My Experience Using the Quattro Air FFM

Started using the new Quattro Air FFM last Mon. eve. Based on my experience, I have to recommend to others looking for a comfortable, well constructed mask. Leaks around the mouth are there to be sure, but they are not impacting therapy as far as I can tell. In looking at SH, nothing significant recorded in the leaks category. I'm loving the mask and don't dread putting it on at night. A world of difference from the Quattro FFM (torture device). It's nice and lightweight, easy to clean and the size small fits me like a glove. I'm sleeping in the 6 hrs range at night on a consistent basis and feeling and looking kind of youngish again. The headgear is soft and wears well. Truly phenomenal! Since I've only been using it for a week so far, I can report no eye leaks at this time. I've now got two masks that I believe that I can depend on- the Mirage Liberty and the Quattro Air. A side note: this is not a 'for her' mask.

How is the 'loop' quick release method? Better/worse than clips?

I'm trying to get this mask to work, but it is hurting the skin on the bridge of my nose. It makes that area red and swollen.

Any ideas I could try? I've tried the Pad A Cheek liner and gotten the same negative results, surprisingly.

hyperlexis wrote:How is the 'loop' quick release method? Better/worse than clips?

I like it. It contributes to the mask being very light, and the loops are fairly easy to use.

hyperlexis wrote:How is the 'loop' quick release method? Better/worse than clips?

Hypelexix, I love the "loop" quick release method and I am saying this as someone who expected to hate it. But I find it quite easy to loop the straps around the hooks and get them in their proper place.

I am finding for me the mask has other issues which I posted about in another thread. Hopefully, an exchange in sizes will help as I really do want to like the mask.

49er

hyperlexis wrote:How is the 'loop' quick release method? Better/worse than clips?

I wouldn't call it a "quick release loop" at all, but it is very simple and I think it's much easier than fumbling around trying to find a place to put a clip in.

I too love this mask for all the reasons stated above, but I have one recurring problem with it. At some point every night I wear it the mask either rides up on my face somehow or my lower lip falls out of the mask. In either event I wind up with the bottom of the mask in my mouth like a bridle on a horse.

Any thoughts on this? I have a size large and would probably get an XL if they made one.

NeedHelp2 wrote:I'm trying to get this mask to work, but it is hurting the skin on the bridge of my nose. It makes that area red and swollen.

Any ideas I could try? I've tried the Pad A Cheek liner and gotten the same negative results, surprisingly.

Could going up in size be an option?

The reason I am asking is even though I wear a medium size regular Quattro, the medium Quattro Air feels small to me and in brief trials, it has felt extremely tight around my nasal area and is pressing on it. I have no doubt that if I wore it for an extend period of time, I would have the same problems as you are experiencing. That is why I intend to see if a larger size would work better for me.

Good luck.

49er

The first time I tried to 'unloop' the straps, they wouldn't come off easily. Worked at it for a bit and now very easy to do - learning curve. One thing I forgot to mention, it's a little tough to unsnap the cushion from the frame and I'm still working harder than I think I should be at this point. I wash the cushion every night so this is essential for me. It is very easy to snap back on to the frame and I never had a problem with that. I love that there is no pressure on the bridge of my nose. The DME told me that the bridge on my nose is prominent (whatever that means). I don't have the top straps tightened very much and the 'wing' is not flat against my forehead. So far, so good.

*Funny you should mention about the 'bridle'. That did happen to me once too. It was a weird feeling but just got the bottom lip back into the cushion and no further issues. Probably happened because the pillow pushed the mask up.

NeedHelp2 wrote:I'm trying to get this mask to work, but it is hurting the skin on the bridge of my nose. It makes that area red and swollen.

Any ideas I could try? I've tried the Pad A Cheek liner and gotten the same negative results, surprisingly.

I use this mask as a back up and was able to control the leaks. I also have the same issues on my nose bridge. I used the silicone nose pads and it worked for me. They are soft enough to provide protection without causing leaks. Hopefully, your nose (honker) will eventually get used to the pressure.

Sheriff

I have one on order ... I will call my DME to see if it is in when I go to town today ...

I have the Mirage Quattro ... Originally a med, but had a tough time (months!) with sore nose bridge ... Used the gel boomerang ... Cloth liner ... Went to size large ... Nose is MUCH better now, but eye leaks!

Hopefully the Air will be "Just Right"!

So far, almost all the patients I work with that have tried it say they really like it.

The design of the mask and especially its weight make it quite a cutting edge interface.

At only 3 ounces, it's hard to tell there's a mask in the package.

Two thumbs up.

Jim, how is the sizing? If Mike wears a Med in Quattro FF and Ultra Mirage, would he use the same size with the Air? It sounds like it runs a bit small.

I got mine yesterday ... It apears that the large is slightly smaller than my large mirage ...

I laid down and put it on and adjusted it ... The top can be quite loose ... But I needed to really have it quite tight on the bottom straps as it did not seal very good on my beard ... It seems that the inner layer of the cushion is firmer, and I could feel the firm edge of it on my chin ...

I was averaging an AHI of just under 5 with my Mirage ... An occasional bad night of 6-7 mixed with some good nights of 2-3 ... Last night I was 9+! Only had one spell of leaks over 85, most of the night around 45-50 ... Vent rate is almost 40 on this mask at my pressure of 11 cm h2O.

I did still have some eye leaks ... But not as bad as my Mirage using a Pad-A-Cheeks liner ...

Tonight is another night ... I don't do well with changes to ANYTHING to do with my sleep, So I will keep after it for a week, then decide if I want to get a Pad-A-Cheeks liner for it ... BTW my new local DME sold it to me for $138!

I've worn a medium in the Quattro FX, the Quattro & now the Quattro Air. But I've moved to using the large Quattro AIR.

I tried the medium sized Quattro Air for about a month or so. I did not have any leaks with the AIR, but I was having awakening face farts after 4-5 hours of use.

The medium felt fine, but as best I can describe it; it felt like it was making my lips pucker.

After about 2 weeks of using the larger size Quattro AIR, it seems to be working great for me.

If you sleep with your hands near your face, the vent location might be annoying with the Quattro Air.

While the exhaust air is diffused, it does blow straight out. it nearly froze my fingers one night

LOL

The loops are fine on the AIR, but I like the clips on the Quattro. Hearing that click at night gave me some assurance that it was connected.

I don't need any middle of the night bathroom breaks, so I don't have to figure out how to re-connect the loops.


Dave

Interesting that other people are finding they need a larger size they previously thought.

Well, my quattro medium air has a temporary reprieve as I may try sleeping on my side with it tonight to see what happens. In test runs, it doesn't seem to causing leaks with the straps being tightened comfortably. Of course, it has been my experience that what works during the day for some reason doesn't at night so stay tuned. If it doesn't work, then I will exchange it for a larger size and go back to sleeping on my back with it.

Best of luck to everyone.

49er