FF Masks/vs pillows vs nasal mask

I presnetly use a Resmed M series auto with a FF Quatro mask. My pressure ramps from 4 cfm to 14. Most of the time the leak rate is about 37lpm with AHI of just below 5. I am also a mouth breather. My question is, is there one better type of mask to try to get to use than another? I often find with full face masks that when you get to higher pressure, and you move, they often leak making noise, which in turn wakes me up. If you you a nose mask, you either tape you mouth or have it held closed with straps. I have not tried nasal pillows yet but am willing . So if you were to have someone that can use almost any type of system, or is willing to work through the kinks, would any of you recommend one type over the other? Yes I know that most times it is a personal preference, but is the therapy better on one or another, what about leak rate etc? Thanks

According to most Specialists... you do or should breathe through your nose unless there's a reason not to...
It helps with humidification through the nasal passages and nose hairs...

The best mask you can get/use is the one that is comfortable and doesn't leak.
From your description... its sounds like its comfortable and doesn't cause you problems.
I'm also guessing that you use a Respironics M Series not ResMed...
the difference is the Respironics does not subtract the mask you use...
So your Leak rate of 37 l/min is about perfect for your noted Pressure.

So why switch ?? If you want a change buy a travel case or something...

Don't put yourself through the trouble of switching unless you just want some back-up.
Perhaps a Nasal Pillows and Chin Strap ??

Nord

Try the Hybrid FFM, it combines pillows with an oral cushion so no mouth leaks yet you can breathe through your nose or mouth as needed. Lot of us here wear it.

I'm a mouth leaker who can no longer control the leaks in any for but with a full face mask.

The Hybrid is the fourth full face mask I've tried -- first time last night.
It seals well for me -- much better than the Ultra Mirage FF, the Pro Basics ZZZ and perhaps better than an F&P Froma -- although the Forma was faulty so I have to reserve judgement on that one.

The Hybrid seemed far less "flapable" than the other masks - definitely worth trying for people who need full face masks.

I did notice one thing about the Hybrid: the feeling of pressure coming in and the feeling you have to make an effort to exhale are both more pronounced with the Hybrid.

My pressure is 7.8

Lately, I have been using the Swift LT w/a chin strap w/a pressure of 12 and it is working great. My AHI has been running about 1.5. I am also a baaad mouth breather w/chronic nasal congestion.

Stutz,
Click on my blog at the bottom of my post. I wrote a little about mouth breathing on there. You may find it useful.

Mask adjustments should be made lying down at full sleeping pressure(not ramp). An auto machine with settings of 4-14 might be too wide a range causing leaks and arousals. You could try narrowing the range closer to your titration pressure.

For FFM's I do a first adjustment with the machine off, and the final when I'm lying down and the machine is running. Otherwise, the blowing air makes the adjustment too difficult for me.

Stutz427 wrote:I presnetly use a Resmed M series auto with a FF Quatro mask. My pressure ramps from 4 cfm to 14. Most of the time the leak rate is about 37lpm with AHI of just below 5. I am also a mouth breather. My question is, is there one better type of mask to try to get to use than another? I often find with full face masks that when you get to higher pressure, and you move, they often leak making noise, which in turn wakes me up. If you you a nose mask, you either tape you mouth or have it held closed with straps. I have not tried nasal pillows yet but am willing . So if you were to have someone that can use almost any type of system, or is willing to work through the kinks, would any of you recommend one type over the other? Yes I know that most times it is a personal preference, but is the therapy better on one or another, what about leak rate etc? Thanks

If you're using a "standard" bed pillow, get a different one. There are a number of them that are either designed for or work better with this therapy. With the "standard" pillow, when your head sinks into it, it pushes your mask out of alignment. I have mine in my profile.

I also believe your Ramp is starting at too low of a pressure. If you can turn the Ramp off, that would help, too.

You also didn't mention what position you slept in......back, side, stomach......


Den

ozij wrote:For FFM's I do a first adjustment with the machine off, and the final when I'm lying down and the machine is running. Otherwise, the blowing air makes the adjustment too difficult for me.

Yes, that's what we do too. We also follow one of Den's suggestions which works very well. After we do all the above, we turn off the machine for a few seconds and lift the mask slightly which seems to resettle the seal and then turn on again.

Stutz427 wrote:I presnetly use a Resmed M series auto with a FF Quatro mask. My pressure ramps from 4 cfm to 14. Most of the time the leak rate is about 37lpm with AHI of just below 5. I am also a mouth breather. My question is, is there one better type of mask to try to get to use than another? I often find with full face masks that when you get to higher pressure, and you move, they often leak making noise, which in turn wakes me up. If you you a nose mask, you either tape you mouth or have it held closed with straps. I have not tried nasal pillows yet but am willing . So if you were to have someone that can use almost any type of system, or is willing to work through the kinks, would any of you recommend one type over the other? Yes I know that most times it is a personal preference, but is the therapy better on one or another, what about leak rate etc? Thanks

I started therapy with a Ultra Mirage FFM and used that for 3 years. Then I tried a Quattro, Hybrid, F&P HC431, Comfortfull, and Activa LT. The Quattro mask was the most comfortable and the rest leaked on me at a pressure of 15-20. Then I tried my wife's Opus 360. At first, it made my nares very sore and I had to stop using it after 2 days. I put it away and decided to drag it back out after a month. It didn't make my nares sore at all that time. I have since started using tape, polident strips, and a chinstrap to keep my yap closed at night.

I have been trying a Swift LT lately. Though it is more comfortable and I can adjust it better than the Opus, pillow durability has been an issue. The Swift headgear I can keep rather loose with a new pillow, but as the nights roll on, I have to tighten it. I haven't tried the o-ring fix yet though as I am at a loss as to what to use exactly.

Leaks for me have actually been better on pillows. If I get them right, I can move around at night without them leaking. Some nights they do leak but I have found it is because I am trying to sleep more on my stomach and they get dislodged on the bed pillow. If I sleep on my side, they stay put.

A good mask is like a good woman, sometimes you have to go through quite a few to find the right one.

Allen

Allen, what made you give up on the UMFF after 3 years?

DoriC wrote:Allen, what made you give up on the UMFF after 3 years?

It wasn't as much as "give up" but rather I wanted to try something new and have been exploring since. My Quattro gave up and died, the rest except my UMFF and Opus have been traded, given away, or relegated to the mask graveyard.

The UMFF is what I use now when I either have to go to the hospital or for severe congestion like a cold.

Allen