Best mask

What is the best, in terms of comfort level and performance) non ffm in the market now? Or rather which is the most recommended one?

If I change from a nasal to a nasal/nasal pillow mask, do I need to re-adjust my machine settings?

Something worth mentioning is I tend to sleep on my side most of the time

Anybody that has been using a mask probably thinks it is the best mask or they wouldn't be using it. Go to cpap.com...look at the pictures of the masks and read the hundreds of comments from the users.

bipap3800 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:26 am

If I change from a nasal to a nasal/nasal pillow mask, do I need to re-adjust my machine settings?

Only change needed is if you are using a brand of machine that has mask type choices...like the ResMed.
Respironics doesn't have mask type choices...and I am not sure about some of the other brands.

The "best" mask is the one that meets most of your preferences and needs....and your preferences and needs might be different from mine so there is no guarantee that what works best for me will work best for you..

I have a thing about having as little on my face and head as possible. I want quiet and minimal footprint.
All masks come with pros and cons...all of them.
With minimal footprint in terms of the headgear that usually means greater chance for some strap movement...for me it's usually the back strap wants to slide upwards a little...sometimes it does but most of the time it doesn't. For me it's a trade off that I accept.
I am also primarily a side sleeper but due to back issues I end up with a lot of tossing and turning from side to side and even on my back some.

Check out the mask I use which is in my profile. It ticks off almost all the boxes that I have in my preferences and needs.
It works well for a lot of people...now whether or not it will work well for you is an unknown. You won't know what your preferences and needs are until you at least try something.

I'm still searching for something that is both comfortable and allows me to maintain an acceptable seal to prevent an excessive amount of large leaks. So far, that combo has eluded me. The secret-sauce is to use CPAP.COM's insurance that lets you try a mask and return it for a refund if it doesn't work out. So far, I've been disappointed by three well-reviewed masks and my search continues.

Bottom line: When it comes to personal items, it is quite a challenge to recommend a "Best" [mask/footwear/underwear/eyeglass frame/etc] to most any group. What you frequently end up with is a "lowest-common-denominator" for a mutually agreed upon, acceptable result; not a "highest".

Opinions will vary.

Good luck with your search!

-JD

Sadly, using the lowest common denominator is like "one size fits all/most".
It is a quick fix; but permanent solutions usually need time, work, and money.
Pay careful attention to how each mask fits-or not;
and look for something you can live with.

chunkyfrog wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:44 am

Sadly, using the lowest common denominator is like "one size fits all/most".
It is a quick fix; but permanent solutions usually need time, work, and money.
Pay careful attention to how each mask fits-or not;
and look for something you can live with.

I have thought about this like "Goldilocks." I tried the nasal pillow...TOO hard (hurt my nostrils)!. I tried the nasal cushion...TOO soft (couldn't keep it in place). Then I tried the Dreamwear Nasal Cushion....JUST right! I think it's the one I will stick with and I can change it out with their mask that covers the mouth too if I can't get a handle on the pressure sneaking air into my mouth! I'm discovering that both masks and CPAP settings are a bit of trial and error until you find what works best for you!

JayDee wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:20 am

I'm still searching for something that is both comfortable and allows me to maintain an acceptable seal to prevent an excessive amount of large leaks. So far, that combo has eluded me. The secret-sauce is to use CPAP.COM's insurance that lets you try a mask and return it for a refund if it doesn't work out. So far, I've been disappointed by three well-reviewed masks and my search continues.

Bottom line: When it comes to personal items, it is quite a challenge to recommend a "Best" [mask/footwear/underwear/eyeglass frame/etc] to most any group. What you frequently end up with is a "lowest-common-denominator" for a mutually agreed upon, acceptable result; not a "highest".

Opinions will vary.

Good luck with your search!

-JD

It’s good to know CPAP.com offers insurance and refund! But I’m located in Asia, don’t know if it applies here.

The problem with my current mask (Philips easylife) is that sometimes when I turn to the side it is pushed by the pillow causing slight leak. And every morning I wake up with red marks on forehead and around the nose though they go away by the time I leave home for work.

bipap3800 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:26 am

What is the best, in terms of comfort level and performance) non ffm in the market now? Or rather which is the most recommended one?

If I change from a nasal to a nasal/nasal pillow mask, do I need to re-adjust my machine settings?

could you tell us what machine you currently have?

and when you find the time, please go to the control panel and fill in your equipment. once you do that, it will always show up at the bottom of your posts, like mine does below.

good luck!

zonker wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:15 pm

bipap3800 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:26 am

What is the best, in terms of comfort level and performance) non ffm in the market now? Or rather which is the most recommended one?

If I change from a nasal to a nasal/nasal pillow mask, do I need to re-adjust my machine settings?

could you tell us what machine you currently have?

and when you find the time, please go to the control panel and fill in your equipment. once you do that, it will always show up at the bottom of your posts, like mine does below.

good luck!

Added my machine and mask type. PR S1 60 Series BiPAP Auto

bipap3800 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:17 pm

The problem with my current mask (Philips easylife) is that sometimes when I turn to the side it is pushed by the pillow causing slight leak.

I'm a side-sleeper as well and so far, I've had lots of large leaks with:
ResMed F10 Full-Face
ResMed P10 Nasal Pillows
DreamWear Nasal Gel-Pillows

Last night was my first night with Dreamwear nasal *cushion* and I believe it was my first night with no "large" leaks registered. It's also the most comfortable mask I've tried yet - very soft. I do wake up with the strap marks, but I have a medium firm pillow and, laying on my side, the straps get pressed against my face. Like you, they go away shortly after I wake. But I've had that particular problem since I was a child even with wrinkles in the pillow, so it's no big deal to me.

I also had problems with the pillow pushing the mask aside and breaking the seal. Another factor with the ResMed masks is the location of the hose connection - right in front of my face. As I would roll in my sleep, the hose would pull side-ways on the mask, breaking the seal. With the Dreamwear mask, the hose is on top of my head. If anything, hose traction would pull the seal tighter, at least for me.

I thought the nasal pillows would seal best as the "cone" form would plug my nostrils best. My problem with them was, to get them comfortable where they would not hurt, I had to keep the mask fairly loose and that allowed the seal to break easiest of all either from the pillow pushing them aside or from the hose pulling. When I first got a pillows mask, I had it too tight and woke up feeling like I had been punched in the nose. It was *painful*!! Lessons last longest when learned hardest: adjust the mask only as snug as needed to acquire a seal. If it hurts, it's too tight!!

The P10 mask headgear wouldn't maintain position and my head against the pillow would move the strap lower (meaning tighter) more often than not. That led to pain. I got the Dreamwear Pillows mask because it had the flat flange at the base of the cones that I thought would help prevent the pillows from intruding too far into my nostrils. It turns out that *any* intrusion into my nostrils would end up hurting/chafing and leaving the middle of my nose just inside my nostrils feeling rubbed raw.

That led me to try the Dreamwear nasal "cushion" -- uses the same headgear as the DreamWear nasal gel-pillows. It does not enter your nose, but wears like a pillows mask. It's only been one night, but it's the most promising mask for me so far. I'm optimistic it might be "The One". Time will tell.

Huge caveat: This has been my experience and it could be completely different with you.

Good luck with it!
-JD

If you don't need a FFM, your best bets to start are probably the Dreamwear Gel Pillows or Cushions and the P10. It's all preference, and you have to try something. Both of these offerings have some unique benefits and are very popular.

bipap3800 wrote: ↑

Thu Aug 16, 2018 2:46 am

zonker wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 8:15 pm

bipap3800 wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:26 am

What is the best, in terms of comfort level and performance) non ffm in the market now? Or rather which is the most recommended one?

If I change from a nasal to a nasal/nasal pillow mask, do I need to re-adjust my machine settings?

could you tell us what machine you currently have?

and when you find the time, please go to the control panel and fill in your equipment. once you do that, it will always show up at the bottom of your posts, like mine does below.

good luck!

Added my machine and mask type. PR S1 60 Series BiPAP Auto

thank you!

The best mask is the mask that's best for you! The first step is generally to decide on a mask type.