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This is a good reminder how personal so much of this is. No matter how well something may work for each of us personally, it may not work at all for someone else, for very good reasons. Both can be right.

It would seem that one of the manufacturers of masks would come out with some kind of a filter type paper that would absorb excess facial oils that could be fitted under the mask like a template.

Tired Gyy, have you tried using a facial astringent in addition to the face washing before going to bed, perhaps sleeping with the temperature cooler in the room? Just a thought.

What I think is appealing about the HR FF mask is that it doesn't have any forehead bridge, so you can read without obstruction (and also not be claustrophobic, like I am, but the excuse about obstructed reading sounds better). My sleep center recommended the Mirage Vista (plastic headgear and all), and the DME is going to get it for me, so I'll try it and see (no pun intended) and, if that doesn't work, I may spring for the HR.

I had a very helpful telephone conversation with a ResMed patient representative regarding my problems with the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. I'll share what she told me, but I also encourage anyone with questions about a ResMed mask to call directly, as so many issues are specific to a particular user. By the way, I left a message on the answering service and did not expect a call back, but a respiratory therapist returned my call three days later.
About my concern that my second Ultra Mirage FFM was noisy and squeeling and whistling, I was told that a batch of those masks, identified by the month of manufacture, had been shipped with a defect in the valve assembly. Several remedies are available, either through the source from which you obtained the mask, or directly from ResMed. Don't settle for a defective mask! Also, you cannot rely on your DME, whether a local or on-line DME, to be very helpful. It is easier and more profitable for them if a mask problem is defined as a patient problem, worst, as a "compliance" problem.
My other challenge has been mask leak around the eyes. The ResMed person told me to try a strip of "Micro-Foam" tape made by 3-m to help the seal across the bridge of my nose where the mask sits. It does help.
Otherwise, as we continue to share our experiences in order to provide support for each other, I'd just like to emphasize what has been said so effectively before, by others on this forum: you will find a system that will work for you. It is frustrating, sometimes painful, often expensive. But you will find a combination of machine and mask that will work. The mask is the part of the system that is most troublesome for many of us, because our facial structures vary so much, so trial and error is the only way--but trial and error informed by the experiences of others makes the most sense to me.
Thank you for continuing to post to this forum.
plangster

Anonymous wrote:I had a very helpful telephone conversation with a ResMed patient representative regarding my problems...

...--but trial and error informed by the experiences of others makes the most sense to me.
Thank you for continuing to post to this forum.
plangster

I agree with anonymous. Anyone having problems with a mask or other equipment should call the manufacturer directly. When I got my Aura, and realized I needed the XLarge nasal interface, I called Aeiomed and left a message for the product manager. She unexpectedly returned my call, and spent several minutes discussing the mask and its plusses and minuses. In the end, since the xlarge interface is still indevelopment, she offered to send me a beta test unit when one became available. Very helpful, answered all my questions, and took my feedback on what I felt was wrong with the current Aura design.

Also, on using the group to make informed decisions that sure, are trial and error, but taking the information gathered here and applying it judiciously to ones own needs and experience really helps. I am sure I'm adjusting better now in part largely due to what I've learned here and the equipment I purchased as a result.

Hello again. I am not intentionally anonymous or even (one of many) "guests." My username is plangster. I am having trouble logging in and then submitting a post; often, they get through, but without my username.

See, some of us have problems with filters or masks. Some of us have problems with basic computer incompetence.

Signed,
plangster
(who, despite feeling less and less like a guest on this forum, continues having problems identifying himself) Insert emoticon here:

Hi plangster,

Just keep signing your posts, and we'll know who you are.

Welcome to the board.

Hey Tired Guy, Would you like to trade a HD431 FF mask used only 20 minutes for your activa ? PM me if interested.

Chris