CPAPtalk.com

https://thesleepspot.co.nz/products/fp- ... nasal-mask

Currently I am using a F&P Evora full face mask and it is comfortable , working fine and best (by far) of the few I have used .

I am now considering trying a compact nasal only mask (as linked)...in the never ending search for more comfort and better results(maybe).

I never was told why I was "prescribed" a full face mask at the beginning of my CPAP journey and I did not ask , because I knew nothing at that point.

As always...any thoughts , pros/cons, on these different types please and especially reviews of this particular mask from anyone using them.

Thank you.

EDIT- RESULTS- REVIEW

So I went ahead and took a punt on trying a new style mask..specifically https://thesleepspot.co.nz/products/fp- ... nasal-mask from full face version.

Mask arrived and it sure is small and compact. Would add that it was also comfortable, simple to fit and unencumbering.

First night ...I changed settings to nasal mask from full face but left everything else as regards pressures etc ...so I had a benchmark.
From the get go I was aware this was different and mainly...air could could exude from an open mouth. I was surprised how much in fact..but I went ahead and slept well although air did escape enough to make me wonder if this was going to work for me. I bet most others would be surprised about the air volume

Sleep report in the morning was identical and exactly in the range of my previous full face mask.

2nd night..I decided to perservere and quickly learnt how to control open mouth and air escape ( gush) before I slept. Simple matter of light tongue lift to upper palate ..and went on to discover that I could also lick my lips , moisten my mouth/ gums, open my mouth as wide as possible..ie total open mouth control without air leak. ( Awesome) Best of all..that feeling of no mask over my lips and the simple comfort of a soft nasal pillow without nostril intrusions. Very comfortable.

Have continued and results great in regard to my own historic results.

I am convinced that I have trained myself to go from full face to nasal over time becuase its instinctive and natural for me to cope with this. Great sleep is the goal and in my case..the resilt.

FFMs are for users who either breathe or leak air through the mouth. The machine might not be able to maintain the therapeutic pressure.

If you have this problem when using a nasal mask, you will have to find a solution. Some of our members use mouth tape, cervical collars, chin straps, and/or oral devices.

If you can keep your lips sealed without added accessories, you should be able to find a nasal mask that is more comfortable than a FFM.

I have no real idea if I keep my mouth shut all the time whilst asleep (does anyone?).... but while awake, I consider and believe I am a nose breather most of the time.

Overtime I have experienced far less dry mouth and dry lip events from sleeping with my CPAP . I feel as if I have trained myself somewhat to focus on nose breathing.

I guess the only way to find out is to invest in the nasal mask and try. Comparison of the AHI events and my continuing "wellness" should tell the story...RIGHT?

I certainly have no intention of mouth taping or any other solution, just to change mask from what is working currently. I sleep very well.

Craig H wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 24, 2025 11:50 pm

Comparison of the AHI events and my continuing "wellness" should tell the story...RIGHT?

Might, or you might wake up shortly after going to sleep with air rushing out of your terribly dry mouth.

I wish you success in using a nasal mask.

BTW, the forum's sponsor's website is a good place to view nasal masks. Pick one that has high ratings and is popular. https://www.cpap.com/collections/nasal-cpap-masks

Most people mouth breathe when they have apnea because of air hunger. Once they are getting appropriate treatment for their apnea, the need to mouth breathe goes away unless you have issues like sinus congestion or nasal polyps or some other problem.

You will be able to see on your data if you are mouth breathing. The noise of air rushing out of your mouth may wake you or a sleeping partner if you open your mouth during sleep, and you may wake with a very dry mouth if you are mouth breathing. If necessary, before you try taping, or a chin strap, you may be able to "train" yourself by consciously keeping your tongue on the room of your mouth all day unless you are eating or talking. This can carry over into night time. Try that particularly since you say you nose breathe most of the time during the day.

Nasal masks are nice because they are so much more comfortable and easy to wear without leaking, since the surface area that must seal the mask is much smaller on a nasal mask.

Hope it works out for you.

Thanks for posting this, as I only recently switched to a nasal mask, from a FFM and nasal pillow. I was prescribed nasal pillows when I started using a CPAP device 2 1/2 years ago. I had success in the first year using the AirFit N30. But eventually I didn't want to deal with a sore nose right inside my nasal passages. If I loosened up the head strap enough to reduce pressure on my nose, I would often get leaks. Tightening them up brought better performance but then every morning I'd had a sore nose which I treated with nipple cream. So approximately one year ago I decided to switch to a full face mask. I have had good results with it on the plus side. On the minus side, I would get a very dry mouth and lips at times. Also I'd wake up in the morning with very heavy creases on my face, from existing vertical wrinkles along my nose and the FFM made them worse.

So a couple of nights ago I tried the nasal pillows again, and again woke up with the sensation that my hose had been pushed in. Last night I tried the AirFit N20 again. It was very comfortable. But throughout the night I could feel air coming up from the end of the small tube that clips to the nasal cushion. I experienced this before and bought a new one, thinking there was a leak. Yet even with the new one there is constant air flowing out from vents in the quick release elbow. What is going wrong?

HTTR wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 13, 2025 7:26 am

Yet even with the new one there is constant air flowing out from vents in the quick release elbow. What is going wrong?

Nothing. Those are exhalation ports that prevent rebreathing of air.