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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on September 8, 2009 at 6:45pm

I have the software and can monitor my therapy. Probably wouldn't have bothered with the nasal pillow masks without the software to confirm that I do not breathe through my mouth unless I am really congested. I have found that often with congestion I can use the nasal pillows as it helps clear my nose.

Many use chin straps, although many times they are not effective. Others tape their mouth or use Polident strips.

The Headrest is an over the head type of mask and the only part that touches my face is right below my nares, the mask sits lightly on my upper lip. Wouldn't part with that mask for any reason!!

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Permalink Reply by Willis J. Johnson on September 8, 2009 at 7:12pm

I have been using the Fisher & Paykel FlexiFit 405 nasal mask. It has been two years, but I use an 8 ft hose with it. I sleep with my mouth open sometimes but I love to flip, turn over, and sleep all over my bed. My long hose gives me freedom. My insurance allows me to change my mask, filters, and hose three times a year. The FlexiFit 405 comes iin two sizes small and large. It is a very light weight for a nasl mask.

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Permalink Reply by Christine C on September 8, 2009 at 7:21pm

Well, I have tried the mirage quattro, ComfortFull 2 and I am currently using the FullLife full face mask. I was very happy with the FullLife mask to start with, but I have developed this nasty sore on the bridge of my nose. At first I thought it was because the mask was too tight, but I when I loosened it just a little bit I had significant leakage. So, I am on to yet another mask. I talked with my DME today and he doesn't want me using the FullLife anymore because he doesn't want me to have the issue of skin breakdown. He has put in an order for the Hybrid full face mask which is just like the mirage liberty they are just manufactured by different companies I believe. The DME that I spoke with today is the General manager of the location that I use. His comment to me was "I don't know why we didn't try that mask after the first one didn't work for you" I felt like reaching through the phone and strangling him. I mean its been a real joy trying to find a mask that works for me, and to think they could have made it a lot easier and I wouldn't have to deal with this huge sore spot on my nose that is just about the size of Texas. I am really hoping that the Hybrid with be "the one". I guess I can get off my soap box now. You only asked which mask we preferred and I gave you a novel....LOL I'll let you know how the hybrid works out

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Permalink Reply by Mary J on September 9, 2009 at 10:33pm

Outstanding information! Thanks so much! This information is really helpful and I have hope that someday soon, I will also find the "right mask" for me.

Without this forum, however, I guarantee you, I wouldn't even know there was an option for various masks! You all are terrific.

Sleepcarol....I used the encore software....and pulled my first report recently...does that show if you breathe through your mouth?

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Permalink Reply by Barbara on September 10, 2009 at 5:54pm

I tried the full mask and I was not able to stop the leaking and therefore, did not get a good night's sleep. Went to the smaller triangular shaped nasal mask which only covers your nose and have slept all night with it. Have had it for about 5 months. Sleep on my side with no problems. I also use a chin strap because I am a mouth breather and it also does the job. Good luck!

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Permalink Reply by sherry on September 12, 2009 at 9:23pm

I tried a ResMed Adapt for a very short time, with a Fisher-Paykel Opus mask..traded both in for a Respironics SV, and a Swift LT, much better. the Respironics seems to ramp a lot more gradually, the Adapt would blow very hard! Maybe because nasal pillows are not supposed to be used with it..I am happy with the Swift LT for Her, nasal pillows, and it works with the Respironics.
I have a long, narrow nose with long, narrow nares, so hard to get the seal on the pillows, also I sleep on my side, so every time you move..you know the drill. Could not use anything covering my long pointy nose due to leaks around my eyes.

I have found that the strap adjustment is the critical element no matter what mask..too tight is worse than too loose. It is amazing how tweaking one strap will change your fit. Also, pulling hair up between straps helps, if I leave it down, the straps slide around a lot more.

I am also finding the longer I am in therapy, the less sore etc everything is getting, it has been just over 4 months now, and it is getting better weekly, I notice it less and less. Worth it to feel this good!

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Scott on September 13, 2009 at 3:22am

As a patient, I still like the comfort classic the best. I'm a diehard :) As a tech, with all the new patients I am finding that the new Mirage Ultra is working best. We have a lot of the Activa LT's here in the lab, but they are rather bulky for the ladies. I find they work better on the men. Granted, the size on the Ultra is WAY off, cuz a large is basically a small, but it's little like the comfort classic.

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Permalink Reply by Jeanne Busam on November 9, 2009 at 2:56pm

I have tried several types of masks which all resulted in leakage. Abount a month ago I ordered RemZzzs Padded CPAP/BiPAP Mask Liners. They have eliminated 99 % of the leakage problems. I am ordering them again today. Hope this is helpful.

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Permalink Reply by Becky Walch on November 9, 2009 at 9:36pm

Well they only gave me one choice,when ,I had my sleep study to. I had a really hard time,it was really uncomfortable. They told me to ,you have breathe out your nose. Like ,I had a choice,it was either that or feel like sufficating. Is there any machines out there,that's air can be regulated? Any info would be helpful. Thank Becky

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Permalink Reply by Christina J Koontz on February 24, 2010 at 2:37pm

Hi Ladies, I was recently diagnosed w/ mild obstructive sleep apnea and will be joining you all on the CPAP sleep journey. This is my first post. I'm just back from my appointment comfirming that I have this condition.

My tech recommended the ResMed 3rd generation nasal pillow model. Does anyone know anything about it or how it has worked. Will it work if I do not yet know if I sleep breathing out of just my mouth or nose (I suspect I do both, though). How do I find out if I'm a nose or mouth sleeper?

Have any of you had success with weight loss? I need to loss about 40lbs to be in the correct weight zone. I've had three different people tell me that I could get rid of this if I loss some weight. What has been your experience?

Thanks all for your feedback. I have to get myself uber educated before the CPAP people call me to set up a fitting.

Chris

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Permalink Reply by amott1973 on February 28, 2010 at 12:38pm

I'm a Swift girl all the way! I've also tried the optilife and the breeze, but the swift models just stay put better for me. I just got the new swift fx and love it.

I have tried nasal masks, but they all seem to hit these pressure points right over my sinuses on both sides of my nose. I just can't tolerate the slightest pressure there. I did use my husbands fullface mask once for a nap when I was sick with a horrible cold recently, and while it worked, it leaked so much compared to my swift models. I might get one for emergencies though. Usually I can do something to get my nasal pillows to work, but sometimes a cold is so bad there is just no way to breathe through my nose.

To answer Christine's question about weight loss. It really will depend on your apnea. Mine is hereditary from both sides of my family. Even thin relatives have had it bad, although most of my relatives are heavy (probably related to sleep apnea too). I really noticed mine for the first time after gaining weight, and when I did lose 40 pounds over the summer I was able to lower my pressure from a 12 to a 9.5. I'm pg now with twins, so gained all that back, but after the babies I'll go back on weightwatchers and lose it again, and more! But I'll stick with my cpap until I get a new sleep study that REALLY shows the apnea is gone. I have a feeling I'm going to have it for life though.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on February 28, 2010 at 5:32pm

I've probably gone thru a good dozen masks in the past 3 years that I've been on CPAP and now VPAP (bi-level). I can't say there was any one that I hated more than the others.

I have found that I LOVE the old Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion but while I don't open my jaw and mouth to breathe, I do experience "the lip flutters" so -

I've only tried two full face masks and fell in love w/the second one and am currently using it. The one I LOVE is the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face.

Neither the Simplicity nor the Zzz-Mask have a forehead piece. Both are very lightweight. Less is better in my book! The headgear of both were too large for me so I had to take a pair of scissors and some velcro to them. Works great!

I was NOT fond of the thin outer cushion cover such as on the Quattro and Mirage. I just never could get those thin outer cushion covers to NOT slice the skin at the bridge of my nose.

I'm not real fond of nasal pillows masks but used the ComfortLite 2 for quite a while. I liked the multiple areas for adjustment for fit. I also liked that it came w/2 sizes of nasal pillows and 2 sizes of simple nasal cushion. It was the CL2s simple nasal cushion that put me on to the Simplicity simple nasal cushion.

I DETESTED the original Swift w/its assinine side hose attachment, never tried the Swift 2 because of the side hose attachment. Liked the Swift LT for Her with its center swivel hose attachment. But prefer my ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face and Simplicity simple nasal cushion. I haven't tried the Swift FX but see no need to since if I want to wear a nasal pillows mask I'm happy w/the Swift LT for her.

Or even the OptiLife altho I usually used the OptiLife's nasal cradle cushion rather than its nasal pillows.

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