have tried so many masks

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
HairyReasoner
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by HairyReasoner » Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:15 pm

onward60 wrote:
Tue Sep 28, 2021 1:32 pm
Anyone have experience with these 2 masks?
I have experience with the Airfit F20. My main problem with it is it tends to really dig into the bridge of my nose to the point of leaving a pretty good indentation and soreness. Putting a band-aid across the bridge of my nose helps with that. I've tried the memory foam one, but you can't wash it. I'm used to washing my mask every day with mild dish soap and water, and the memory foam can't get wet. I'm not sure I can wear a mask I can't wash. I think there are some wipes you can use on it, though, but that doesn't seem quite the same to me.

I'm currently using an Airfit F10, but I just saw something today indicating that mask is being discontinued. I may have to make peace with the F20.

I, too, have a hard time finding a mask that works. When I go to sleep, my face muscles relax, and the mask fits totally different than when I try it on. I tend to get big leaks that way.

GrumpyHere
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by GrumpyHere » Wed Sep 29, 2021 1:59 am

HairyReasoner wrote:
Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:15 pm
onward60 wrote:
Tue Sep 28, 2021 1:32 pm
Anyone have experience with these 2 masks?
I have experience with the Airfit F20… …I've tried the memory foam one, but you can't wash it. I'm used to washing my mask every day with mild dish soap and water, and the memory foam can't get wet.
Consider using washable mask liners. An diy example below
https://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=181901
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CyberSpiff
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by CyberSpiff » Wed Sep 29, 2021 7:32 am

onward60 wrote:
Tue Sep 28, 2021 1:32 pm
Anyone have experience with these 2 masks?
No experience with an N20, but I have been using the F20 since I started CPAP almost 6 months ago. Like you I have a long narrow face and use the medium size. What I found works best for me is I wipe it down daily after use with a cleaning wipe I purchased from a local CPAP store. I also spent time watching the videos on fitting the F20 properly and learned the lesson of not fitting it too tightly. As pressure increases it would become so tight it digs into my face and becomes uncomfortable, so I had to find the balance of keeping a good seal while side sleeping without too much pressure. It took a few weeks to become really comfortable with it and practicing getting the right fit.

https://youtu.be/9vcaEIMELKU
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tlohse
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by tlohse » Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:38 pm

I have experience with only 2 masks the Mirage FX and the airfit p10. both were pretty good masks for me but even I am going for a 3rd mask very soon. It is hard to find just the right mask.
Thomas Lohse
Machine: ResMed AirSense 10 Auto Set With Heated hose and Humidifier
Mask: ResMed AirFit P10 Size M Nasal Pillow with headgear
Mask: ResMed AirFit N30i/P30i
Original Mask: ResMed Mirage FX Nasal
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tlohse
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by tlohse » Wed Sep 29, 2021 8:38 pm

I have experience with only 2 masks the Mirage FX and the airfit p10. both were pretty good masks for me but even I am going for a 3rd mask very soon. It is hard to find just the right mask.
Thomas Lohse
Machine: ResMed AirSense 10 Auto Set With Heated hose and Humidifier
Mask: ResMed AirFit P10 Size M Nasal Pillow with headgear
Mask: ResMed AirFit N30i/P30i
Original Mask: ResMed Mirage FX Nasal
CPAP USER SINCE JUNE 2013

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by ChicagoGranny » Thu Sep 30, 2021 7:37 am

Does this mean you now have experience with four masks?

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chunkyfrog
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by chunkyfrog » Thu Sep 30, 2021 6:19 pm

ChicagoGranny wrote:
Thu Sep 30, 2021 7:37 am
Does this mean you now have experience with four masks?
:lol: :lol:

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onward60
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by onward60 » Sat Oct 02, 2021 9:54 am

I've managed to get my hands on an airtouch N20 to try out. So now I have the airfit and air touch N20 and F20. I haven't tried them yet, though. The whole process is confusing and anxiety-producing. I don't even want to have the thing in my bedroom, let alone on my face while I sleep. But the clock is ticking. Not sure how much time I have, but I've spent a whole month of it already.

To complicate my life, my doctor has referred for neurological testing for my memory problems. I think if I have dementia, I don't want to know. Just more anxiety, worse sleep, more trouble with the CPAP.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by ChicagoGranny » Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:41 am

onward60 wrote:
Sat Oct 02, 2021 9:54 am
To complicate my life, my doctor has referred for neurological testing for my memory problems. I think if I have dementia, I don't want to know. Just more anxiety, worse sleep, more trouble with the CPAP.
Sleep deprivation can cause symptoms of dementia.

If it were me, I would put off the neurological testing until my sleep improved and I felt rested.

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onward60
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by onward60 » Sun Oct 03, 2021 6:04 am

ChicagoGranny wrote:
Sat Oct 02, 2021 10:41 am
onward60 wrote:
Sat Oct 02, 2021 9:54 am
To complicate my life, my doctor has referred for neurological testing for my memory problems. I think if I have dementia, I don't want to know. Just more anxiety, worse sleep, more trouble with the CPAP.
Sleep deprivation can cause symptoms of dementia.

If it were me, I would put off the neurological testing until my sleep improved and I felt rested.
That's what I was thinking. But then my daughter suggested I should do a before and after test. I have yet to even wear the mask in bed, so I'm still "before." I think what will happen in the before test is I will sit there and doze off and they will give up and send me home. :roll:

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onward60
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by onward60 » Sun Oct 03, 2021 1:42 pm

Well, it's been a while since I tried my mask and I'm at it again. I am trying lying down in the daytime with the machine on. It always shows a little smile in the leaks section even though I have messed with it and adjusted it and opened my mouth with it running. Is that normal? It's a used loner machine so I don't know if it's accurate.

Also, I have tooth pain at the gum line after about 40 minutes of wearing the nasal mask. One tooth on the top right is crooked and gets easily irritated. I had the hose propped up so the weight of the hose was not involved but my tooth still hurts. In fact, I've had the mask off for an hour and it still hurts.

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onward60
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by onward60 » Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:52 am

Finally got in to see my dentist. He said no way would my nasal mask cause my tooth pain. But neither did he have any idea what was causing my tooth pain.

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ChicagoGranny
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by ChicagoGranny » Fri Oct 08, 2021 10:19 am

onward60 wrote:
Fri Oct 08, 2021 9:52 am
He said no way would my nasal mask cause my tooth pain.
Doesn't that put the onus on him to diagnose?

ILoveFlowers
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by ILoveFlowers » Sat Oct 09, 2021 12:58 am

I don't have much to add but I also have connective tissue disease (currently is mostly in remission, thankfully) and a small face. I have tried a lot of masks and I understand it can be so frustrating, so many of them cause pressure points or don't seal properly when you have a thin face. I always seem to come back to the AirFit P10. I find that it helps to switch the pillow size from time to time. I don't know why but some nights the medium just won't work for me and I grab the large and it's comfortable and seals. Other nights it's the other way around. Also this keeps from getting sore spots from one size. I also have rigged up my own memory foam padding for the straps and that helps a lot. I had some memory foam from a mattress topper and I cut thin strips with an electric knife and then just sewed a tube that fits over the side straps of the mask out of soft cotton rib knit and cut a strip of memory foam to fit inside it on the faceward side of the strap. It took a couple tries to get something I can live with but it's very soft. I don't toss and turn a lot; if you do this might not work for you.

Some nights I have trouble with mouth breathing and I use the 3m paper tape with lots of chapstick on my lips first and then peel it off very carefully and slowly in the morning. I am interested to try that new product for sealing the lips to see how it works.

Don't give up. Think outside the box and try things, you'll get it worked out.
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Julie
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Re: have tried so many masks

Post by Julie » Sat Oct 09, 2021 4:40 am

For pressure points, I cut small (1.5" sq) pieces of foam to put under the mask where necessary and it does help, even if at some places there may be a tiny leak as a result.