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Hello, all. I've just joined this forum so hope this is the right place as I desperately need help. I cannot nose breathe due to a bone disease I was born with so I use the Evora full face mask as well as a Dreamwear full face mask. They push my very short nose upward to the point where I'm having such nose pain that I can hardly continue the therapy. I've tried looseing the masks but then the leak rate is severe at the tip of my nose as well as the sides. So I have to wear these so tight that the pain becomes dificult. My equipment provider does not have a place to lie down and test masks and I've never had a propper fitting which does not help. I'm on bi level with pressure of 21 over 11. I have a tracheostomy for obstructive sleep apnea which i'm trying to get rid of but have had to resort to it when the pain is intollerable. I have a fisher and p vitera but it leaks at the sides and again, I have to wear it extremely tight but at least it doesn't bother my nose. Thanks for any help for this new and desperate user.

Some online sellers let you return masks that don't work for you. You may have to pay a bit more for that option, but it's worth it, since you can try the mask in your own bed, with your own head pillow.

Check to see who will deliver what to Canada.

Also, check YouTube, and the companies' sites for video instructions, both for fitting and for troubleshooting leaks.

As a general rule, masks do not have to be so tight that they hurt.

You can also find sizing templates for masks - that too can help.

There is also a "Moouth only" mask called "Oracle", in which user have to plug their nose to keep air from coming out of it.

Have you tried non-hybrid - i.e. full face masks?

Finding the right mask may be expensive if for some reason you can't return it. Try to divide the expense by the number of nights you'll eventually get to sleep well once you find the right mask. And most of us find that, contrary to what the mask makers suggest, a single mask can service for a long time, a year, or longer.

Hello.
thanks so much for the excellent advice. yes, I've tried full face masks: the sim plus and vitera but the vitera leaks at the sides. The evora is an extra small and fits well, it just tips my nose upwards. I will definitely look into which company will ship to Canada and get return insurance to find the right fit. i'm not familliar iwth the Oracle but it is worth looking into. again, thank you so much.

There are full face masks that do not touch the of your nose at all.

Generally, Full Face is the term used for mask that seal at the bridge of your nose, or about there, they do not touch your nose from below at all.

"Hybrid" is used for those that let air into your mouth and nose, and seal beneath your nose, thought I get the impression F&P do not use that term.

Hi Sparkie Kerri... I don't know who's got what, or if you're already aware of these places, but have you tried https://www.cpap-supply.com (888-955-2727) who have always shipped to Canada, tho' their new site (new design, anyhow) doesn't say so - I'd check first.

And I imagine you're aware of https://www.cpapoutlet.ca (855-542-2727).

And Clinical Sleep Solutions - 800-732-7985 which would be local to you.

I'm in the Maritimes btw.

Good luck!

thanks, i have heard "full face" referred to both hybrid and the regular full face. i only hope they have something small enough as my face is *very tiny. for example, the vitera I have tried is small but it is too big.

ozij wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 08, 2023 1:44 am

There are full face masks that do not touch the of your nose at all.

Generally, Full Face is the term used for mask that seal at the bridge of your nose, or about there, they do not touch your nose from below at all.

"Hybrid" is used for those that let air into your mouth and nose, and seal beneath your nose, thought I get the impression F&P do not use that term.

Sparkie_Kerri wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:09 pm

thanks, i have heard "full face" referred to both hybrid and the regular full face. i only hope they have something small enough as my face is *very tiny. for example, the vitera I have tried is small but it is too big.

might i suggest going to cpap.com and looking at various and sundry masks? they will have some customer reviews as well.

i don't mean to suggest you buy from cpap.com (though as the forum sponsor, that would be cool, ) but at least it would give you some info.

good luck!

hello. i'll check them out. wish I could purchase from cpap.com but as i reside in Canada, unsure if they would ship here. i also found out the respiratory therapist remotly increased my pressure to 23 over 12 which is really getting hard to deal with.

zonker wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 08, 2023 10:02 pm

Sparkie_Kerri wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 08, 2023 9:09 pm

thanks, i have heard "full face" referred to both hybrid and the regular full face. i only hope they have something small enough as my face is *very tiny. for example, the vitera I have tried is small but it is too big.

might i suggest going to cpap.com and looking at various and sundry masks? they will have some customer reviews as well.

i don't mean to suggest you buy from cpap.com (though as the forum sponsor, that would be cool, ) but at least it would give you some info.

good luck!

Sparkie_Kerri wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 10, 2023 9:15 pm

hello. i'll check them out. wish I could purchase fro cpap.com but as i reside in Canada, unsure if they would ship here.

well, look there and then see if the canadian dealers julie mentioned has whatever you settle on.

good luck!

Cpap.com will ship here, but cannot/won't ship Resmed products out of the U.S. However, Canadian sites can ship those to you at a higher price to match the currency exchange rate of the day.

hello. i have the evora full face mask in extra small. it used to work better than it does now but ceased to be as effective ever since the pressure was increased from 21/11 to 23/12. i'm also going mad iwth the high pressure even on bipap.

And what happens when you lower the pressure?

Sparkie_Kerri wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 12, 2023 11:26 am

hello. i have the evora full face mask in extra small. it used to work better than it does now but ceased to be as effective ever since the pressure was increased from 21/11 to 23/12. i'm also going mad iwth the high pressure even on bipap.

, but may fit better.

You might need to replace the cushion on the Evora, if you haven't recently. Also check the headgear, as it tends to stretch out over time.

Have you spoken to the doctor/therapist who increased the pressure about the issues you are having? Have you looked at your data to see if it's any better with the adjustment? There needs to be a reasonable balance between comfort and effectiveness--if you can't wear it, it's not effective at all. If the higher settings are more effective for your apnea, then perhaps a mask change will help. But if it hasn't made a meaningful difference, then it's something that should be discussed with you, instead of foisted upon you.

Take a look at Sleepweaver soft cloth masks--they have both nasal and full face masks. Is that something you could tolerate?

I use the same mask. Ands towards the end of the night feels like the mask is trying to relocate your nose up to your forehead. I used a piece of shoelace with a loop on each end and ran it from one lower strap under my chin to the other lower strap. It's a little fidley getting the lace the right length that provides just a slight tug on the lower straps. But I find it keeps the mask from riding up against my nose and it doesn't effect the seal at all.

Good luck.

Have you ever heard of a total face mask?
Respironics' Fitlife mask might work for you.
It does not even touch the nose.
It just has a gasket that runs around the perimeter of your face.