Trying total face mask tonight

I love my Opus 360, but I just can't keep my lips sealed. I wake up way too much with funny noises or air leaking out of my mouth. So I went back to the DME looking for a solution.

Once I overlooked the part where he suggested that my problem is just that I don't have my humidifier up high enough (apparently, all mouth opening is caused by the humidity being too low, and couldn't possibly be caused by the structure of one's teeth and lips), we started trying some other masks.

My DME at the other office had suggested that the best mask for me to try would be the total face mask. This guy (same chain, different store), was very skeptical about the total face mask, but let me try it anyway. It was pretty comfortable, and didn't leak much. We'll see how it does when I try it out in bed. Then he suggested that I try a regular full face mask, so I did. That was a total disaster. It leaked everywhere, hurt my nose, and generally was uncomfortable.

Fortunately he had a sample of the total face mask in the office, so I'm borrowing it to see how it goes for a few nights.

I use the FitLife Total Face Mask size large and love this mask. The straps are a little big so I wear a knit cap over just the crown of my head to take up the slack. I have very little leakage, 0% most nights. Keep us posted on how it works for you.

Like Mary Z, I also use the Fitlife total face mask (by the way, I just went to cpap.com to buy a hose buddy, and the lady - who has a real good memory - remembered I bought my first total face mask from them, said there "has been a "run" on the fitlife total face masks, and we can't keep them on the shelf.")With the exception of below your chin, most of the sealing part is on your cheeks and forehead, which allows the mask to "shift" - somewhat during the night without leaking.

My DME is always trying to get me a full face mask when I show up at the store. I keep telling her "I'm happy with the Fitlife."

Good luck with the mask.

Sheriff

Well, that was a total disaster. I lasted maybe half an hour, if that. Of course, I didn't have much tolerance for messing with it since I had to be up early in the morning.

It took a bit of adjusting to be able to get it to stop leaking while on my back. I found it to be very hot under the mask, and it felt like the bottom part was squishing up my lips and making me drool. Then I tried to roll over, and found that the only position that I could sleep in at all without leaking was on my back, and I am definitely not a back sleeper.

So I guess I'll probably just stick with the nasal pillows and deal with the mouth thing. I'm probably one of those people who would have failed CPAP back in the day before they had nasal pillows. I just haven't been able to tolerate full face masks (not even trying one on sitting up) or the regular nasal masks.

How about a hybrid Cowlypso? I think I may try one when I am up for a new mask and headgear.

Have you tried a hybrid (innomed/Respcare)? Others on this forum seem to swear by them. It would combine the nasal pillows you like with a full face mask to let you mouthbreath. That's the mask I'm planning to try first when I get my machine (hopefully very soon).