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Permalink Reply by Judy on April 27, 2009 at 8:39am

Rock, the other masks I was fortunate my current (second) local DME supplier allowed me to try were:

Respironics ComfortGel Petite Nasal Cushion (too heavy)
Respironics ComfortGel Small Nasal Cushion (still too long)
Fisher & Paykel Aclaim 2 Nasal Cushion (too big)
Respironics Simplicity Medium Simple Nasal Cushion (I switched to the Small and found "MY" mask!)
Resmed Mirage Quattro Medium full face (I have NO idea why the sleep doctor ordered this size!)
Resmed Mirage Quattra Small full face (the thin outer cushion cover cut the bridge of my nose and I couldn't come up w/a "fix")
Resmed Mirage Micro nasal cushion (still not quite small enough, still a bit too long - ordered by the sleep doctor when switched to a bi-level and a complete surprise that he ordered it!)

We finally solved the high Leak rate by adding the Respironics white basic chin strap, PN 302175. The black chin strap w/a hole for the chin was too much, too thick material and the chin hold irritated my chin. The basic white chin strap is so light weight, the silky chin cradle is comfortable, the velcro squares allow exact positioning so easily and the chin straps stabilize the mask headgear as well. I've also found hanging the hose above the head works well. I've never needed a hose cover at home, but if did I learned during my bi-level titration that if you are going to use one to be sure to chose one made of slippery material. The one used during the titration was not made of a slippery material and the hose tugged on my mask every time I changed position or even just turned my head.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 27, 2009 at 6:20pm

here's an alternative to cpap.com that I've heard about: http://www.ezcpap.com/retail.aspx

sleepycarol said:

I don't use Direct Home Medical -- I just copied the link. I DO use this particular mask --just didn't get it from them.

They do seem to have a wide variety. I have purchased from www.cpap.com. They do offer price matching on items --means if you can find it cheaper they will honor the lower price.

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Permalink Reply by wlenz on April 27, 2009 at 9:43pm

I completed one full year of BiPAP use April 26th. The mask I was given is the Respironics Comfort Gel. It works for me, however, I was leaking air through my mouth. I started taping my lips and my leak rate went down. I now apply lanolin to the mask and this lowered the leak rate some more. I have allergies and am interested in the results of others on this forum. There have been a few nights I could not use the nasal mask, so no BiPAP those nights. If you have a full face mask that alleviates allows mouth breathing, I am interested.
Bill

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Permalink Reply by amott1973 on April 27, 2009 at 10:04pm

I think I was pretty lucky in that from the titration on I've been pretty comfortable with my mask. I seem to have pressure points on my face that are hit by any nasal mask, so went with the Swift for the titration. That worked fine for me, so I kept that.

I then tried the Opti-life and the Breeze, but both seemed to require so much adjusting in the middle of the night for me that I wasn't sleeping well. So I went back to the Swift and got the Swift II. That works just as well as the original Swift for me.

When I had a chance to try a new mask I thought I'd try a nasal mask for those nights when my nose is just feeling sore, so I got the Mirage Activa. It doesn't push quite so hard on those pressure points, but it leaks so much more than my Swift. Mostly down where the dents are between your cheeks and upper lip. Guess I just smile too much in my sleep or something. :)

I'm now on my second Swift II, but I do seem to have a problem with them. After using them for a while (like a year I'm talking) the side-ports (where the hose goes in one side and a plug goes in the other) seem to start leaking. They replaced my first Swift II because of this, but now the replacement is doing the same thing after a year or so. I suppose maybe you're just not supposed to use them that long, but it seems like they just stretch out or something there.

I just talked with my new medical equipment place today and they're sending me the Swift LT (although they didn't specify which one, so we'll see what comes). I can't wait to get it! It seems that with the hose coming off the front it might not have the same weakness of the Swift II. I've never had my DME mail me a mask like this before. My insurance carrier just switched the DME company on me and it's been a huge hassle to get them to do anything. Before I was always able to try them out in the office and then had 14 days to decide to keep it or trade it. Not sure how this new DME works.

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Permalink Reply by Lynne O'Luanaigh on April 27, 2009 at 11:29pm

I am very new to the whole CPAP thing, but I will give my 2 cents anyway. I tried the nasal pillow during the sleep study and I could not breathe out with the air being blown up my nasal passages. I was given the face mask and I found it much easier to exhale. I have had claustrophobia problems but I was told that the face mask is what is given to people that have claustrophobia.

I had to use the mask during the day in front of tv to get used to the mask and breathing out while air is rushing in. I am better with the mask, but sleeping with it is very uncomfortable. I snooze on and off for about 3-4 hours before I take it off and get some 'real' sleep. The bridge of my nose hurts, the seal keeps leaking, I can't make the forehead bumpers too tight or I end up with a headache it is constant adjusting to get a couple of hours of broken sleep.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on April 28, 2009 at 7:40am

Surprisingly to many people, loosening the top headgear straps and tightening the bottom straps is more effective at reducing leaks around the eyes.

Starting the mask slightly lower on the nose, below the bridge of the nose, lifting the mask slightly off the face to allow it to refill w/air and then letting it lay back down on your face whilst slightly shifting it upwards into proper placement on the bridge of the nose turns the edges of the cushion under so that those edges don't cut into the skin will help w/the sore bridge of the nose problem. Hanging your hose above your head, or at least clipping the hose to your PJ front will reduce or eliminate the tugging of the hose downward which is another cause of a sore bridge of the nose.

The biggest mistake newbies make is to tighten the headgear too tight. The mask cushion needs to be FULL of air to properly seal and tightening the headgear too tight defeats that purpose.

Running your fingertip along the seamline between mask cushion and face also reduces or eliminates many small leaks.

Facial tissue is also subject to the law of gravity and you should always be laying down as you fit your mask for the night.

There are some masks that allow for adjustment of the angle between forehead and bridge of nose which can help to reduce or eliminate the forehead or bridge of nose tenderness.

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Permalink Reply by Melinda Hertel on April 29, 2009 at 7:24pm

Hi, Rock. I have to say that I am mostly partial to ResMed masks. I have a lot of success with the Micro, Activa, and Quattro. But, really it comes down to trying to troubleshoot each patient's issues. I've tried most of the masks that we carry which helps me know how they work and how they might fit the different face shapes. One of my favorite full face masks is a "generic" made for Roscoe Medical and a few other companies. It fits about 98% of the patients I try it on and it doesn't have a forehead support, so their field of vision is clear. It seems to just suck onto their face. I love it! As far as nasal pillows masks, I like the Breeze and the Swift LT. The only problem with the Swift LT is the minimal headgear--there are quite a few patients that can't keep it on their head when sleeping.

I personally use the Activa LT--I get a great seal with minimal face marks. I also can use the Micro, but prefer the Activa LT.

What do you use frequently?

Melinda

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Permalink Reply by Judy Sharp on April 30, 2009 at 8:54pm

Hi, When I first started my cpap I was offered the Mirage nasal mask, I really didn't like it The edges of the mask
would poke into my eyes, then they gave me a Mirage FFmask I kinda liked it but it did the same thing with my
eyes, So I bought the Optilife nasal mask, I really liked that one, Then I bought the Swift LT. nasal mask and I like
that one also, so that's the only masks I ever tried.

Judy S.

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Permalink Reply by Rock Conner RRT on April 30, 2009 at 9:43pm

Thanks for all the responses. I appreciate it, & the CPAP users who come to my offices will benefit.

Rock

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