, or wait till 6 to get it replaced. That is one odd template (who uses mm and says print to scale? It should be auto inches and designed with a standard 8 and 1/2 by 11 outer dimension to start with. Anyways, I have a fairly medium to big head, so medium seems ok, and the rep mentioned, some people break it by overtightening, telling me maybe slightly smaller is better for snugness.

My question is that I used the pillow type mask during the trial (which was ok), and this one is slightly different, but they said most users are happy with it and
medium is a default size for most users. I can put a request to get a different mask, if necessary, up front. Any thoughts or issues with that mask are appreciated,
as I haven't tried it yet.

Red flags when they say "most users are happy with it and medium is the default size". What that tells you is that they don't intend to fit you properly, and you are not "most users". You are unique and your facial structure is unique and what works for "most users" (whomever they are) may or may not work for you, correct size or not. And here's the deal. If the mask doesn't work for you, CPAP doesn't work for you--if you can't wear the mask, you can't get the benefit of the treatment . They are implying that you have to sit around and wait six months to get a new mask if this doesn't work out.

You should be able to trade this mask in on a different one within the first month if it isn't working for you (for various reasons--doesn't fit, too uncomfortable in your preferred sleeping position, Doesn't work with your facial structure, high volume leakage, etc.). And truthfully, you should be able to swap masks as often as you need to, at least in that first month, until you find THE mask that works best for YOU, not for most people.

Manufacturers have programs that allow DME's to get credit for returned masks so that you can try another, but it takes some paperwork on the DME's part and they don't want to spend the time and effort. So you may have to be assertive and DEMAND a new mask if this doesn't work for you. Be polite and insistent. And prepare for a fight. There's a reason that we call them Crapria, and they are already demonstrating that your individuals needs are not being considered.

Come to think of it, I mentioned something about exchanging early, and the rep said something along the lines of
"we don't want the unit back." whatever that meant. Before going into the 3 to 6 month replacement avenue.

Regarding that nasal mask template shows Nasal Mask and Nasal Mask "For Her."
I take it they are the same template dimensions for her and him? Why would they put both those designations on one template, and also
the catalog does not even show both choices. Maybe they meant mask for the machine with him or her, but it sure makes it confusing for the consumer.

That is a terrible template, btw. There is an inches one available, but they still could have made it a lot easier, without requiring re-scaling.
They should show the base nose distance for each of the three in inches.
If it helps anyone, I roughly re-measured to scale

small 1 7/16"
med 1 12/16"
large 2 1/8"

My nose base distance is 1 12.5/16", so it appears medium is a good fit for me, at least going by that template.

I should add that some complained about the mask/magnets loosening falling off, depending on position.
I am a stomach sleeper, and the pillow version I tried was 'mostly' snug, if anyone knows if this is an issue with this mask, please advise.

You can call ResMed directly and ask questions about a particular mask. I did that - wondering if/how the For Her version differed from the other. Most of them are actually the same, but come packaged with a smaller cushion option. For instance, the regular may come packaged with sizes S,M,L whereas the For Her will come packaged with sizes XS,S & M. I hope that makes sense. You have to ask for a specific mask though, as they all do not follow the same rules (some actually *do* have a smaller headgear, but most do not).

Thanks for that. It makes sense, but I find it odd that they do not show any distinction in the catalog choice, and use the same template with both designations.
There should be a different template for each, if what you say is correct (not doubting you)... not one template with both labels.
I can only hope they order a 'for him' version for me. And they mentioned they are trying to move to all online and shipping only, which doesn't bode well for in person tryouts / returns etc...

Oh, sorry, I re-read and possibly misunderstood you. So the size differences is only in the cushion and not the mask base nose dimensions.
No problem then, and again, hopefully, they provide me with the cushion fit for him.

A lot of the time the "for Her" mask packages are just different color headgear. Some might have a smaller headgear.

The actual cushions or nasal pillows that go with the for her packages or the regular packages are all universal in terms of sizing.
There is no small for men and a different small for women....So when measuring for cushions it doesn't really matter if the measuring tool says for her or not...there is no difference in the cushion sizes for men or women.

The Medium N20 cushion is the same size medium cushion no matter if the package is a for her package or a regular package.
Make sense?

Yes, that makes more sense. It would be nice if they could be a little more explicit for us neophytes.

Janknitz wrote:... you are not "most users". ...

Right. She's user232.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Janknitz wrote:... you are not "most users". ...

Right. She's user232.

She's U-232, she's radioactive. Jim