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In search of a lightweight full face mask
After trying now many many different masks, I have settled at least for awhile on the Full Life mask. It touts to be a very lightweight and perfect fit mask. My problem is that I have a thin face and it made a horrid red painful mark on the bridge of my nose. I have ordered a strip for this, designed to specifically protect this part of the nose (upper). Now the only problem I have, is that when I lay down, the mask hurts my face by sort of digging into one side or the other of my face. It seems too heavy. And I am not sure if I have any other options. I would love a nasal mask, but for now, air builds up in my mouth and poofs out. Anyone out there with a small angular or excuse the word, boney face that has had luck with a full face? I am new to cpap and have really given this alot of work so far. Any suggestions with supporting statements would be appreciated. I really do think that a thin face makes a difference. It's just plain harder to get something light..Help!
Views: 61
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Judy on
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The ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask is very lightweight. There is little to it which is what I like about any mask I use. Its drawback is that the headgear is too large for most of us and it really is easiest to have a second pair of hands that understand mask fitting to help. In my case, I have to put a fold in at least the bottom straps to determine the best fit and then cut the fold out and put the cut ends back together w/a velcro strip. Then it lasts forever. Well, its lasts a full 6 months until due for a mask and headgear replacement by my insurance.
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hi there, I can check and see if my DME has this mask. Do you have a think face too? With the one I have now, I like it except for a few spots and the bottom chin level straps are very long for me. I have thought about getting a kids mask, but havent seen any online that would work. And my DME uses size small for kids of the adult masks...I am just so frustrated. Did you try any others that came close to your zzz mask? I really dont want to use my own money just yet and want to get the mask from my med supplier DME people...thank you for your comments Judy!
Judy said:The ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask is very lightweight. There is little to it which is what I like about any mask I use. Its drawback is that the headgear is too large for most of us and it really is easiest to have a second pair of hands that understand mask fitting to help. In my case, I have to put a fold in at least the bottom straps to determine the best fit and then cut the fold out and put the cut ends back together w/a velcro strip. Then it lasts forever. Well, its lasts a full 6 months until due for a mask and headgear replacement by my insurance.
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cheryl said:hi there, I can check and see if my DME has this mask. Do you have a thin face too? With the one I have now, I like it except for a few spots and the bottom chin level straps are very long for me. I have thought about getting a kids mask, but havent seen any online that would work. And my DME uses size small for kids of the adult masks...I am just so frustrated. Did you try any others that came close to your zzz mask? I really dont want to use my own money just yet and want to get the mask from my med supplier DME people...thank you for your comments Judy!
Judy said:The ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask is very lightweight. There is little to it which is what I like about any mask I use. Its drawback is that the headgear is too large for most of us and it really is easiest to have a second pair of hands that understand mask fitting to help. In my case, I have to put a fold in at least the bottom straps to determine the best fit and then cut the fold out and put the cut ends back together w/a velcro strip. Then it lasts forever. Well, its lasts a full 6 months until due for a mask and headgear replacement by my insurance.
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Permalink Reply by Ginny Edmundson on
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Hi~I am new to CPAP (about 5 weeks) and have the same problem as you noted. DId you ever find a solution? I am quite disheartened by the lack of fitting masks. Unable to nasal pillows due to "mouth blowing" so need full face mask but have small, thin petite face. No resolution in sight. Not sure what to do.
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I have a thin face, and it is long, too. I used to get terrible red marks on my nose. I even started using moleskin pads which helped some but didn't fix the problem. It turned out I was using a mask that was too small. I went up a size and I won't say it 100% solved the problem but it is workable now. I mean, after a couple days, I'd have a bloody bridge and have to take time off from my CPAP. I want to try one of those nose pads next, they look cool. I keep forgetting to call and order one.
I am assuming you have gone through all the fitting routines, making sure stuff isn't too tight or too loose. I found it isn't just that but also the ratio between the tightness of the forehead and the tightness of the lower strap that makes a difference, too. In other words, one may need to be tighter than the other, or if they are, not be. It takes a while of playing around, and with different masks, which are not easy to obtain to try. And by the way, I use the comfort gel mask, I forget who makes it (Respironics, maybe?), and it is lightweight, I think. It is cushy, anyways........... as far as face masks go, that is.
Good luck. Are you having fun yet?
Ginny,
The Comfort Gel seems to me to run a bit smaller than most and has sort of a different shape, kind of rounder,but still not wide. If your face is petite, it may fit it better. Google it and take a look at it and see if it looks like something that would work for you. Ideally, I think it would have a longer shape for me.
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Thanks Laura~Nope not fun! :) Do you sleep on your side?
Laura Carr said:
I have a thin face, and it is long, too. I used to get terrible red marks on my nose. I even started using moleskin pads which helped some but didn't fix the problem. It turned out I was using a mask that was too small. I went up a size and I won't say it 100% solved the problem but it is workable now. I mean, after a couple days, I'd have a bloody bridge and have to take time off from my CPAP. I want to try one of those nose pads next, they look cool. I keep forgetting to call and order one.
I am assuming you have gone through all the fitting routines, making sure stuff isn't too tight or too loose. I found it isn't just that but also the ratio between the tightness of the forehead and the tightness of the lower strap that makes a difference, too. In other words, one may need to be tighter than the other, or if they are, not be. It takes a while of playing around, and with different masks, which are not easy to obtain to try. And by the way, I use the comfort gel mask, I forget who makes it (Respironics, maybe?), and it is lightweight, I think. It is cushy, anyways........... as far as face masks go, that is.
Good luck. Are you having fun yet?
Ginny,
The Comfort Gel seems to me to run a bit smaller than most and has sort of a different shape, kind of rounder,but still not wide. If your face is petite, it may fit it better. Google it and take a look at it and see if it looks like something that would work for you. Ideally, I think it would have a longer shape for me.
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YES! I just switched from the Zzz-Mask full face to the Quattro FX full face and I'm VERY pleased with it! Lightweight, no forehead brace. Its my new favorite mask. I do think the Zzz-Mask is a skosh narrower, at least in the mouth area.
You might also want to consider an oro-nasal mask: a combination of nasal pillows w/a mouth cushion. NOTHING at the bridge of the nose at all. Resmed makes one called the Liberty and the other than I know about is the Hybrid.
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Ginny,
Yes, I like to try to sleep on my side but I also then like to dig my head into the pillow which isn't good for keeping masks in position. Sometimes I resort to going back to sleeping on my back which I never liked but got used to after my accident when it was the only position I could sleep on because of neck and shoulder pain. I still don't feel like I have found the "ideal" mask but I'm not sure they have started making it yet. Maybe somebody needs to start a business designing custom masks for folks. At this point, I would opt for the bag over the head if it were available.
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