Matching brand of mask to machine - worth it?

All other factors aside for the moment, is there any advantage to buying a mask of the same brand as the machine itself? In terms of how well it works with the machine, how the data is recorded, etc... This is assuming it's not the Transcend Auto or something like that that needs very specific masks.

Personally looking at Respironics, but curious about it across the board in case we make a different decision.

Thanks!

There is a marginal value in that some manufacturers include leakage information for their masks in their system setups.

But it is not necessary.

What is necessary is finding a mask that works for you because bad mask fit is a leading cause of non-compliance.

Indeed. But you've gotta start trying them somewhere, so I wondered if we should start with the same brand, or just look at them all.

So get the tiny edge and start with PR.

I would start with masks that look like they will be a comfortable fit.

I started with a Resmed Quattro FX because that is what was used during the study. It fit perfectly. I rolled over and slept 5 hours straight and never had any leak issues. I actually did not know what it was since I didn't think to ask. So, I looked online and found the photo and took that with me to the DME. I had no idea it was the same brand as the machine I was getting.

Later, as I was struggling to make it fit well at home (that process took me 6 weeks, some help from here, AND a smaller size headgear), I asked about getting a second mask. I wanted to try the hybrid mask and plug the nasal pillows. I only breathe through my mouth while sleeping, so that seemed like a better option. The one I found online was a a different brand. The DME had Resmed brand. They looked the same, and it fit well, so I didn't care. The plugging the holes didn't work, and the pillows leaked like crazy for me, waking me up a lot, so I abandoned that mask.

I have since added the Oracle, the only true oral mask. I haven't worked with it recently, as I do have one problem with it, though I do like it. Definitely not the same brand.

I have seen posts from people that have mentioned that one brand tends to fit them better than another brand. So, the way the different brands do their sizing and fitting is probably a lot more important than what machine you happen to be using.

Don't bother matching brands.

If you're trying to choose, start with selecting a general style that works for you: nasal, nasal pillows, full-face, or hybrid. Once you get going on that, you'll learn what you like or don't like about it, and then you can look at other options.

For example, I was able to try nasal pillow, nasal, and full-face at my titration study. I mouth-breathed enough that I went with the full-face. But I didn't like the leaking around the bridge of my nose, so I tried a hybrid and (mostly) loved it. Then I found mask liners that hugely improved the leaks and comfort.

I then tried the other brand of hybrid, in hopes that it would help with my jaw relaxing and dropping, but it didn't fit me nearly as well.

Now I find that most of my annoyance with the hybrid is that nearly all my leaks are around the mouth, and the headgear is bulky enough that facing any way other than straight up pushes the headgear a little and contributes to leaks. (And I have to face to the side to avoid aerophagia.)

I've made a few attempts as nasal pillows, the first of which went badly due to mouth-breathing, but then I tried again later and it seemed to work much better, although it felt like I could use less pressure support. At some point I plan to try again (once I get used to the higher perceived pressure from using the narrower heated tube), and I'm eyeing the headgear-free tap-pap if I conquer the mouth-breathing.

Your first 30 days you can swap out masks. Depending on your DME's rules you may be able to do it multiple times, and you may not have to return the old masks (since they can't be reused anyway). I was lucky and was able to start out with the FFM I'd had at my titration study, try the hybrid, and then try the nasal pillows, and keep all of them. I've gotten replacement hybrids ever since, but it lets me try out nasal pillows from time to time, or drop back to FFM if I get a nasty cold.

Brands make no difference.....as above....you need the mask that fits the best and is comfortable with few leaks.

LSAT wrote:Brands make no difference.....as above....you need the mask that fits the best and is comfortable with few leaks.

Absolutely true!!!

I love my (old) Respironics machines and my ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask. I tried ONE Respironics mask once and it was pure torture for three nights till I gave up and went back to my UMFF.


Den

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I've never had a respironics mask. I've always had resmed, FP, or off-brand.

Buying masks the same brand as the machine tends to please the DME.
--All the more reason to avoid doing so unless the mask is a very good fit to your face.

We're just buying online, not through a DME (long story...see elsewhere for details). So no worrying about what they think one way or the other, but also no swapping out for 30 days. And we're in Canada, so no return insurance (cpap.com can't ship ResMed or PR to us). *shrug* Ah well. Just have to experiment and hope we luck out. The one mask he had for the trial was the Wisp, which he quite liked except that he was getting leaks until he shaved. So we'll probably get one of those for when he's clean shaven, cause we know it works well, and probably grab a nasal pillow mask as well to try. Currently thinking the Nuance or Swift FX.

If you have a PR machine then yes, using a PR brand mask can be helpful. PR keys their masks with proprietary numbers used to set the "System One Resistance Control" settings that tweaks the exhalation relief system to work slightly better (in theory). With other brand masks they don't have the reference numbers so PR recommends leaving the resistance control option turned off for non-PR masks. Unfortunately there is no info yet avail on cross referencing the PR system with other brand masks. ResMed machines and other brand machines have easier resistance settings for just the generic type of mask attached (i.e. settings for nasal pillows, nasal, full face, etc.). With those machines, you do not benefit from using one brand per se, over another.

So my doctor called yesterday and said that she'd heard at a recent sleep conference that this can matter. She cited the proper measurement of leak, and I can see there being something to that...

That said, is anyone aware of any studies or literature suggesting that it actually matters with respect to the quality of therapy—especially for ASVs? I can see a possible argument there (i.e., the ASV can't do its job right if it doesn't have a good handle on leakage), but frankly it doesn't seem too compelling.

BrianinTN wrote:So my doctor called yesterday and said that she'd heard at a recent sleep conference that this can matter. She cited the proper measurement of leak, and I can see there being something to that...

That said, is anyone aware of any studies or literature suggesting that it actually matters with respect to the quality of therapy—especially for ASVs? I can see a possible argument there (i e , the ASV can't do its job right if it doesn't have a good handle on leakage), but frankly it doesn't seem too compelling.

If a (sleep) doctor told me something like that, I'd be looking for a new one.
On the other hand, some (quite a few) years back, ResMed came out with a sophisticated machine and stated that the user had to use one of their specific masks to get the required results. It might have been one of their ASV machines and maybe this is what your doctor heard. It may also depend on which company was hosting that conference your doctor attended.
I've always used Respironics machines and ResMed UMFF masks. I bought ONE Respironics mask to try about a year after I started therapy (because it looked like the one I had in my sleep study and I was curious).......and I was terribly disappointed in it. I could only manage/tolerate three nights with it before I gave up and went back to my UMFF. I will never again buy a Respironics mask that had the word "Comfort" in the model name.


Den

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One thing I've learned about mask selection since I've been a forum member is that when you see a new mask just out, see what others are saying about it. The most positive results I've seen have been the AirFit P10 by ResMed. After all I read I tried it, 3 nights no problem, then started leaking, so I went back to my Swift LT (never could make the very popular Swift FX work for me). I had been trying to find that 'perfect' mask. I tried several others too, each time back to my trusty LT. Then I started retrying the 'didn't work' masks, among them the P10. I guess you could say 'love at 2nd sight' because I LOVE this mask. The trick is how to adjust the headgear, which is tight for most, but too loose for me. Moral is that although each face is different & each mask will fit each of us differently, reading up on the tips & experiences of forum users sometimes pays off.

If I ever try another mask, I'll research it thru the forum first. I loved this mask so much & it seemed so popular that I got the F10 for my hubby shortly after it hit the market. He LOVES it. For some reason, research perhaps, ResMed has a winner with the AirFit line. Now these masks won't work for everyone but are a good place for someone to start.

And I have a PR S1 560 & so does my hubby. Different brand mask/machine, same kind of love.

Jen