Hey what about full face masks?

Hi, I am not new to C-PAP therapy just returning after a 7 year lapse in treatment. There have been many changes--definitely for the better. I am using a Opus 360 mask at this time which I have been really successful with. I do however have a bronchitis and the accompanying head cold. I have been very unsuccessful this week with this mask. I talked to my sleep technologist and she suggests a full face mask so that I can breathe through my mouth and use my machine.

Do people find this type of mask helpful and/or comfortable enough to wear through the night? I used the ones that cover the nose previously and just pulled it off all night which is one of the reasons I was grateful to quit therapy last time--is the full face easier to wear??

I feel so much better when I use my machine that I am exhausted from not getting any sleep and I just restarted therapy in mid-June. My goal is to be compliant as it makes me feel better so any insight into this mask thing is apprecitated.

I have a cold right now and the FFM isn't really making a difference for me. I am coughing a lot though, so maybe if I was just congested and not coughing, it would be better.

I use the Mirage Quattro.

Hi, welcome 'back' to Cpap. I've worn a FF mask for years (Ultra Mirage) and while I can't say it's more comfortable than the original nasal one, I'm so used to it I can't imagine anything else now. I don't think about comfort any more, it's just part of me (I guess the point is that I don't think about discomfort at all). The thing is, maybe the majority of us pulled our masks off at the beginning, but once you have one you feel ok with, that fits properly in the right size for you, and you are reasonable about sleep 'hygiene' (getting to bed at a reasonable and consistent hour, not drinking alcohol and especially caffeine any near bedtime - like hours away, being in a relatively cool room vs too warm, etc.) you will get used to it and not be pulling it off. You may have had it too tight back then, which is not helpful, and/or you may sleep on your back, something that provokes more apneas, therefore more awakenings, and the likelihood of pulling the mask off, all kinds of things between you and a decent night, so you need to experiment, work on things and give them time (not 1-2 nights) to work. Also, if your humidifier's on high, it can congest you, so turn it down (I don't use mine at all), and if you use the ramp feature and it's set at 4-5, you probably can't breathe at all - most of us don't use it beyond the first week, and 'go' straight to our prescribed pressures when the machine's on, which is more likely around 10. There's more, but ... some stuff to think about here I hope.

Welcome, Sandster! Have you looked at the Hybrid by Innomed? It has nasal pillows so it doesn't do that whole cover-your-nose thing, but it has a mouth pillow so you can breathe through your mouth if you're having congestion. I love mine! Adjusting your humidity can influence congestion, too.

Thanks for the help thus far. I looked at the Innomed Hybrid and it seems like it could be the best of both worlds. The other advantage is that there is not headgear all over my face. I am way opposed to all the headgear up over my nose and on my forehead and this looks much like my OPUS with the addition of the mouth part.

My humidifier is set at 2 and they suggested that I turn it up during my illness but it doesn't really make much of a difference.