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need mask suggestions
My husband finally got a cpap. He has a comfort gel nasal mask and it isn't working for him. The chinstrap just isn't keeping his mouth closed enough. He has tried my hybrid (it came with bigger sizes that I don't use that fit him). It almost works, but he still has leaking issues. He has an appointment to get a new mask on Tuesday. I'm looking for suggestions. He isn't a terribly active sleeper, but does move some. He has facial hair and a biggish face.
So far, he tries to use it a little each night, but doesn't last long. While he uses his machine, it does seem to help. He even seems to snore less after he takes it off. We just need to find the right mask so he can use it all night. Any help will be appreciated - after all, you all helped me so much when I was getting started!
Views: 487
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joanne Walen on
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Has he tried the nasal pillows? I found those worked best for me.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Baker on
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I'm a fairly big guy (6'4" / 290) so I suppose I have a fairly big head and facial hair...for me, nothing beats nasal pillows!
http://www.cpap-supply.com/Swift-LT-Nasal-Pillows-Mask-p/60560.htm
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Permalink Reply by Craig Wilkerson on
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I have tried the comfort gel and had trouble with air leaking and also it hurt the bridge of my nose. I had better luck with a Zest nasal mask then somebody said to try a Sleep Weaver mask. It is a soft cloth nasal mask and i really like it. it's soft and very light weight and i can move from my back to my side with out any problems. Go to www.sleepweaver.com
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When I first tried working with ResMed, I was given a small mask, which fit just under my nose! I too have facial hair, but found that my mask leaked around my eyes, and I was snoring anyway. I changed out to a medium size gel mask, which allowed me to fit it just above my chin so I now am using it as a "whole face mask!" Before I obtain a "mister," I was also drying out and waking up "rasping!" Now, with the moisturizer, I manage to make it through the night, if I don't take it off after I fill the water tank! This is necessary because I am in Arizona! I also found it most comfortable to fit a small pillow directly into the small of my neck supporting my head and shoulders well! Also, with the CPAP at "bed-level" I have much easier movement during the night, though I sleep mostly on my back "spread-eagle!" (Old habit!)
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Apparently, nothing works for me so far. Have had machine six days. Tried nasal pillows and felt like I was suffocating. Tried Comfort Gel Nasal Mask, and have not slept (Literally, at all) since Thursday night. The mask hurts my upper jaw, forehead and nose, and horrible aerophagia, and I just cant sleep with it on. THe most time I have managed to tolerate it is 3.8 hours, and that took a lot of mental dialog with myself just to get to sleep that night.
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Permalink Reply by Brian Katzung on
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My face tends to change shape a lot during sleep, so the Swift LT works best for me (smallest contact area => least leaks).
Perhaps his real issue is finding the right chin strap for him.
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I use a Breeze with nasal pillows. It's an old design, & I'm surprised they still make it, but it works best for me.
Rock C.
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Permalink Reply by Mack D Jones, MD, SAAN on
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Has anyone tried "No-Mask," the one that fits into the roof of the mouth and holds nasal pillows? Facial hair should be no problem. It looks like a clever idea, but I've never gotten any feedback from anyone who has ever used it. The doc who invented it (for himself, initially) has a website.
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Permalink Reply by Terry on
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I have 2 shoe boxes full of masks that didn't work. I finally settled on the Res Med Mirage Quatro full face mask. The trickiest part for me was adjusting around my eyes. The facial hair didn't seem to matter. (I had facial hair up until a couple months ago) I wish there was a universal answer but there is not. I can tell you that in my humble opinion the best full face is the Mirage Quatro. Good luck and please don't give up.
Terry
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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I use the Respironics FitLife Total Face Mask (not the one size fits all) because it does not touch the bridge of my nose. It is a large mask, fits above the eyebrows to the middle of the chin. I don't know how it would be with facial hair. Good luck finding the right mask. I tried a bunch before this one.
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I spent 3 years until I found a mask that worked for me. I am a mouth-breather with facial hair which I used to keep very short due to the mask problem. Nasal pillows irritated my sinuses. I never found a whole face mask that worked, and then learned I shouldn't use these these due to dry eye problems. The closest I ever came to a solution was an EasyLife (Responics) with a chinstrap (which I have always hated. Almost three months ago the chin strap caused my chin to break out (at 74 years old)
I have just tried the ResMed Quattro FX. My first attempt was fitted incorrectly with a small mask, and I had problems. Someone on this site told me I needed a forehead brace as the mask kept moving, but I had already been that route. Those type cause a mark on your forehead every morning. I was change to a medium size, and for the first time in three years i have a mask that works. No more chinstraps!!! I have now allowed my beards to grow for almost 2 months with no problems. I still use the humidifier every day, but I sleep through the night without problems.
I see Terry directly above uses the Quattro which didn't work for me, but now you have tow choices. I heartily endorse full face masks; get rid of chinstraps!
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I have been using a v-pap machine for almost 4 years. I have to have a full face mask because I have complex sleep apnea. I also breath through my mouth. After at least 6 masks. I am happy with the quatro fx. It fits over the nose, but not on the bridge. It sits under my mouth and keeps my mouth closed. Its not perfect...my neck and jaw are sometimes sore. But the waking up with leaks problem is drastically decreased. It coms in 3 different sizes.
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