Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on September 8, 2009 at 8:08am

When I first started two years ago I was given a Fisher and Paykel HC 431 full face mask. I had told the tech at the sleep lab that I breathed through my mouth at times and had allergies.

Was never given a choice of masks and no other mask was tried on me. When I received the script it specifically stated the Fisher and Paykel 431 in size small. I used that mask for several months. I got along with it fine, had some leakage, irritation of the face, and the usual stuff. I have skin sensitivities and after several months my face became even more irritated where the seal touched. I had an appointment with my primary care doctor and she was kind enough to give me a script for a mask of my choice.

I had been reading some of the forum and knew about the different types and styles of mask. I wanted to try a nasal pillow mask and when I went to the DME requested that type. I use in Lincare and the ONLY nasal mask our office carries id the Optilife. I took that mask to try. I liked the feel of freedom that type of mask offers. I didn't like the design of the mask, although I did use it for a few months. I then began my quest for "THE" mask.

I have used full face masks, nasal mask such as the Activa, nasa prong masks, and nasal pillow masks. At that time I tried nearly every mask on the market with a few exceptions.

I settled on the Headrest mask. It is the one I have found that touches my skin the least and seals the best for me. I have had to do some modifiying to get it to fit, but love it.

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Permalink Reply by Phyllis Hearst on September 8, 2009 at 9:53am

MaryJ and Sleepycarol, is the Headrest mask full face or just the nose? I tried the nasal pillows and had NO luck. Every time I changed positions, they came out. I found out that they now come in a smaller size than Small, but my supplier does not have them in, at least the last time I called a couple of weeks ago. I should try again because I hate the marks that the nasal mask leaves on my face in the morning.

sleepycarol said:

When I first started two years ago I was given a Fisher and Paykel HC 431 full face mask. I had told the tech at the sleep lab that I breathed through my mouth at times and had allergies.

Was never given a choice of masks and no other mask was tried on me. When I received the script it specifically stated the Fisher and Paykel 431 in size small. I used that mask for several months. I got along with it fine, had some leakage, irritation of the face, and the usual stuff. I have skin sensitivities and after several months my face became even more irritated where the seal touched. I had an appointment with my primary care doctor and she was kind enough to give me a script for a mask of my choice.

I had been reading some of the forum and knew about the different types and styles of mask. I wanted to try a nasal pillow mask and when I went to the DME requested that type. I use in Lincare and the ONLY nasal mask our office carries id the Optilife. I took that mask to try. I liked the feel of freedom that type of mask offers. I didn't like the design of the mask, although I did use it for a few months. I then began my quest for "THE" mask.

I have used full face masks, nasal mask such as the Activa, nasa prong masks, and nasal pillow masks. At that time I tried nearly every mask on the market with a few exceptions.

I settled on the Headrest mask. It is the one I have found that touches my skin the least and seals the best for me. I have had to do some modifiying to get it to fit, but love it.

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Permalink Reply by Christine Myers on September 8, 2009 at 10:54am

Hi Sleepycarol. I started out with the nasal pillows but was told I would need a full face mask because I apparently sleep with my mouth open. Did you find that not to be the case? I have an Activa full face mask, experience some leakage and cannot wear moisturizer at night, I wanted something less cumbersome.

Thanks for your input. Christine.

sleepycarol said:

When I first started two years ago I was given a Fisher and Paykel HC 431 full face mask. I had told the tech at the sleep lab that I breathed through my mouth at times and had allergies.

Was never given a choice of masks and no other mask was tried on me. When I received the script it specifically stated the Fisher and Paykel 431 in size small. I used that mask for several months. I got along with it fine, had some leakage, irritation of the face, and the usual stuff. I have skin sensitivities and after several months my face became even more irritated where the seal touched. I had an appointment with my primary care doctor and she was kind enough to give me a script for a mask of my choice.

I had been reading some of the forum and knew about the different types and styles of mask. I wanted to try a nasal pillow mask and when I went to the DME requested that type. I use in Lincare and the ONLY nasal mask our office carries id the Optilife. I took that mask to try. I liked the feel of freedom that type of mask offers. I didn't like the design of the mask, although I did use it for a few months. I then began my quest for "THE" mask.

I have used full face masks, nasal mask such as the Activa, nasa prong masks, and nasal pillow masks. At that time I tried nearly every mask on the market with a few exceptions.

I settled on the Headrest mask. It is the one I have found that touches my skin the least and seals the best for me. I have had to do some modifiying to get it to fit, but love it.

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Permalink Reply by Cassie on September 8, 2009 at 11:01am

I use the Mirage Nasal Pillows mask and I absolutely love it.

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Permalink Reply by Mary T on September 8, 2009 at 11:07am

Hi Ladies. I currently have the Quattro full-face mask by Respironics. I also have the Mirage and now the newest Respironics full-face mask. I couldn't handle the nasal pillow mask with the Mirage - I was waking up with headaches. So, I switched back to the Quattro. I guess I got used to that. The newer type of mask has made the upper bridge of my nose very sore so during the night I switched back to the Quattro.

I wake up every morning with indentations in my face from the full-face masks. It doesn't seem to matter which one I use. I have to adjust them and tighten them numerous times when I first put them on because of air leakage around the seals. If I change sleeping positions it seems to affect the masks. This is annoying. As long as I don't move around, I'm fine. I am sleeping so much better with the cpap and mask though.

What I don't want to wind up with are permanent grooves in my face. Is anyone else experiencing this also? What remedies have you tried. I have heard about a product called RemZzzs, which are some sort of cover one can use to place between the mask and skin. Has anyone tried these? I'm starting to get desperate and may resort to cutting up a tee-shirt to make my own. Any advice? Thanks.
Mary

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Permalink Reply by Belinda Haman on September 8, 2009 at 11:50am

I originally started with the Swift LT for her nasal pillows, then allergies, sinuses and other problems caused me to search for a different mask--I tried the Aclaim 2 nasal mask, the Respironics Simplicity Nasal Mask--but the one I have chosen to stick with since July is the Resmed Mirage Swift II (it has a different style of nasal pillows that I can tolerate better that the swift LT) and I need a chin strap to keep my mouth closed.....

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Permalink Reply by Susan M. Nelling on September 8, 2009 at 12:23pm

I made my own silk covered padded strap covers in a tube shape, . you could make them of fleece as well. works wonders. also a gal has them for sale at padacheek.I use the hybrid mask with nasal pillows.sometimes its annoying if I move too much. but life is 100 times better with it !

Mary T said:

Hi Ladies. I currently have the Quattro full-face mask by Respironics. I also have the Mirage and now the newest Respironics full-face mask. I couldn't handle the nasal pillow mask with the Mirage - I was waking up with headaches. So, I switched back to the Quattro. I guess I got used to that. The newer type of mask has made the upper bridge of my nose very sore so during the night I switched back to the Quattro.

I wake up every morning with indentations in my face from the full-face masks. It doesn't seem to matter which one I use. I have to adjust them and tighten them numerous times when I first put them on because of air leakage around the seals. If I change sleeping positions it seems to affect the masks. This is annoying. As long as I don't move around, I'm fine. I am sleeping so much better with the cpap and mask though.

What I don't want to wind up with are permanent grooves in my face. Is anyone else experiencing this also? What remedies have you tried. I have heard about a product called RemZzzs, which are some sort of cover one can use to place between the mask and skin. Has anyone tried these? I'm starting to get desperate and may resort to cutting up a tee-shirt to make my own. Any advice? Thanks.
Mary

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Permalink Reply by tushygalore on September 8, 2009 at 12:39pm

I wear a full face mask too and it's forever leaking into my eyes! I've found a little relief from wearing an eye mask underneath my cpap mask.

When I first got my machine I asked for the nasal pillow and that was a disaster, sore nostrils were horrible and I ended up just breathing through my mouth anyhow and had to trade it out for the full-face.

I'm anxious to see what the other ladies have to say on this topic!

-Elissa-

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Permalink Reply by Vicki E Jones on September 8, 2009 at 12:51pm

I have major problems with masks, period. I have very, very sensitive skin - can't be in contact with silicone - so I have to make liners (Pad A Cheek products don't have enough cushioning, even) for between the mask and my skin. I did well with ResMed Swift II nasal pillows, but I am now on VPAP Adapt SV, which ramps from 3 to 15 pressure, for Central as well as Obstructive sleep apnea (i.e. both neurological and obstructive forms of sleep apnea).

I am worst with full masks that don't have gel, but even with the thick blue gel, I get sore on the bridge of the nose, even with the liners I make (microfleece, cotton knit, or both). I returned the new FullLife mask, which sits lower on the nose, because I still needed a liner to keep the silicone from being in contact with my skin, and there is not way to do that with the FullLife.

The problem with VPAP or SV machines is that when it ramps up (which it does when it senses you are coming to the end of an exhale, by dropping exhale pressure, so it ramps up to make you start the next breath instead of an excessive delay before starting your next breath - which is Central sleep apnea), using only a nasal mask or nasal cushion is a bit much, i.e. that much pressure going all into the nostrils.

I also have a problem with the seal breaking when it ramps up to the max set pressure - the pressure breaks the seal unless I do the straps really, really tight. The other problem is a lack of fat in my face (long-standing Fibromyalgia breaks down fat in the face and soles of feet, which it has done), and a receding chin (retrognathic jaw). I wear a mandibular advancement appliance (acrylic oral appliance, to bring lower jaw forward), but it only helps a little, because I also have long-standing TMJ and the jaw joints won't allow the lower jaw to be advanced much.

The receding chin presents even more fitting problems, means pulling the straps even tighter, and need liners for that, since I can get a better fit with something on my chin as a thin cushion than without something to help the receding chin. Masks just aren't made for my facial problems.

Has anyone tried the frameless gel mask...is that a CPAP Pro or something? Don't know who makes it.
Open to ideas on masks that would accommodate my contact problems and facial contour problems.

However, it has to be compatible with the ResMed VPAP Adapt SV machine, OR - and I may press for the other Central sleep apnea machine because of problems with the VPAP not recognizing enough brands/styles of face masks (compatability is limited) the Respironics BiPap SV, which is the only other machine on the market for Central or Mixed sleep apneas. Any ideas, anyone?

I have tried Quattro (returned), Soyala by Weinmann (too sore - no gel cushioning), FullLife, nasal masks, the Swift II nasal pillows, ResMed ComfortGel, etc.

I am hoping the new EZ Fit - or is that Easy Fit? gel full mask that is coming out sometime this fall, made by Weinmann but will be sold by DeVillbiss, like a gel version of the Soyala, will be helpful, but it will be too soon for my insurance to pay for it, and I'll have to buy it online as cheaply as possible (and it won't be cheap).

Any ideas, anyone? Anything new coming out or just up for sale now?
HELP! I need something that doesn't keep me awake half the night, once sore areas have set in,
that is compatible with the Central sleep apnea machines. I used to be on CPAP and was happy with
the Swift II nasal pillows and the CPAP machine. Now it is more complicated. Last night, the
ResMed VPAP Adapt SV wouldn't recognize the Swift II and "learn the circuit" (to add it).

In fact, every time I change to a different mask, I have to run "learn circuit" and if it won't learn
the circuit for that mask, I can't use that mask, Swift II or otherwise. Yesterday, it wouldn't
recognize the ComfortGel Full mask, but did at bedtime. That gives me sore areas by morning,
though, because I have to pull the straps so tight, even with the liner I made for face, bridge of
nose, and forehead.

Thank you.
Vicki in Illinois, justushw@comcast.net
*********

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Permalink Reply by Elise M Webb on September 8, 2009 at 1:17pm

When I started using a mask they brought me a nasal mask. It worked well but I have a very flat face (really) and my dentist mentioned that I needed to not have any pressure on my upper lip, due to extensive dental work. He said that is may undermine the interity of the work done. So I have switched to a full mouth/nose mask. It works pretty well, there are occasional leaks, but I roll into a different position and that seems to solve the problem. I have not had problems with irritated skin at all, though I have been very diligent about washing my face and the mask regularly. Hopefully those will not be a problem for the future.

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Permalink Reply by Elaine Hooton on September 8, 2009 at 2:50pm

I use the ResMed Activa. I really like it. I've tried the full face mask and one other I can't remember.

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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on September 8, 2009 at 3:48pm

Your mask may be too big. If it is constantly leaking into your eyes you may want to go to a smaller masks. Just a suggestion. Sorry to crash your party ladies. Carry on.

tushygalore said:

I wear a full face mask too and it's forever leaking into my eyes! I've found a little relief from wearing an eye mask underneath my cpap mask.

When I first got my machine I asked for the nasal pillow and that was a disaster, sore nostrils were horrible and I ended up just breathing through my mouth anyhow and had to trade it out for the full-face.

I'm anxious to see what the other ladies have to say on this topic!

-Elissa-

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