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Trouble getting good mask fit.
I have had 2 different CPAP machines and tried several different face masks but either have to pull masks so tight they hurt or have leaks that wake me up (although machine records these as being within the acceptable range). Have not used CPAP for over a week now as bridge of my nose got so sore I couldn't stand it. Am waiting for gel liner to arrive from USA and hope it helps as I do seem to feel and sleep better when I use the CPAP machine. I seem to need a FFM. Any suggestions?
Views: 719
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Clueless in Redwood Shores on
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Many of us have had good success with the Resmed Quattro or, at lower pressures, the Quattro FX full face masks. It helps to have a DME tech take the time with you to fit it; my DME supplier lets you try masks for up to 30 days and exchange any that are not working for you...
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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The Quattro is a good mask (the old model), but it hurt the bridge of my nose. The FX newer version does not rest on that same spot on your nose so may be worth a try. I use the Respironics FitLife Total Face Mask (not the one size fits all). It looks daunting, but is the most comfortable mask I have found. I need the large mask with the small headgear. Although what I prefer is to use the large headgear and wear a kufi cap ( just fits the crown of the head) to take up the slack in the straps. I goes around my face so doesn't touch my nose. Good luck, I think finding the right mask is the hardest part of CPAP therapy.
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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I don't know how many when you say several different face masks, but I know for me to find the mask for me took a quest of several months. In the beginning I used the F & P 431 and didn't even consider trying any others. Then I decided to try to find one that suited my needs better. I lost count of the number of masks I tried -- probably close to 15 or 20. I tried full face masks, nasal masks, nasal prong masks, and nasal pillow masks. I knew I couldn't afford to buy them all new so I purchased from cpaptalk forum members, ebay (no longer allowed), local ads, and cpapauction (no longer up and running).
Many DME's offer generous policies allowing you to exchange a mask within a certain period of days (check with them), others are not so generous (mine).
How long have you been on your machine? Sometimes it is finding that "sweet" spot where the mask is most comfortable. Your mask should not be tightened so much it hurts.
Try adjusting it laying down with your machine on. If you try adjusting it sitting up, you facial features change as we lay down and could be part of the culprit. Make sure you are using the right size of mask -- styles differ and the size I need in one may not be the same size I need in another.
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Permalink Reply by Sheri Reese on
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I had this type of discomfort with a full
face mask. All around my eyes and the sides of my nose itches and burned and were red. I couldn't wear the CPAP at all without being miserable. I started looking for a mask with as little
Skin contact as possible and decided if there was one I could
wear at all it would be the Swift nasal pillows. Tried one at a local
Store and it is working
Great for me. It doesn't even leak as much for me. When it came time
To have a new one I ordered the one for women with pink
straps. I'm doing really well now and the CPAP is finally helping me.
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Permalink Reply by ZolliStar on
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The SleepWeaver mask looks very strange -- and I like it! I like it!
http://www.cpap.com/productpage/sleepweaver-advance-improved-zzzeph...
The mask is soft and comfortable. The version I bought (which immediately preceded the one you see here) stayed in place throughout the night. I didn't have to put it on tightly either.
I switch from mask to mask all the time. I know that some people find the right mask and stick with it and only with it. Switching around seems to work for me however. Come to think of it, maybe I'll go to bed with my SleepWeaver tonight!
Bonus! I remembered this post from our excellent contributor, Rock; it may help you: http://www.sleepguide.com/forum/topics/how-to-properly-fit-a-mask?c...
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Thanks. I ordered a Sleepweaver cloth mask and have used it for 2 nights now. Needed to use it with a chinstrap but woke up yesterday morning so excited that I had slept without pain that I couldn't drop back to sleep. Last night I registered 6.3 hrs and 1.4 AHI a record for me. Only downside was that my ResMed AutoSet 9 also recorded an unhappy face, meaning major leaks....perhaps this was what woke me up.
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Well this is certainly nice news!
I switch my masks around but always use a chinstrap, including with my SleepWeaver.
Ellen said:Thanks. I ordered a Sleepweaver cloth mask and have used it for 2 nights now. Needed to use it with a chinstrap but woke up yesterday morning so excited that I had slept without pain that I couldn't drop back to sleep. Last night I registered 6.3 hrs and 1.4 AHI a record for me. Only downside was that my ResMed AutoSet 9 also recorded an unhappy face, meaning major leaks....perhaps this was what woke me up.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on
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I've been using a Sleepweaver cloth mask for about 3 months now and absolutely love it. When I first started using it I had more leaks than I had done with my previous mask (Respironics Comfort Gel nasal mask), but after a few weeks wearing the Sleepweaver the leak rate was way down. Like Zollistar I usually switch masks around, but when I went to do that after using the cloth mask for a few weeks, I switched straight back. The Sleepweaver is just so light and comfortable, other masks feel weighty in comparison.
It has been said elsewhere before, but while most other masks are more comfortable if used with a hose lift, the Sleepweaver feels better with the hose down, rather than held up.
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Due to the fact that I am such a light sleeper, the only thing I can even barely tolerate is the nasal pillows. And if you do decide to try these, they come in various sizes......XS, S, M, L. So try several if one doesn't seem to work well for you.
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Hi Lisa and Peggy. I was pleased to find that my light weight chinstrap held for the nite last nite but my machine still recorded an unhappy face. It is encouraging that you found the leaks decreased over time. I have been reluctant to try prongs and pillows as I didn't want to stick things up my nose. I also have chronic sinusitis so was apprehensive about direct pressure in nostrils and I am a mouth breather so my sleep tech didn't think they would work. Happy to hear more opinions. Cheers.>
Lisa said:I've been using a Sleepweaver cloth mask for about 3 months now and absolutely love it. When I first started using it I had more leaks than I had done with my previous mask (Respironics Comfort Gel nasal mask), but after a few weeks wearing the Sleepweaver the leak rate was way down. Like Zollistar I usually switch masks around, but when I went to do that after using the cloth mask for a few weeks, I switched straight back. The Sleepweaver is just so light and comfortable, other masks feel weighty in comparison.
It has been said elsewhere before, but while most other masks are more comfortable if used with a hose lift, the Sleepweaver feels better with the hose down, rather than held up.
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Ellen, I use the Resmed Autoset and love the machine, I use a Resmed FFM and now no longer get any leaks but understand why you would like the sleepweaver. Re the unhappy face, that's no too good because it's saying you haven't got a seal, can you read the data off your card yourself or can you take it to your sleep centre and get them to read it? I didn't realize you are in Australia as well, not sure who you go to in WA, I go to MCS, Melbourne CPAP Services and they read my data for me whenever I want. I can't read it myself because I use a company computer and they block certain files including youtube and facebook.
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Terry. I love the ResMed S9 auto set too. I live about 45min away from the sleep tech so can only read the simple data like how many hours,#AHI and happy or unhappy face. Even thou I have complained about leaks with various regular masks I have tried the S9 usually gives me a happy face so I suspect that the unhappy face is a problem with the Sleepweaver. Think my tech told me the machine allows for a 5% variance so I've sent a message to her and will see what she says.
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