I read about bricks but are there masks to avoid?

Im a new cpap user. From what I read here I ended up with a brick. A resmed escape auto. I don't think it's a bad machine but it sure doesn't tell me anything. The dme is coming Monday with nasal masks and pillows because the full face is not working for me. I'm experiencing bloat and major leaks at the bridge of my nose. It was so bad that I had to stuff toilet paper in my mask last night. The dme measured me as a size small but for some reason gave me a resmed quatro size medium. I'm not sure why it is not sealing over the top of my nose. Maybe this is a crappy mask too? What should I look for when the dme comes with nasal masks and pillows? Are there any brands or styles to avoid?

The ResMed S9 Escape is a brick...hours of use.
The ResMed S9 Escape Auto...is less of a brick but not by much..it offers AHI and pressure..nothing else.
No leak, no event breakdown..nothing else.

Mask to avoid? The ones that don't fit and/or you simply don't like and often it is trial and error and yes...sizing is critical.
I use a nasal pillow mask...other people don't do well with those types of masks.
Even within nasal pillow mask models....different brands work better than other brands.
It is that way with all masks.
But size is number one...if it is the wrong size there is no way to make it work.

You avoid masks that do not fit comfortably...they should be tried while you are attached to your CPAP while lying flat with a pillow.

I have some fitting tips on my blog for the Quattro (works for any air cushion mask) and for swift nasal pillows. The DME is supposed to be able to help fit you but so far they havent done a great job for you. Read my fitting tips first and insist that the fitting be done with you lying down and with the machine ON.

Consider calling your sleep center - I went over and the nurse patiently fitted the mask, explained things in a very positive manner. DME's aren't great with this.

I'm not sure but I think the Quattro FX is supposed to fit lower down on your nose and not up at the bridge. Someone may be able to tell you for sure.

dtsm wrote:Consider calling your sleep center - I went over and the nurse patiently fitted the mask, explained things in a very positive manner. DME's aren't great with this.

Sleep labs will do this because there is a billable code. It is usually far better at the sleep lab, plus they may give you a used mask to take home.

Since faces are like fingerprints - It is much easier to list masks that work with many people or on higher pressures. The new Aloha seems like a winner.

obtw - (OP) what is your pressure?

The masks to avoid:
---a dirty, used mask, (unless it's free and you have no money)
--an opened package (there may be parts missing.)
--any mask that doesn't fit--comfortably--on FULL pressure.
Luckily (or unluckily), the different mask companies use different sizing,
and if one company has nothing that feels right, you can try a different brand.
Any mask should work with ANY machine--if somebody says otherwise--they lie.
The exceptions are few and far between.

My pressure is an 8. I tried fitting the mask lower on my face and that seems to help a lot. There is so much to learn and get used to.

Usually the insurance requires a rental period of 3 months to 1 year. I would ask your DME to replace the machine with a S9 autoset and if he refuses, contact some other DME's until you find one that will get you the autoset. Then give the DME back his brick.
This is what I did and I'm really really glad I did!
AS for the mask, That will be a trial and error thing. Full Fase masks often leak, but are great if you have allergies and your nose is clogged. If you can breath clearly you might want to try a nose pillow mask.

Gizmogidget wrote:My pressure is an 8. I tried fitting the mask lower on my face and that seems to help a lot. There is so much to learn and get used to.

Definitely watch the fitting technique videos for the Quattro FX on either You Tube, Resmed's website or CPAP.com. The Quattro FX is put on a little different from other masks as they use what they call the "swing and seal" technique. You angle the mask with the bottom part about 45 to 90 degrees away from your face and place the top portion "mid bridge" on your nose, then swing the bottom part down against your face. Hold it in place with one hand and fasten your straps, lie down, then turn on your machine. I also find that placing pressure on the front of the mask with one finger between the elbow and the vent holes before you turn the machine on helps in getting a good seal as the mask inflates and then release after it inflates and check for leaks. The straps should not be too tight. The mask is supposed to "float" on your face and the top portion of the mask will actually move slightly away from the bridge of your nose as the silicone cushion puffs outward as it fills with air, forming a good seal around your nose...hopefully. The bottom straps should be tighter than the top ones to keep the mask from moving up your face, but still not overly tight. Not sure why the DME gave you a size medium though if they fitted you to a small. You might want to follow up with them and see if you can try a size small for comparison.

It's been my mask of choice for over 4 months now. I also use a Padacheek liner with mine which makes it more comfortable IMO and will help prolong the life of your face cushion. I think it's a great mask, but like all masks, your results may differ depending upon the shape of your face. Good luck!

Just to update I was able to exchange the brick for an elite and the full face to the nasal pillow. It turned out that with my crappy insurance it was cheaper for me to do a cash deal with the med supplier than to go through the insurance and pay a high deductible. I am very happy with the nasal pillows and the s9 elite.