Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:28 pm
Nothing to apologize for, Cathy.
Different masks suit different people.
I struggled with two brands of FF masks my first six months...hanging my head off the edge of a pillow to try to keep the massive amounts of plastic shell from digging through the mask cushion into my cheek.
My uncomfortable 5 or 6 months of sleeping in Full Face masks doesn't mean others wouldn't like them. I sure didn't. Nor have I liked any FF mask I've tried since then. But I'll keep trying each new one, as I think it's always good to have a go-to FF mask in the stash when a person has congestion from a cold or allergies that could preclude any nasal breathing at all.
Later, when I discovered tape for my mouth and the Breeze with nasal pillows, I finally was able to sleep comfortably on my side. What a relief!! A year after that, when I got the Twilight NP mask (then called the Aura) and continued taping, I was finally able to sleep almost exactly like pre-cpap, with the side of my face snuggled down flat against the head pillow. Sheer comfort...for me.
I understand what the Guest is getting at... that talk of "resorting to" a FF mask makes it sound like something awful. But ya know -- if a person has found a nasal or nasal pillows mask that is comfortable, but the person mouth breathes, then turning to a Full Face mask may (or may not) be awful. Would be for me, having experienced masks I like much better than any FF mask I've tried. Having a mask you can wear comfortably is pretty darn important.
I've never thought FF masks were second class masks. Or that FF mask users are second-class citizens. Anyone who has found a mask that works well for him/her is definitely traveling first class along the CPAP road!
As long as the only alternatives the medical professionals offer mouth breathers is a choice of "Full Face mask or a Chin Strap" I feel sorry for a lot of people trying to get comfortable sleeping on their side. Sure narrows their choices of finding whatever mask might be comfortable for them and let them sleep well. That mask might very well be a FF mask. Or... some other kind.
Den, you're first class in my book. Always have been. You FF wearin', single pressure user, you!!!
Different masks suit different people.
I struggled with two brands of FF masks my first six months...hanging my head off the edge of a pillow to try to keep the massive amounts of plastic shell from digging through the mask cushion into my cheek.
My uncomfortable 5 or 6 months of sleeping in Full Face masks doesn't mean others wouldn't like them. I sure didn't. Nor have I liked any FF mask I've tried since then. But I'll keep trying each new one, as I think it's always good to have a go-to FF mask in the stash when a person has congestion from a cold or allergies that could preclude any nasal breathing at all.
Later, when I discovered tape for my mouth and the Breeze with nasal pillows, I finally was able to sleep comfortably on my side. What a relief!! A year after that, when I got the Twilight NP mask (then called the Aura) and continued taping, I was finally able to sleep almost exactly like pre-cpap, with the side of my face snuggled down flat against the head pillow. Sheer comfort...for me.
I understand what the Guest is getting at... that talk of "resorting to" a FF mask makes it sound like something awful. But ya know -- if a person has found a nasal or nasal pillows mask that is comfortable, but the person mouth breathes, then turning to a Full Face mask may (or may not) be awful. Would be for me, having experienced masks I like much better than any FF mask I've tried. Having a mask you can wear comfortably is pretty darn important.
I've never thought FF masks were second class masks. Or that FF mask users are second-class citizens. Anyone who has found a mask that works well for him/her is definitely traveling first class along the CPAP road!
As long as the only alternatives the medical professionals offer mouth breathers is a choice of "Full Face mask or a Chin Strap" I feel sorry for a lot of people trying to get comfortable sleeping on their side. Sure narrows their choices of finding whatever mask might be comfortable for them and let them sleep well. That mask might very well be a FF mask. Or... some other kind.
Den, you're first class in my book. Always have been. You FF wearin', single pressure user, you!!!