Full Face Masks vs the Alternatives

I wish I could wear a full face mask. It would definitely make things easier. But the 2 that I've tried so far were way too noisy for my sweetie. I've had the most success with the FP407 nasal mask.

So for those of you who prefer the nasal gear like a Swift, what happens when you get a cold or allergy with continual nasal drip or congestion? How effective are they with higher pressures above 15 cm?

I get the bit about talking I suppose, but then again I put on my mask only when I'm ready to sleep, and talk on the phone while wearing it only if giving instructions on where to leave the ransom money. I only wake up needing a drink if I've been having nightmares about the status of my retirement investments and that's why I moved the liquor cabinet into the bedroom.

What put me off the idea of even trying out the nasal type mask was the thought of having to wear a chinstrap and tape over my mouth, maybe having to use some form of salve on my nares. Perhaps if I had the same difficulty as some of you reported with an FFM, I would have looked at the alternatives, but I can't help believing that a proper fitting full face mask is the preferred first option for any new user.

My pressure runs from 14 to 18, my AI's have been consistently less than .3 and my leak rate is now averaging at .1 The mask is a small Mirage Quattro that gets a quick bath in Palmolive dish detergent every two weeks whether it needs it or not.

I cycle through sleeping on either side and my back with no significant impact on my leakage rate; and when I go to work in the morning there are no strap marks on my cheeks and that nose is still something a mother could be proud of.

I realize that I've been lucky and chalk it up to finding a good fitting full face mask because I believed that would be the better long term solution, I wonder how many users of alternatives were actually relieved that they weren't forced to use an FFM to benefit from CPAP therapy?

Paul

spitintheocean wrote:In another thread I raised the question as to why anyone would choose an alternative mask type over a full face mask.

Surely with the variety of FFM configurations out there, unless you're Jay Leno, it's just a question of finding one that fits. There's no shame in wearing a "small". Perhaps some of you like to smoke in bed or talk in your sleep?

Seriously, I can understand the initial reluctance to cover your mouth but rationalizing that somehow an FFM weighs significantly more than a nasal mask or is more prone to leaks seems a bit of a stretch when one factors that honking big hose tied anchored to either solution.

What put me off the idea of even trying out the nasal type mask was the thought of having to wear a chinstrap and tape over my mouth, maybe having to use some form of salve on my nares. Perhaps if I had the same difficulty as some of you reported with an FFM, I would have looked at the alternatives, but I can't help believing that a proper fitting full face mask is the preferred first option for any new user.

Rationalizing, anyone?

O.

ozij wrote:Rationalizing, anyone?

O.

So is that the extent of your contribution to the subject?

What would you like to talk about since you so clearly have nothing to offer on the question as posed?

Many visitors to this forum do so for information to assist them in their decision as to which equipment may be best for them as they are about to begin their therapy. There is no shortage of information available about the subject of generators but I saw little to assist in the decision as to which type of mask to use. Yet we know that leaking masks are the single greatest cause of the premature failure of CPAP therapy.

This thread was an attempt to stimulate such a discussion that would reveal more than "different strokes for different folks" or "whichever one makes you feel good" as though the average new patient had the same opportunity to try out the wide variety of available mask options like he or she would choosing golf clubs. Why did experienced members opt for nasal masks? How important are the reasons for choosing one system versus another? What do you give up when you settle for one system versus the other?

I can only contribute about what I know and that's the full face mask system and raise the questions and concerns that I have about the nasal plugs/masks since my DME didn't even offer me that as an option. I presumed that members would be willing to provide their insights as to why opt for one system over the other. The idea was to produce a resource that the next new visitor would easily find with a simple search. So far I'm pleased with their responses and receiving an education, well at least I was, until your post.

But you're probably right, why bother attempting to contribute something to the forum as payback for the valuable advice that I did receive from experienced members here? Next time instead of self-deprecating humor, I'll have to try a soupcon of smug, self-superiority to mask my hidden insecurities.

Paul

You did say people who preferred masks that were not full face were rationalizing - and you did not seem to consider it an insult when you said it of others.
I thought there was something humorous in the fact that you said others were rationlizing, and yet it was clearly you who was not speaking from experience of any other type of mask.

On the other thread you said

spitintheocean wrote:It's my understanding that whether you breathe through your mouth or your nose, you've only got a single air passage, so your expiration issue probably won't be affected by mask style, but you may need a Bi-Pap machine or at least one with EPR or C-Flex to ensure pressure relief while exhaling.

For the life of me I don't understand why everyone doesn't use a full face mask since the hose tethered to your face completely negates any benefit from a smaller nasal fitting ......... never mind the entire mouth breathing issue which prompts chin straps, etc.

Aside from the obvious psychological adjustment to an FFM, what am I missing?

Paul

And were given some factual info which I colored in the quote - which you seem to have ignored:

Guest wrote:You are missing a lot.

Full face mask does not seal as well on my face. My face itches and I cannot scratch, it is hot, it is heavy, it is harder to get on among other things.

<snip>

My contribution to this discussion meant to point out the fact that : the majority of people preferred other masks because they tried them.

I apologize for hurting your feelings, I guess you do consider "rationalization" an insult.


O.

It would have been a more helpful thread if you had not started with the premise that your way is the best way and why would anyone use any but a full face mask.

No one needs to rationalize why they use the mask they do. People find what works best for them, through trial and error, and that's what they use.

I love how you move the thread and then quote only part of what I said. I gave you what you asked for (reasons I like my nasal pillow) and I have actually USED a ff mask for quite a while, have you? I then reacted to your all-knowing smug statement with which you began your post like you had all the answers and gee, why would anyone do anything other than what I KNOW IS BEST.

So while I was a bit glib, you were much more arrogant in your original post and yes, I could not resist handing some back to you. Try both kinds of mask or ask in a reasonable way what you want to know and don't pontificate about the virtues of the FF mask for all shapes and sizes and types of people.

BTW thanks oz for requoting me.

How did I get to be a guest?

Guest wrote:How did I get to be a guest?

You must have logged out. When I log in, I check the box to automatically log me in each time...

Bearcat42 wrote:When y'all talk about using tape to fix leaks just what is meant by that? Where is it applied?

They're talking about tape placed over the mouth, to prevent mouth breathing and/or mouth air leaks while wearing a non-FF mask.

LINKS to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

I mouth breathe during sleep. When I first got started I had to use a FF mask (Full Face mask...covers nose and mouth so you can get treatment either way...breathing through nose or breathing through mouth.)

I hated the two Full Face masks I used for the first five months or so. Respironics ComfortFull and ResMed Ultra Mirage FF (that was the better of the two for me.) What I disliked most about both of them was the bulkiness. I am almost exclusively a side sleeper, and I hated the way I could no longer lay the side of my face flat against my head pillow. For those first months I slept uncomfortably, trying to hang the front of the mask off the edge of my pillow. Also fought leaks, discomfort from mask pushing against side of face, noise from mask leaks that sprang out almost constantly. Tried different cushion sizes of both masks.

All along I had been reading (on a different message board -- this was back before cpaptalk got started) about side sleepers loving the Breeze nasal pillows mask. Also was reading about people taping their mouths shut, so that they could wear non-FF masks if they were mouth breathers at night. Finally got up the nerve to buy a Breeze. Tried chin straps first, but continued to mouth breathe like crazy. Finally got up more nerve and taped my mouth shut. The Breeze with my mouth taped was the most comfortable night of sleep I'd had since I started "cpap." It was WONDERFUL.

Still wasn't able to completely put the side of my face down on my pillow with the Breeze, but the whole setup was sooooooo much more comfortable and leak proof for me than the two Full Face masks I'd been struggling with.

Later, when the Headrest mask came out (it's first name was the Aura) I found the mask that suited me perfectly... with tape over my mouth. With that mask I can sleep with the side of my face burrowed into the pillow. So for me, it's purely a comfort issue that keeps me taping my mouth. I love the sheer comfort of using a mask that lets me sleep in any position I wish, and with very few leaks (thanks to a homemade strap to keep the nasal pillows in place.)

Oh, I've tried several other FF masks in the meantime, in case there was one that would be comfy enough to switch to. Have tried F&P 431, Quattro, Liberty, Hybrid, Mojo, Hans Rudolph. I'm sticking with (no pun intended! LOL) the mouth tape and Headrest mask that have let me sleep quite comfortably for years now.

Full Face masks suit some people just fine. When that's the case, I can understand why a satisfied FF mask user would wonder why everyone who mouth breathes doesn't just get a FF mask. Tape and any other kind of mask just happen to let me sleep more comfortably than in any FF mask I've tried to use. People are different.

Everyone is so different. For hubby's titration they started him with a nasal mask, saw immediately that he was a mouth breather, put the chin strap on him and he immediately got agitated and made them take it off. When they put a FF on him he said, OK, that's much better and went on to have a good study. That was the ComfortGel and he never was able to get it to be comfortable at home, so we tried the Quattro, nose bridge sores and not enough airflow, so finally the UltraMirageFF. There's no rationalization involved, just whatever it takes to get good therapy.

RestedGal & DoriC,
Thanks for the great information. Even though I didnt start this thread I have gotten alot of questions answered through it. I am not too sure about placing tape over my mouth though. I do occasionally mouth breathe so a FFM may be what I have to do. The only positive thing about that is that I have used positive pressure FFM and respirators at work so it is not entirely strange to me. In the military it was Fire fighting masks or gas masks so I dont have to deal with claustrophobia, but taping may bring about a feeling of suffocation, which I cannot deal with.
I am interested in nasal masks or pillows because of the comfort issue. Like you, I want to be able to rest my head on my pillow. How do you tape the pillows though? I dont understand that part. Thanks again.