Best Masks for High Pressure Settings

I have severe sleep apnea and have been on CPAP and now BiPAP therapy for several years now. I don't know what my pressure setting is right off hand but I know it is high and my last sleep study showed I had 113 events per hour. I am also obese and have health issues that cause a lot of aches and pains that make me toss and turn a lot in my sleep. I have struggled to ever find a mask that is remotely comfortable and that lasts. I have tried numerous masks and fittings at a DME supplier. Besides trying all the masks at the supplier I have used at home: nasal pillows (but my mouth tends to fall open and the chin straps I've tried are uncomfortable) and full face masks like the AirFit F20, AirFit F30, Evora, Quatro, Forma and currently use the AirTouch F20. In order to keep from getting too many air leaks both from my high pressure setting and tossing and turning, I have to cinch my straps down so tightly that it is quite uncomfortable. Even with Pad A Cheek and whatever makeshift padding I can come up with it also irritates my skin and the straps stretch and wear out very quickly or in a few cases have even broken and Medicare only covers replacing the straps every 6 months. Also, with nasal pillows and under the nose full face masks i often get sores on my nose and septum from the pressure of the mask pushed against it. I'm also not the biggest fan of the feel of the silicone against my skin but I can make due with that issue.

I am open to any suggestions from other people who have these problems as far as masks, straps/headgear, chin straps, padding and covers (even if DIY) that might be a better option and help mitigate at least some of the problems inhibiting my ability to rest.

FWIW..IMHO

I do not think over tight straps are the answer to mask leaks (from my own experience)

I think they are designed , soft and flexible, to expand to self seal to your face as the pressure increases.

I just tried the ResMed AirTouch N30i nasal mask for the first time. The AirTouch N30i uses an impregnated cloth rather than the inflatable silicone. I was impressed. I couldn't use the silicone version of the N30i (AirFit) because it leaked too much, the AirTouch with the cloth seal was much better, and more comfortable. You might have a look at the AirTouch F20. Which is the full face mask in this series, uses memory foam rather than the thin inflatable silicone seal. It forms to the face rather than using air pressure to inflate the silicone for a seal.

I think the AirTouch series is new and replacing the AirFit ones.

Im currently on air curve 11 with a bpap. It’s just been 22 days and I have swollen eyes and large bags under my eyes from the full face masks. I have a deviated septum so I can’t use nasal masks. Not sure what to do?

Jimmydon2025 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 22, 2025 8:27 pm

Not sure what to do?

welcome. please start your own thread as we consider it rude to press your problems into someone else's.

good luck!

With my experience the F&P Vitera mask i think is best for high pressures. It seems better designed.
It's true that with higher pressures you might need to have the straps tighter.