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I have been using a cpap mask since the middle of February but I can't find a mask that fits, doesn't have air leaks, or doesn't shift during the night. 

Between the one month swap allowed to me from my insurance company, which I used aggressively, and the cpaplibrary online, I have tried a lot of masks including nasal which I tried until I discovered I sleep with my mouth open.  After that I tried both full face mask and the total face mask.  Also hybrid masks.

The only type of mask I haven't tried are the ones with the strap across the forehead.  I move around a lot.  Does the forehead strap help keep the mask in place better than ones without?  If it does, is one named mask better and more comfortable than another?

I have gotten rid of the air leaks by using mask liners from Remzzzs and Quietus.  The only problem is finding the right size liner for the mask.  

The mask I am using from my medical company and I'm stuck with for the next two months is Quattro FX For Her from ResMed.  It's OK but one of the noisest.  That I can take but every morning around 4-5 a.m. the mask has shifted and the noise wakes me up.  

I am so desperate for a full night's sleep but I don't know what else to try.  The ones I haven't tried beside the forehead strap style is any of the Respironics ComfortGel Full Face Mash which Cpap.com has on sale for $100.  People seem to like it but complain about the sizes.

Can anyone in the forum please help me with some suggestions?  I really need help fast.

Thanks for letting me vent!

 

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My favorite mask is the Respironics FitLife Total Face Mask (not the one size fits all).  Unless you're very tiny you will probably need the large with the small headgear.

Thanks, Mary, I have that one but I still get too many leaks.  I just spoke to the woman from PadACheek and she's going to make me a larger size mask liner to stop the leaks.  The one thing I haven't done that you suggested before was to order the small headgear.  I'll do that now.

Thanks,

Rita

Did you ever try a chinstrap?

 

Rock's recommendation is exactly what I was going to suggest. A good chin strap might make the difference for you on every mask except the full face varieties.

Rita, I tried the Mirage FX for Her (now with a small cushion nasal mask, but that's N/A with my DME yet) with a PapCap. I like the PapCap's cotton straps to function as a chin strap. My husband (the "active" sleeper) swears that the PapCap flattens his hair for consistency every night, so you don't have to go readjusting the straps. I wear the Mirage with Padacheck bridge protectors (the Gecko was comfortable, but hard to position to avoid leaks).

Admittedly, I'm still switching between the Mirage FX and the Swift FX pillows, unlike my contented husband who only wears the Mirage FX with the PapCap. You might have to be a switcher and a padder like me!  

Also, my husband did take a sleeping pill the first few months to get sleep all night long. He is weaning off this now. It might be an option to get accustomed to these masks. Luckily, I never needed the pill as oxygen desats are so severe, I would fear any respiratory depressant. 

Hi Rita, A hose  managment system may also be helpfull. It takes the weight of the hose so when you move the swivel does its thing and you are not dragging the entire weight of the hecr too. Google hose buddy for a picture and make your own ..I did ...saved me a few bucks. Good Sleep,Chris

I too finally ended up with a Mirage FX for her and found 2 things: it is noisy if you have not been sure to insert the gel cushion correctly into the frame and it works better for me when used with a chinstrap. The chinstrap can go on before or after the mask but you may find putting it on after holds the mask in place better. I also put the hose up over the bed head to take pressure off the mask a bit. Even though I am a mouth breather I found this combination much more comfortable than any of the FFMs I tried.

I'm excited to hear that RemZzzs has been helpful. As always, please let me know if you want samples of RemZzzs while you are trying out different masks!  :O)

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