Best mask for high pressures

I need some opinions on the best masks for higher pressures. I have a bipap set at 8 to 25.

There's more to your machine settings than 8 and 25. Which mode is being used...bilevel or autobileve?
Depending on which mode...and I doubt you are using fixed bilevel mode

most likely you are using auto bilevel mode and
8 would be EPAP (exhale pressure)
then there should be a minimum and maximum pressure support number (ranges from 0 to 8 or 10 maybe)
and then maximum IPAP number which might be 25
but when you first turn the machine on you won't see 25...you should see 8 EPAP and for inhale you should see your 8 plus whatever pressure support you are using.

Any mask will work at any pressure. Some better than others in terms of ability to maintain a seal.

Some people think that nasal masks (cushions or pillows) can't be used at pressures in upper teens or 20s but they can.
Lots of people use nasal pillow mask with pressures over 20...I myself see 20 almost every night.

When I run it on auto, my BiPap is set to 11 EPAP (min) to 20 IPAP (max), I routinely get up to 20, and I haven't had mask leaks with the Nasal Aire II, the Swift FX (nasal pillows), or the Hybrid--it's all about what fits your face. (Disclaimer: as a sometimes-mouth breather, I will have mouth breathing leaks with the first two masks I listed, but that has nothing to do with high pressure or mask fit.)

I'm on stright bipap 21 ipap. 15 epap. The mirage quatro is my mask of choice.

Sclark08 wrote:I need some opinions on the best masks for higher pressures. I have a bipap set at 8 to 25.

I think the best mask for high pressure has yet to be invented. For my two cents worth, I'd like to see an FFM that has the Wisp's tall firm sidewalls, plus the great thin flexible inner flanges... man, I think that would be a great FFM . Hey, PR, are you reading this... hint, hint?

IMHO, nasal pillows are actually the best for higher pressures because there's less surface area to "blow out" when the pressure is high. The pressure actually pushes against your nostrils to make a good seal. If you have a nasal pillow mask, you can check this out by holding your hand a few mm away from the nasal pillow holes with the machine on. You will see the pillows kind of jump and push against your hand.

A full face mask has so much surface area to blow out, especially if there are big differences between EPAP and IPAP, or a wide range on auto or a wide change with ramp. Even if you fit to your high pressure, you may find that the fact that the cushion is not as highly inflated at lower pressures causes leaks then.

I don't know where the DME's get the idea that nasal pillows are not good for higher pressures. There are many people here on higher pressures who do just fine with nasal pillows, as long as they are correctly fit in the first place.

Of course, if you are a mouth breather, then nasal pillows are not a good choice.