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No answer for my situation: I wore the OptiLife in my PSG; it was comfortable, so I chose it when I picked up my CPAP, no one chose it for me. Tech had a bunch of other masks for me to try but the OptiLife fit so well, I wasn't interested in trying them.

I did not find an option to fit my situation either.....

My titration....comfort gel nasal mask (I think) sat on my sinuses and gave me a headache....but also showed that I was good at nose breathing..... best sleep in decades even with the sinus crushing headache!!! very focused the next day!!!

Sleep doc name recommended a mask, and RT brought that and the latest model...the Swift LT, and we discussed my sleep positions (both sides and stomach) and determined that the LT was more versatile ..... (wouldn't let me open the package or try it on before deciding!!)

first and only mask.....

J

I tried a bunch of masks the day of my titration, then settled on the CL2.

I have since used the Headrest. Also the Zzz-mask full face. And tried briefly, an Oracle.

Let's see, in order:

ComfortGel Nasal
Swift LT
Quattro
Mirage Micro
Mirage Liberty
Mirage Activa LT
Hybrid
Ultra Mirage FF

I'm mainly using the UMFF but am having a hard time controlling leaks and sleeping on my side. The Swift LT is my backup as I get consistent but average performance from it. Truth be told, I felt the best with the ComfortGel but it roughs up my nose like no other. The Micro also gave me good results but it roughed up the sides of my nose. That's one I would mind trying again as I only had it for 1 week and 5 of those days were spent healing.

Okay, I just voted. I put up the poll and didn't vote until now.

In retrospect, I probably should have worded things a tad differently as it would have been interesting to see how many are still working through the different masks and included them.

I used the word "perfect" for lack of being able to think of another term that means you settled on the one that causes you the least amount of stress and aggravation. Is there such a thing as a truly "perfect" mask -- I doubt it since most of us have to modify the masks in some way to get a better fit. Someone would get rich if they could design and sell at a reasonable cost a mask that was "perfect" without modifications, fixes, etc.

I am off to work so have a good day!!

I chose 2-3..but I have tried more just to see.
Initially tried a nasal only mask (unknown name but probably a Respironics since that seems to be the equipment they used) at the titration study but the pressure across my nose caused immediate nasal congestion and I had to stop the study after 20 minutes and request my original choice of nasal pillows. They gave me the Optilife and the study was completed with it and I came home with it. It was okay but didn't fit my head the greatest. Used for about one week.

So then got a Swift LT for Her at the DME a week later. So it was sort of my third mask to try and it continues to probably be my best. So while it was the first the DME gave me, it wasn't the first to be tried or used. With so many of us getting masks from other sources maybe the DME should be taken out of the poll wording.

Followed up with trying Nasal Aire II prongs, Hybrid and the Opus 360. The Opus would be my next best mask. I tend to have a few more leaks with it but not always. Sometimes it is perfect. The Swift LT is much less likely to have leaks of any significance. Though I love the minimal footprint on my face of the Opus. So it is a close race. The Nasal Aire II prongs do a good job also but I don't like the headgear and I struggle with making it secure without the headgear. The Hybrid can be used but it has been delegated to emergency status. I simply like the nasal pillow only masks better. A brief trial with the Nasal Aire Free Style needs to be redone to see if I can make them be more stable but I may be an in between size with it. If no luck I may offer it in a test drive if someone wants to try it.

i stoped searching after 8-9 only because of Rested gal & others put me on to the headrest , changing from the swift II because of exhaust issues. i have faithfully stuck with the headrest since , even though i get tired of messing with this crap every night....but then i think of the alternative

if you try different sizes of the same mask should that count as just one mask?

Uncle_Bob wrote:if you try different sizes of the same mask should that count as just one mask?

I'd say yes, as its not the same physical mask.

I counted different sizes of the same mask as just one mask.

A related question is how long did it take you to settle on your preferred mask(s)? I know a lot of people only have 30 days to exchange masks to find one that works for them.

It took me about two weeks to find that the Swift LT with a chin strap was workable as my primary mask configuration, but about 2.5 months to decide that the Hybrid was going to be my full-face backup.

I'm hoping I won't ever need a non-nasal-pillow configuration, because I don't have one!

I began BIPAP therapy in May of 2009, and I've been through seven full face masks:
FlexiFit HC431
Ultra Mirage Full Face
Zzz-Mask
ComfortGel Full Face
Mirage Liberty
Hans Rudolph 7600 Series V2
Hybrid


I've settled for the Hybrid, and while I don't consider it "perfect"...it's the best I've tried, followed not-so-closely by the Zzz-Mask, which is my back-up.
The worst for me was the ComforGel FF. It eventually got my nose infected and it moved my bottom teeth back a good bit and that was in a little over a week.
Oh...and the FlexiFit HC431 left my face looking like it went through a windscreen...with actual cuts in the skin because I had to tighten it so much -- and I tried all three sized cushions. Hmmm. Maybe that was the worst experience for me...
Nah, teeth moving is pretty bad.

I checked 4 because that's how many i've tried. In reality, I keep going back to my first and third (Swift LT and Opus 360) because they seem to work the best for me. I have tried the Hybrid and the FullLife - neither of which worked for me - AT ALL.

I won't say the LT or the Opus are "perfect", but so far - they are as close as I have gotten.

Now if I can just find something to do with my "gently used" masks. Halloween costume maybe?

It does get to a point where you feel like nothing will work....but DME didin't give up on me so I didn't give up either Here is my list:
Quatro
Mirage Liberty
Comfort Fit
Comfort full Gel
F&P HC431
F&P Forma Fit


F&P Forma Fit makes me feel like Goldilocks finding the right bed, it fits just right and no leakage.

I

sleepycarol wrote: I used the word "perfect" for lack of being able to think of another term that means you settled on the one that causes you the least amount of stress and aggravation. Is there such a thing as a truly "perfect" mask

I agree I spent ages looking for the "perfect" wife, in the end I choose the one that causes me the the least amount of stress and aggravation

Not vote, but I have 3 near purrfectly workable masks for me...........I first selected the Mirage Micro because I was only receptive to a nasal mask.........then I decided I should have a FF Mask as a back up for the rainy days....oh, I meant stuffy days, then I decided to play and purchased a Swift LT for her. Like Wulfman, I put a lot of research into my mask selection then added luck, all three work equally well for me.

elg5cats