Flex Fit mask

Has anyone tried the Flex fit mask & what is your opinion on it ?

Have it, love it........especially after adding a little moleskin to fine-tune the fit.

gulfpearl;

I currently use the F&P Flexifit 407, and am satisfied with it. The first mask I used was the Flexifit 405, and had problems with it. Due to the larger size or footprint of the 405, i had to really tighten the straps to avoid leaks, and it really marked my face and forehead. The 407 doesn't sit as far out on to my cheecks and cheek bones, and fits more closely around my nose, so i don't have to torque it to my face. I had also tried the Acclaim II, but it fit much like the 405.
I think any mask is good if it fits properly!!! The Flexifit 407 works for me
Terry.

I have one and don't like it. But that is just my opinion, since others like it. Leaks a lot, and when I tighten it enough to not leak, it makes a horrible mask outline around my face that lasts for hours. Also my AHI was high every time I used it, and I did not find it comfortable. It has joined my RIP drawer.

I have a Swift that I love, but I like to have a ff mask for when I have a cold. My first mask - the only other one I have - is a Comfortfull. It leaks horribly for me at the right corner of my mouth. I'm thinking that the Flexifit, going under the chin, might "lock down" the mask over that corner and end the leaks. I have to buy my masks out of pocket, so I too look forward to comments on this one.

Bella

I currently have three masks I'm interchanging on a nightly basis

ResMed Swift Nasal Pillows
ResMed UltraMirage Full Face
Fisher Paykel FlexiFit HC431

I tend to be a mouth breather since my nose has been broken four times, so past therapy has always been with a full face mask except a brief trial in 1999 with a nasal mask. Now that my pressure is up to 16 cm H2O (used to be 8 and was probably always wrong there-pre APAP days), I have had a fair amount of success with everything I've tried. Likewise, I'm learning to breath through my nose instead of my mouth even when I'm awake. I think it's more of a habitual thing for me. I have been breathing through my mouth for so long--it's habit. I keep catching myself even during the day with my mouth hanging open (mouth breathing). I'm retraining myself to breath through my nose--so much so that I'm considering trying another nasal mask.

The nose pillows are little harsh at my pressure. I have the feeling of an exploding fire hydron from the pressure in my nostrils, but I LOVE the nasal pillows for brief period of time and would REALLY like to be able to use them nightly due to no face pressure and ease of maintenance/cleaning.

I also like my two full face masks, which I keep alternating a bit. I had been using my FP 431 FF the most, but I have a small tear (in less the two weeks) on the top of the silicon piece so now it's starting to leak just a bit more then I had hoped without overtightening. Last night I used the Ultra Mirage and it worked pretty well. Ironically enough, I had the top straps nearly detached they were so loose, but I had to really overtighten the lower straps to get a leak free seal. It worked well, but I still woke up several times and I even removed it for an hour before trying to wear it again.

I've still not found the flawless solution and maybe I never will, but I think my attitude of "I will make this work" is going to be the difference. I'm considering trying the Aura mentioned on this forum a lot as well as the Hans Rudolph FF since I like the idea of it covering part of the chin. Since I'm having such good luck at night breathing through my nose lately, I'm also considering other nasal masks as an option.

I know it's a lot of money to juggle and trail and error masks, but its worth it for a good night's sleep. Even alternating the ones I have now have brought me to 7 hours compliance per night.

Good luck in your own therapy finding something that works best for you!

I just started using CPAP, so this was the mask that was issued me. I like it pretty well, and it seems pretty comfortable (but what do I know of what's out there?). I am getting a few leaks around the corners of my upper lip, but not enough to compromise my breathing or make me want to crank down the straps any tighter and get those red marks on the face that everyone seems to talk about. My home health rep. seemed to think that a little bit of leakage should not be a big problem, so I'll rest on that.

I have used the Flexifit 407HC for the last year. I change it out every 3 months, and it is for me the best mask. I have tested this mask for leaks using my RESMED S8 Auto data card. I have very little air leak with this mask.

My advice is to bring your machine to your DME and hook up to their demo masks. If they do not have at least 8 different masks for you to demo, find a new DME. The first DME I used was the one that owned the sleep lab I went to for diagnosis. They had one machine and only three masks to demo. I blame my own ignorance for accepting that level of care.

I attended an AWAKE meeting and visited five DMEs to educate myself.
This forum is great but do your homework and be student.
I used to spend more time picking out my neckties than on my CPAP needs. Shame on me.


We need to educate and empower ourselves.