Looking for New Mask

Morning,

i have been thinking about getting a new mask. I am wearing the FlexiFit
HC 407 Nasal CPAP Mask. I have been useing this mask since Oct 2007.
I have tried the Nasal Pillow Masks. I cann't have something up my nose.
I am looking for a mask that don't have something that lays on my forehead. Lately my mask has been a pain in the backside. If anyone can help me with this problem. I know that I am asking alot. Just some ideas that all. Everything else is going great. Thank You. [/b]

First of all … with the diversity of facial features and sizes, each mask fits most people differently. Therefore, the number of ideas you get will be almost as many as there are types and sizes of masks. So what fits others does not mean it will fit you.

Secondly, your requirements of nothing up your nose or on your forehead limits the choices down to about one … the Opus oral interface. However, only a few people are able to tolerate it as it requires very high humidity in order not to dry out your mouth and throat. In addition, there may be severe drooling issues with this mask.

You need to ask yourself why you cannot have anything up your nose or on your forehead and see if maybe you are just not adjusting the nasal pillows or forehead support correctly.

Good luck!

I have been using the Vista mask. It is a nasal mask and not a pillow or prong type and it does not have the forehead piece.

It is lightweight and comfortable. So far it is my favorite mask.

Well, its not that I can't have something on my forehead, my problem is I don't do well w/anything at the bridge of my nose. Pressure or weight at the bridge of my nose spurs my sinuses into action.

What has worked for me is one of the oldest Resmed masks, the Simplicity. It is a simple nasal cushion, i.e. no thin outer cover over a thick cushion. It is extremely lightweight, probably the lightest weight mask on the market. It sits slightly down the nose from the bridge and to the bottom of the nose.

The headgear is nothing but straps. The upper straps do fit across the forehead.

I did have to do two "fixes" to my Simplicity, but if "I" could figure them out and do them ANYBODY can!

The center strap is way too long. Even for someone w/a large head I would guess. I just put a fold in the center of the center strap and held it in place w/a velcro strip until I found the right length for me. I ended cutting out about 2" from the center of the strap. Then just velcro the two ends back together.

The other problem was that for some unknown reason Respironics in their infinite wisdom didn't think to taper the velcro ends of the two bottom straps. So, unless you were VERY careful place the velcro on the strap the velcro tends to rub your neck. NOT COMFORTABLE! Again an easy "fix" just use your scissors to taper the velcro ends yourself.

Its one of the cheaper masks at about $75 on cpap.com

It is so lightweight, there is so little to it, and it comes w/a clip so that you can route your hose above your head like the Breeze and ComfortLite 2 or to your PJs if you prefer your hose down towards your chest or just don't use the clip at all.

My sleep lab manager who has had years of experience fitting masks was surprised I like and do so well w/the Simplicity so be forewarned I, evidently, am in the minority w/the my love affair w/my Simplicity Petite.

One other thing, if you would like to try the Simplicity but want to be able to take it back for exchange or trade it to someone else if you end up not liking it after trying it. Just use the velcro to hold the fold in the center strap. I used it like that for probably a good month before I to around to cutting the fold out. As a matter of fact, if you don't have any velcro strips around and don't mind NOT running the hose above your head, you can use the hose clip which has some velcro on it to hold the fold in the center strap. I did that until I got around to remembering to buy some velcro on one of my trips into town.

I wore the HC 407 for a year and loved it, but then it started leaking. Problem was, I had to tighten the straps down a lot to keep it from leaking when the headgear got old and loose. (which was not long after getting a new one)
I switched to the Activa and really liked it. When fitted properly, the forehead pads barely graze your head. They rest ever so lightly, and you wouldn't feel them at all. Seriously, you almost don't have to use the straps because the mask seals so well. It's big and cushy and comfy.
There are some downsides, of course (there are with any mask) . It is rather bulky and it has a "pulsing" feeling, which some find hard to get used too. Others, like me, are lulled into sleep by the action.
I would give it a try, if I were you. A lot of people really love it.

touch base with some of the sleep wearver users............it is different than the rest of the cpap masks. I had a a problem with the 407 forhead cushions. I having a much better time with the UMFF forehead cushions. I can change the angle and it makes quite a difference. I alternate between the Ultra Mirage and a Hybrid, but the hybrid does enter the nares slightly.

FirstTimer wrote:Morning,

i have been thinking about getting a new mask. I am wearing the FlexiFit
HC 407 Nasal CPAP Mask. I have been useing this mask since Oct 2007.
I have tried the Nasal Pillow Masks. I cann't have something up my nose.

I'm wondering if your masks were fitted properly. A pillows mask does not fit up the nose, but rather sits against the opening of the nostrils.

Let us know what problems you have with things up your nose or on your forehead? I can't wear a nasal mask or a regular full face mask because it causes facial pain to have something pressing, even gently alongside my nose. I had one for the sleep study and woke with a killer headache (I wasn't someone with morning headaches). So I only use a hybrid type mask or a pillows mask.

However, some pillows masks are very uncomfortable for me, depending on the angle of the pillows and other aspects of the mask. Some are very comfortable for me, like the Swift or Bravo, or my current mask, the Headrest.

However, I disliked the headgear for the Headrest, but with the modifications it's a dream. A lot of work and money, but no regrets in either with getting it to work.

To reiterate Rosemary above, the nasal pillows do not go up your nose. They rest at the opening and when inflated, form a seal without going up your nostril. I use the Mirage Swift II and its fantastic. Does not feel constraining at all. You should try one on. You need to have the air go thru it to see what I mean. And don't listen to the DME on pillow size, they told me I was a small, I had all kinds of problems with small pillows. Went with forum advice and moved to a medium pillow and 2yrs later I'm very happy. I started with the original Mirage Swift and just last week upgraded to the Mirage Swift II, and the II is vastly improved.

When I did my sleep study I couldn't handle the air blowing straight up my nose but did better with a nasal mask. I had to tape my mouth and try to keep the air out of my eyes. Last visit to the DME, I got a Liberty mask that I just love. Nothing is up by my eyes and no more taping. The air does go straight in my nose but I don't even feel it. I would never go back to the other type.