Recommendations for a full face mask

I'm getting a new setup and am looking for a mask recommendation.I've found the full face mask to be best for me, as I have frequent sinus blockage and never got used to a nasal mask. I don't have any comfort issues when I have to breathe trough my mouth. I've been using a Resmed Mirage Quattro without much success. The main problems I've had is that I was never able to get it to not leak like crazy while keeping it loose like Lincare recommended, and even with it snugged down, it still leaks around the bridge of my nose. Best guess is that even though I have a large head and face, the bridge of my nose is kind of skinny. I'd prefer something that's able to be kept tight, having the straps on tight doesn't seem to give me a headache or prevent me from sleeping. I have moustache and goatee, that are conveniently thin where the mask goes below my mouth. I've never had any issues with the mask and facial hair. Thanks in advance!

I started on a FF mask - Resmed's Quattro Air, then switched to the AirFit F10 when it came out a couple months ago. I had a terrible time with leakage in the beginning, until I found out about mask liners. They're like a gasket, and by golly they do prevent/minimize most leaks. They can also prevent skin irritation. They were a game changer for me, and I've been able to sleep through the night ever since I started using them. Your DME should have some called RemZzzs or you can order from cpap.com. Pad-A-Cheeks are also available, go here: http://www.padacheek.com. To get started right away, I'd suggest going to your DME to get some today... or if your DME is too far away, you could get them from a closer one as they don't require a prescription.

Do you have a DME who will let you try on masks while laying down at your max pressure? If so, that is the best case scenario. The mask fit feature on your machine is another idea if you haven't tried it already (to fit at max pressure). Otherwise, it may be some trial & error, as its quite individual. The reviews on CPAP.com are helpful to get an idea of the fit of a mask. I can say that I couldn't stand the masks I tried on with a forehead support and have been lucky that the Quattro FX works well enough for me. When I have got leaks up into my eyes, it was from having it too low on my nose. Agree with the suggestion to try mask liners (although I found both types made my mask too tight around the nose so I'd have to go up a size to give them a real try). Best wishes.

If it is leaking at your eyes, it probably needs to be a tad lower on your nose. You may also need a different style or size.

I use the Quattro fx, and it took me several weeks to get it right. I knew it was the right mask since the sleep tech had used the same model at the sleep study, and it fit perfectly there. It does take a while for *us* to master fitting them right. I did have to get smaller headgear than the standard. That helped me a lot.

GeoMG wrote:I'm getting a new setup and am looking for a mask recommendation.I've found the full face mask to be best for me, as I have frequent sinus blockage and never got used to a nasal mask. I don't have any comfort issues when I have to breathe trough my mouth. I've been using a Resmed Mirage Quattro without much success. The main problems I've had is that I was never able to get it to not leak like crazy while keeping it loose like Lincare recommended, and even with it snugged down, it still leaks around the bridge of my nose. Best guess is that even though I have a large head and face, the bridge of my nose is kind of skinny. I'd prefer something that's able to be kept tight, having the straps on tight doesn't seem to give me a headache or prevent me from sleeping. I have moustache and goatee, that are conveniently thin where the mask goes below my mouth. I've never had any issues with the mask and facial hair. Thanks in advance!

I use the Zzz-Mask Full Face CPAP Mask Made by Probasics. I like that it does not have the forehead support, and more then anything else I like the price. Compared the price to Resmed masks this mask is half price, and the replacement cushions are about half also. The mask works well for me, but every one is different.

I wish you well

tortoisegirl wrote:The mask fit feature on your machine is another idea if you haven't tried it already (to fit at max pressure).

The OP lists a PRS1 machine. I believe the mask fit feature is only available on Resmed machines.

To the OP:

If you have a DME who'll let you try masks, that's your best bet. It can get expensive to buy this one and that one, only to find they don't work for you. That said, if leaks around the bridge of your nose are the issue, I would advise trying the Hybrid mask that I use, as there's no part of this FFM that goes over the nose. It's a mouth cushion and nasal pillows, and it comes with three sizes of each to make getting a good fit more likely. It's this one: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

There are tons of masks out there. Trial and error is a reality with all of them. Best of luck.

The old Quattro is pretty much the gold standard for FFMs, that other masks have been measured against. It does not have a 'loose fit" but a snug fit. NOT a tight fit, but 'snug' LOL. Through careful adjustment at max pressure you should be able to get this mask to work. Newer, lighter and less bulky FFMs are taking over, but the old Quattro is still a workhorse and very well designed. And remember 'not all leaks need to be corrected' per the manufacturers, so long as they are small and do not keep waking you up. The machines can compensate. That said, watch the myriad of mask fitting videos from the Lanky Lefty on youtube. He is awesome and has reviewed dozens of masks, and outlines proper fitting, use and care, etc. Plus, go to ResMed and the other manufacturers' websites for proper mask fitting videos. You should be able to get a good fit with almost any mask with patience and careful adjustment. If you simply cant, send the mask back to the DME before the 30 day test period ends. Other good fitting, quiet FFMs = Quattro Air, Quattro F10, Quattro FX, Respironics Amara Gel, Fisher Paykel Simplus, Hans Rudolph V2. Some people with very high pressures like the Respironics Comfort Gel FFM to prevent leaks, -- however it is a very bulky, heavy, older designed mask. Good luck!

BleepingBeauty wrote:

tortoisegirl wrote:The mask fit feature on your machine is another idea if you haven't tried it already (to fit at max pressure).

The OP lists a PRS1 machine. I believe the mask fit feature is only available on Resmed machines.

To the OP:

If you have a DME who'll let you try masks, that's your best bet. It can get expensive to buy this one and that one, only to find they don't work for you. That said, if leaks around the bridge of your nose are the issue, I would advise trying the Hybrid mask that I use, as there's no part of this FFM that goes over the nose. It's a mouth cushion and nasal pillows, and it comes with three sizes of each to make getting a good fit more likely. It's this one: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

There are tons of masks out there. Trial and error is a reality with all of them. Best of luck.

PR machines have mask fit.

hyperlexis wrote:

BleepingBeauty wrote:

tortoisegirl wrote:The mask fit feature on your machine is another idea if you haven't tried it already (to fit at max pressure).

The OP lists a PRS1 machine. I believe the mask fit feature is only available on Resmed machines.

PR machines have mask fit.

It's not true for all of them. My current machine is a 950 series, and all of my previous machines have also been Respironics models; none of them had/has a mask fit feature (and I'm okay with that, as I think the feature is misleading in that most test their mask fit while sitting up, and that doesn't mean squat). Maybe it's something that Respironics added to the more recent 960 machines. I've never seen it.

BleepingBeauty wrote:Maybe it's something that Respironics added to the more recent 960 machines. I've never seen it.

The mask fit feature is only available on the 60 series machines. That's why you haven't ever seen it.
OP shows a PR S1 model 250 in the profile. If that is correct there won't be any mask fit feature available. No leak data either. It's a brick.

My hubby had leak issues with FFM's until we discovered his size was wrong. He is such a big guy with a large head, so everyone assumed he would need a large. Thru an accident (long story) he got & tried a medium & it solved the leak issues.

He then tried the F10 when it came out (size medium) & loves it. It has fewer straps than his previous mask, the FullLife.

Regardless of which FFM you try, check the size carefully. Don't assume the DME knows what they are doing when they look at you & say 'oh, you are a size X' - to truly know your size, you need to be measured or use a template/fitting guide for a specific mask. Its worth the trouble to make sure you have the right size.

Jen

I've been using ff431 with decent success and will probably get a ff432 because its supposed to be smaller.