Full Face Mask- Suggestions please?

I talk in my sleep and mouth breathe and have been trying to make do with a nasal mask since Dec 2005. I finally made a decision to call my dr for him to send medical necessity for full face mask to the DME. Do any full face mask users have any mask preferences as far as comfort, good seal, lightweight full face masks? I really like the profile lite nasal gel mask and hope there is something comparable in full face masks.

You might want to read Gasp's thread on the Quattro.
I like both the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask (UMFF) and the Quattro.

Den

I have used the Hybrid mask every night for 12 months now.

IMHO, it is just try different ones until you can get one to work for you.

Fischer and Paykel HC431. It just works. No hassles, no leaks, no problems.

I get nice low AHI readings (always under the "normal" value of 5) which means it's effective, its inherent leak is 44 L/min and my machine always shows around 44-46 L/min meaning no significant leaking occurs, and it's comfortable as heck. Can't even tell I'm wearing it. Durable too... I'm using the same mask and seal and headgear for well over a year now.

Key features contributing to its effectiveness include the soft, pliable "flexifit" nose-bridge design, the excellent "glider strap" and single-point forehead rest that allows the mask to maintain its seal no matter how you move your head laterally during the night, the 5-point headgear with crown strap which improves vertical placement stability, the quietness, the good diffuser design on the exhaust port... and lest I forget, the single best feature, the UNDER CHIN design of the seal which is fabulous compared to all the under-the-bottom-lip designs. Also, it comes with all 3 seal sizes in the box, so you can pick the best one for you... no need to order the mask in different sizes; you simply order a 431 and you've got all the sizes to play with, you do NOT have to order a small 431, medium 431 or large 431 and possibly waste your money on the wrong size.

Hope that helps. It's an excellent FF mask.

I love the Universal Hybrid, which is a full face mask. It has a chin flap that I think may help you. My AHI and leak rate has been very low. I also have a Liberty, but haven't tried it yet. I'm going to experiment with it, to see how I like it.

...or if you don't mind you could get a chin strap to keep your mouth shut.

Doug.

[quote="Wulfman..."]You might want to read Gasp's thread on the Quattro.
I like both the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask (UMFF) and the Quattro.
Den

One thing for certain is that what works for one interface wise may not work at all for another. That said, I recommend the ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask as it seals for me(pressure 20) without having to be so tight and despite my turning from side to side. I now forget that I have it on which is as good as this can get. Good luck in your search. Regards

Thanks for the replies. It has been helpful.

Hi, LavenderMist..

I have been using a Liberty FF mask for about a month now, I have tried the UMFF and F&P 431 FF mask, but couldn't get them to stop leaking without applying too much pressure on my lower jaw.

The thing I like most about the Liberty is that it is a nasal pillows FF mask and only puts pressure around the mouth. Also I have been able to use it to stop mouth leaking and snoring by applying Saran wrap to the mouth cushion or to the mouth before applying the mask. My AHI usually runs 3 or under, night before last, got a 0 AHI, good night for me.

Some like the liberty, some don't. I like it because I can use it as a FF mask and nasal mask that prevents mouthing leaking and snoring, hope this helps.

Dan

Is there a way you can try on several different ones? One way to do this is to find a hospital with a sleep clinic and ask if they do mask fittings. I had to call a number of places in SE Michigan and found two. The one I went to was great and I got to try on a number of masks and talk with the sleep techs there about the various masks. This was a free service though some charge a nominal fee. The other way is to find a DME that will let you try several.

That way, you could know for sure which ones don't fit. Though you really do have to spend some time with a mask to find out if it will work for you in most cases.

I am waiting for the "soon to be released" Hans Rudolph V2.....should be out any day now. They say it will create the perfect seal.

Cliff

RosemaryB, my DME rep will bring several when he comes out to fit me with me new mask. My insurance is such that my PCP has to fax a letter of medical necessity anytime I order cpap supplies/masks. Usually they are just shipped to me unless it is a mask and then the rep comes out and has a few to try. Knowing which ones people prefer it makes it easier to tell him which ones I'd like him to bring for me to try.

I definitely don't think I can do the hybrid mask that has nasal pillows. I tried doing the Lyra and after wearing a couple of hours I woke up with the inside of my nose killing me. I tried it again several times and even put lube in my nose, lol. I guess I'm just not cut out for having anything in my nose.

The full face mask still scares me because I'm afraid I"ll feel claustrophobic and also I worry about power going out an asphyxiating. I read one incident where that happened and I guess that has stuck with me. I've got to have a mask that will give me the benefit of the therapy though instead of air going out my mouth, so here I go headed for the full face mask.

LavenderMist wrote:RosemaryB, my DME rep will bring several when he comes out to fit me with me new mask. My insurance is such that my PCP has to fax a letter of medical necessity anytime I order cpap supplies/masks. Usually they are just shipped to me unless it is a mask and then the rep comes out and has a few to try. Knowing which ones people prefer it makes it easier to tell him which ones I'd like him to bring for me to try.

I definitely don't think I can do the hybrid mask that has nasal pillows. I tried doing the Lyra and after wearing a couple of hours I woke up with the inside of my nose killing me. I tried it again several times and even put lube in my nose, lol. I guess I'm just not cut out for having anything in my nose.

The full face mask still scares me because I'm afraid I"ll feel claustrophobic and also I worry about power going out an asphyxiating. I read one incident where that happened and I guess that has stuck with me. I've got to have a mask that will give me the benefit of the therapy though instead of air going out my mouth, so here I go headed for the full face mask.

All full face masks have anti-asphyxia valves of some sort and what you're fearing is impossible. When the pressure drops, you end up breathing unpressurized room air.
If you're really afraid of a power outage, you should have a UPS (battery backup) which are not expensive.
I'd have more of a claustrophobic feeling with a nasal mask and my mouth taped shut.

Den

LavenderMist wrote:...........

I definitely don't think I can do the hybrid mask that has nasal pillows. I tried doing the Lyra and after wearing a couple of hours I woke up with the inside of my nose killing me. I tried it again several times and even put lube in my nose, lol. I guess I'm just not cut out for having anything in my nose.
..............

I am sorry you are having these troubles but most of us took a while to find the right mask and get the whole process working correctly.

Regarding nasal pillows, they are not designed to fit in the nose. They maintain a seal on the outside of the nostrils.

Good luck.

LavenderMist wrote:RosemaryB, my DME rep will bring several when he comes out to fit me with me new mask. My insurance is such that my PCP has to fax a letter of medical necessity anytime I order cpap supplies/masks. Usually they are just shipped to me unless it is a mask and then the rep comes out and has a few to try. Knowing which ones people prefer it makes it easier to tell him which ones I'd like him to bring for me to try.

OK, that's great that they will bring the ones you ask for. I did do some research on this board to try to figure out which masks I'd like to try with my DME and also when I went for the hospital mask fitting. That way, I ruled out those that were clearly not going to work. I didn't expect to like the NA II, though, and that has become my favorite mask so far. I only tried this because it was available to me and Babette had raved so about it. Plus, it doesn't sit on your cheeks or your sinuses.

I definitely don't think I can do the hybrid mask that has nasal pillows. I tried doing the Lyra and after wearing a couple of hours I woke up with the inside of my nose killing me. I tried it again several times and even put lube in my nose, lol. I guess I'm just not cut out for having anything in my nose.

It may be that you are wearing it wrong. I've never heard of the Lyra. It's not sold on cpap.com. Is it a prong type mask or a pillows? They are different. The prong or cannula type is the one that goes in the nose. The pillows are very different and the nose kind of rests on top of it, that is, it goes at the opening of the nares. I've tried quite a few of the pillows and some seem to be comfortable and others not (I tried them at the mask fittings mostly). I mean the pillow part itself can vary quite a bit. So, there is a lot of trial and error as others have said.

The full face mask still scares me because I'm afraid I"ll feel claustrophobic and also I worry about power going out an asphyxiating. I read one incident where that happened and I guess that has stuck with me. I've got to have a mask that will give me the benefit of the therapy though instead of air going out my mouth, so here I go headed for the full face mask.

I did get a UPS system because we were having a lot of power outages right after I got my mask. (none during the time I was sleeping) I just didn't want to be awakened by the power going out on a work night, it was enough of an adjustment just using the equipment. Once I got it, there were no more outages Kind of like washing your car and it rains.

I really think you will be able to get used to it if you relax fully and try to keep it on for a very short time. It may take time, but you will make steady progress in those baby steps. Post how it goes, especially if you are having trouble, so we can help you trouble shoot.

ETA: I should also say, post successes with your efforts, too. We love to hear those!

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