Why would I want a forehead support with a full face mask?

Just had my sleep study with CPAP. I used a full face mask (with no forehead support) because I can be a mouth breather and I didn't want to use a chin strap. The full mask also just made for an easier breathing experience compared to the nasal pillow I tried. From my preliminary conversation with my Dr's office it seemed to eliminate all OSAs and CSAs. However, i only slept 3.5 hours.

Now I'm about to meet with the DME. My question is, if I want to stick with a full face mask, what are the advantages/disadvantages of one with a forehead support? The support seems to look more obstructive, as it is one more pressure point against the face. I'm sure there are reasons for it because so many full face masks have them.

Any advice is appreciated.

Ummm, how do you propose to keep the mask on your face without headgear???

Maybe you're not understanding what headgear is?

The reason that you will see listings for masks with and without headgear is that Medicare will replace the mask more often than the headgear. So you can theoretically buy just the mask, without headgear for those times Medicare won't replace the headgear (you can also buy just the cushions separately to replace the cushion in your mask).

In reality, most DME's just order a package with a complete mask (cushion or cushions--if it comes with multiple sizes--mask, and head gear). Then they BILL for each part separately, to increase their profit (a complete mask costs less than the sum of its parts)--doesn't seem right, but it is the usual practice and not illegal. If you are in between head gear replacements, they will be unwilling to sell you just the mask because they don't order masks separately, typically, but will sell you the cushion.

It's all a little crazy. Headgear wears out MUCH sooner than masks!

Oh, and BTW, be sure you read "What you need to know BEFORE you meet the DME" in my signature below.

You are correct ... I meant (and recently edited) to say "forehead support".

Thanks.

Zzzer wrote:You are correct ... I meant (and recently edited) to say "forehead support".

Thanks.

The forehead support is supposed to take some of the pressure off the bridge of the nose, which is incredibly sensitive for some people.

Ok, well the forehead support depends on the mask.

I use a Mirage Quattro mask and it has an adjustable forehead piece that can dial in an out to 24 different positions. I find this VERY useful, because I dial it WAAAY out so that there is almost no pressure on my nose. The air cushion fills with air and hugs my nose, and all the pressure goes to the lower part of my face which has a lot more surface area and fat padding than the delicate little bridge of my nose. So for me, that forehead support is wonderful.

Every face is different, so what works for me in a mask will not work for you. But don't rule a forehead support out because it looks cumbersome. It may be just what you need to get a good night's sleep.

OK, Black Spinner beat me to it in a much more succinct way!

Wow, thanks for the quick reply and helpful link.

Looks like the CPAP in that link does not match the machine you use.

By ResMed Auto S9, does the article mean this one?

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/resme ... chine.html

Thx

The CPAP machine you use has no bearing on the mask you use...there is no connection. You can use any mask on any machine.

I use the mirage quattro and love it! The forehead support is used to adjust the mask and prevent leakage below the mouth and by the bridge of the nose. I vary the adjustment based on age of the mask cushion and have an excellent leak profile. For me, the quattro mirage fits and functions very well. I'll not consider another mask as the best the new mask can do is match the superb performance of the quattro. YMMV

LSAT wrote:The CPAP machine you use has no bearing on the mask you use...there is no connection. You can use any mask on any machine.

Yeah - I got that. I was asking janknitz a second, separate question re: the machine recommended in her linked article not matching the one in her profile. I'm afraid my DME is going to try to stick me with a cheapie.

MyIdaho wrote:I use the mirage quattro and love it! The forehead support is used to adjust the mask and prevent leakage below the mouth and by the bridge of the nose. I vary the adjustment based on age of the mask cushion and have an excellent leak profile. For me, the quattro mirage fits and functions very well. I'll not consider another mask as the best the new mask can do is match the superb performance of the quattro. YMMV

Thanks for your advice. Just curious, are you a side sleeper? I am, and I'm trying to determine the best mask style for sleeping on my side.

I have an HMO, and I got the Respironics PRS1 (older model 550S which WAS the top of that line at the time). I still have S9 Autoset envy (the screen, the screen) but couldn't afford to buy my own machine.

The machine models on my blog are a bit out of date, haven't had time to update it.

Oh, and I'm a side sleeper. When my mask springs a leak I just nuzzle my face in the pillow to seal off the leak. It always leaks if I'm on my back because I don't generally sleep on my back so the mask isn't adjusted for that--but lately I can't stay on my side all night because of hip pain.

Yes, I spend significant time on my side and wake up about 50% of the time on a side or on my back. I did have some struggles at first getting everything adjusted properly. janknitz has written an excellent blog post on taming the quattro and posts the link in everyone of her posts (she replied earlier in thread). There are some excellent youtube videos on how to adjust the quattro. Also, the final piece for me was to buy the anti-leak strap from padacheek.com With the proper adjustment on the anti leak strap I can sleep on my side and on my stomach without leaking. Money well spent! I've bought three of these to make sure I always have a clean one available! Good luck!

Oh, and BTW, once you settle on a full face mask, check out Padacheek. Her liners make it 1000 times more comfortable and help reduce the leakage, too. It's like snuggling your face in a soft blanket all night.