Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
phorts
Posts: 65
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:21 pm

Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

Post by phorts » Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:20 pm

So i'm on my 2nd mask (First was Ultra Mirage FF and 2nd was Flexifit 432) and i'll be bringing it back tomorrow to try a new one (Quattro FF?)

I'm a mouth breather and have a failry restricted Nasal passage, an moderate underbite which creates a lack of chin and not overweight (5'11" 185). I have a tall nose bridge and it's quite boney.

Nothing i've found is A. Comfortable, B. Doesn't Leak

Problems with first masks:

1. ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - This mask was non-vented and i had it setup with a pretty bulky set of attachments that may have contributed to the leaking by the extra tension. I'm open to trying it again, but i want to make sure that there's not something better out there for my face structure.

2. FIsher Paykel Flexifit 432 - Under the chin model and, since i have no chin reall, it leaks like a sive in that area. At the fitting it seemed to work great while laying down, but when i got home i felt i had to crank it even harder and i've woken up 2 nights in a row with the mask leaking like CRAZY (70ML/Leak Rate) and the bridge of my nose feeling like i got punched in the face.

I'm desperately looking for a mask that works so i can see if this treatment will work, and the next one i get (tomorrow) is the last before i start having to pay out of pocket.

Any SUggestions, Recommendations or Places to visit for mask reviews would be so very greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much

PS - I have an Adapt SV

_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed VPAP Adapt SV - Non-Vented Mask
Machine: ResMed AutoSet Spirit™ APAP
Mask: RespCare Hybrid Universal Interface w/ Nasal Pillows (New Adaptive Flow version w/ upgraded headgear)
Humidifier: ResMed HumidAire 2i™
Pressure: CPAP set to 7

User avatar
kevincoop
Posts: 138
Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 10:18 pm
Location: Rome, GA/Chattanooga, TN
Contact:

Re: Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

Post by kevincoop » Wed Mar 31, 2010 10:37 pm

I have similar facial features to your description. The quattro fits much better than ultra mirage for me. It has a cutout at the bridge of the nose that puts less pressure but you can tighten the forehead pad to rock the mask away or towards the bridge in 24 positions so it is much more versitile. If that doesnt work, I would go with a liberty or if you are at a low pressure maybe a fitlife. Good luck.

User avatar
Hawthorne
Posts: 3972
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 4:46 am
Location: London Ontario -Canada

Re: Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

Post by Hawthorne » Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:42 am

cpap.com is a good place to go for mask reviews. Just look for a mask and click on "customer reviews" to read reviews.

The problem is that masks are so individual and it takes time to find the one(s) that work for you.

It also takes some time to get adjusted to a mask.

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments:  Backups- FX Nano masks. Backup machine- Airmini auto travel cpap

User avatar
snnnark
Posts: 342
Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2009 12:35 pm
Location: South Africa

Re: Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

Post by snnnark » Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:39 am

phorts wrote: 1. ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - This mask was non-vented and i had it setup with a pretty bulky set of attachments that may have contributed to the leaking by the extra tension. I'm open to trying it again, but i want to make sure that there's not something better out there for my face structure.
Hi Phorts, I was wondering how you are doing.

I don't know if you saw my thread
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50536&p=465129&hili ... rk#p465129
you'll see the pics of my current rebreathe setup. Even with the extra weight of the connectors, having the hose suspended above me means no leaks and it's fairly comfortable. Also the vent is free and not likely to get blocked by sheets, arms, bodies etc

So if that mask works, then that may be the way to go!

_________________
Machine: Airsense 10 Card to Cloud
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Emay EMO-60 oximiter

dtsm
Posts: 1097
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2009 8:34 am
Location: CT

FullLife Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear

Post by dtsm » Thu Apr 01, 2010 6:25 am

I went to my DME about 2 wks ago to try their line-up of FFM. I wanted one as backup in event of cold, sinus congestion, backup mask. None of the usual stand-bys mentioned here worked and then she pulled out a new Respironics - lots of straps but no forehead gear. It was the only one that seemed to fit me....

I ended up walking out with the Swift Fx but will order one of these next replenishment cycle. Check it out here; maybe this will work for you:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... -pack.html

phorts
Posts: 65
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

Post by phorts » Thu Apr 01, 2010 12:43 pm

Thanks everyone for their prompt and insightful responses.

I ended up going with the Quattry FF because of the extra forgiveness in the cushion (i'm a side sleeper) and the adjustable bridge. Hopefully i'll get some good sleep with this puppy.

SNark. I used the Ultra Mirage FF Non Vented for about 3 weeks straight and continually felt worse and worse. I ended up using Klonnopin to help me sleep through the night but it was prescribed to me to help reduce the sensitivity to the CO2 fluctuations causing my centrals (or so it has been theorized).

Either way, subjectively it didnt work and i wanted to go onto a standard Vented mask setup and have yet to find a mask that works... hopefully this will be the one.

When speaking with my doc, i asked her "well what about the centrals?" to which she replied "well the centrals should go away if the obstructive is treated".


Again, a different story.. well..i have the adapt SV and the Quattro FF...so i'm going to give it a solid month ......

we'll see how it goes... wish me luck. and thanks again for all your help.

_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed VPAP Adapt SV - Non-Vented Mask
Machine: ResMed AutoSet Spirit™ APAP
Mask: RespCare Hybrid Universal Interface w/ Nasal Pillows (New Adaptive Flow version w/ upgraded headgear)
Humidifier: ResMed HumidAire 2i™
Pressure: CPAP set to 7

User avatar
Hawthorne
Posts: 3972
Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 4:46 am
Location: London Ontario -Canada

Re: Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

Post by Hawthorne » Thu Apr 01, 2010 5:58 pm

I certainly wish you good luck! Hope this is a good mask for you!

_________________
Machine: DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ P10 Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: DreamStation Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments:  Backups- FX Nano masks. Backup machine- Airmini auto travel cpap

phorts
Posts: 65
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: Mask Recommendations - Reviews?

Post by phorts » Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:12 pm

Ok, so i've had a week to trial my new ResMed Quattro FF Mask. Here's an update

So the first night i used the mask WITH my Dental Device (again it protrudes my lower jaw which opens up the airway. I decided that this was the best way to go so that A: the open airway would only assist with the xPAP treatment and B. It created a more consistent and flat surface for the mask to rest, hopefully reducing the leaks and improving seal and ultimately the therapy.)

So i wake up in the morning and i check my machine for results

Leak: 30
AHI: 0.5


Ok, Leak not good but AHI good. But how much of that AHI is true since it doesnt have the correct seal in order to identify the AHI component?

Night 2 i decided to try without the dental device and let the mask/machine do what it's supposed to do.

Results:

Leak: 3
AHI 3.5


So i've been going back and forth after a couple nights with and a couples nights with and a couple nights without. WHen i use the mouthguard my leak ranges from 15-50 and my AHI ranges from 0-1

When i DONT use the mouthguard my Leak ranges from 0-10 and my AHI from 3-6


I struggle to find a good seal MUCH more when i use the mouthgaurd and it's more comfortable without it, however i dont think the therapy/machine i'm set up on is effectively treating my apnea.


I suppose o could use the mask and set the machine to Straight CPAP, but then i'm paying %6000 for a machine that i could have gotten a 1000 one to do just the same. But if it works, i can always return and just get the
machine for a refund and get a straight cpap. but i tried it in the past and i just didnt get the results i was looking for...granted i only used it for a month on and off....


Again, the docs say i have elements of centrals, hence the inital Rx of the Adapt SV with a non-vented mask, but now they're going back to a vented mask with the aAdapt, and i cant get a good solution in place.


ANyone have any thoughts on this? Is there ANYONE in the world that uses a cpap plus dental device?

_________________
Mask: Ultra Mirage™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Resmed VPAP Adapt SV - Non-Vented Mask
Machine: ResMed AutoSet Spirit™ APAP
Mask: RespCare Hybrid Universal Interface w/ Nasal Pillows (New Adaptive Flow version w/ upgraded headgear)
Humidifier: ResMed HumidAire 2i™
Pressure: CPAP set to 7