What mask should I try first?

USMCVet · Post by **USMCVet** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 3:36 am

Monday I go to follow up after sleep study. I've already been told by anesthesiologist I have sleep apnea. I just want to be prepared for appointment.

What mask should I try first?

I'm definitely a mouth breather and sometimes have nose congestion. I also like to watch TV for a little bit before bed and wear glasses.

I've been thinking maybe the Amara mask might be right for me? But I figure you all have much more experience. Thanks!

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 5:36 am

Whenever you try on FF masks you need to be lying down... your face changes a lot, pulls back, etc. And what works for one will be all wrong for another's face, so you need to try various.

Look at the options on Cpap.com - best variety, lots of pix, reviews, etc.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 6:28 am

Given your preferences the Amara View is as good a place to start as any.

All masks comes with a big YMMV sticker and you just have to try them yourself to see how well you do with a mask.
One man's treasure is another man's trash when it comes to masks.

I actually have used the Amara View successfully and that is saying a lot for me being a nasal pillow person. It's the only full face mask I have actually every slept with so I can't give you any other comparisons.
It is the mask I have available in case I had something happen and I couldn't use my nasal pillows. I have yet to have to use it. The only time I have slept with it was when I first got it to see if I could sleep with it. Did a few nights just to see if it would work and that's it

bigdave36 · Post by **bigdave36** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 8:09 am

A quick note on the Amara View. My first try with it was a no go due to leaks. It turned out to be the wrong size cushion, a large vs the medium I use now with good success. Hopefully they will have a sizing template at your dme when you go for your fitting.
Good.Luck

RicaLynn · Post by **RicaLynn** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 8:27 am

bigdave36 wrote:A quick note on the Amara View. My first try with it was a no go due to leaks. It turned out to be the wrong size cushion, a large vs the medium I use now with good success. Hopefully they will have a sizing template at your dme when you go for your fitting.
Good.Luck

Yep, a big part of the YMMV is fit, which the DME should definitely help you with in a dry run, ideally lying down with a machine set to your pressures. I do not use a FFM (though like Pugsy if I ever need one the Amara View would be my choice) but it still took some trial and error to get the right size nasal pillows for me.

Don't be discouraged if the first mask doesn't feel quite right after a few days; ask questions here for help with fitting, and if it truly doesn't work for you your DME *SHOULD* be willing to allow you to try another without additional cost.

FrederickRose · Post by **FrederickRose** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 8:40 am

I would try a nasal mask or pillows like ResMed P10 or Respironics Dreamwear before concluding that you definitely have to breathe through your mouth.

I've been a nose-congested mouth breather all my adult life until I put on the nasal mask with heated humidification and let my nasal passages open up, heal, and let my brain revert to nose breathing. It didn't take that long either.

YMMV and of course there's nothing wrong with going with a full face mask. I'm just suggesting you give it a try the other way as well!

luvsbluberries · Post by **luvsbluberries** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:15 am

The only problem with the Amara View is that people with glaucoma need to consult a doctor to see if it is okay for your individual situation (this was told to me when consulting the Philips Respironics RT by telephone). I am being monitored for glaucoma, so I have opted not to use this mask. (ETA: part of this has to do with the pressures you are prescribed too, so higher pressure means it is more important to consult your doctor. I find it a little distressing that no one mentions this when recommending the Amara View. It looks like a really good mask, but there are some qualifiers that people should be made aware of.)

I am using the F&P SimPlus. Although pictures make it look like you cannot wear glasses with it, I have no problem sliding my glasses behind the plastic frame (it sits suspended well away from my face).

luvsbluberries · Post by **luvsbluberries** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:27 am

FrederickRose wrote:I would try a nasal mask or pillows like ResMed P10 or Respironics Dreamwear before concluding that you definitely have to breathe through your mouth.

I've been a nose-congested mouth breather all my adult life until I put on the nasal mask with heated humidification and let my nasal passages open up, heal, and let my brain revert to nose breathing. It didn't take that long either.

YMMV and of course there's nothing wrong with going with a full face mask. I'm just suggesting you give it a try the other way as well!

This is a really good point. I have heard several times of 'mouth breathers' that stopped doing it when using pillows.

Of course some people still have trouble with mouth breathing, so it definitely is YMMV. And you just won't know until you try it out. Just to let you know, cpap.com has a Return Insurance available which allows you to test out a mask (I'm sure there must be limitations, so read their info about it), but for the popular masks, Return Insurance is free. Be sure to check each mask-of-interest to see if it qualifies. I just ordered the ResMed P10 because it is so popular - it has free Return Insurance.

USMCVet · Post by **USMCVet** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:32 am

Lot's of good info.
I will be going through the VA so I have no idea how their fitting process will go.

It sounds like trial and error is really the only way to go. Anyone know or heard anything about getting supplies from VA? I wonder if they would give me two different masks to try.

USMCVet · Post by **USMCVet** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:37 am

I recently had EKG that showed I have a left bundle branch block which I assume was caused by hypertension but next month I have appointment with cardiologist.
Would like effect what mask I should wear or even treatment for SA that any of you can think of?

luvsbluberries · Post by **luvsbluberries** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:47 am

USMCVet, I don't know about the VA, but I would highly recommend researching the different options before you go in. Go to the ResMed site, and if there are masks that appeal to you, find their fitting guide and try to determine for yourself what your size will be. In this way, you will be able to tell if you are being fitted correctly at the DME and be able to ask informed questions. Do the same for the Philips Respironics masks. Those two companies are (generally) carried by everybody, as far as I know (but I've only been doing this since September).

I've visited 2 different DME's. Both let me try out different masks in their office while hooked up to a machine. You definitely need to try them on under pressure, and feel free to lie down with them too, as has already been mentioned. I took a pillow along with me.

I left with one mask and was able to replace it. I kind of doubt that they would let you take two, but you should be able to swap them out (it seems like most places allow a month to try out different masks if the first one isn't working for you).

From your research of masks, you will know if your mask is supposed to come with assorted sizes in the starter package. If it does, be sure to leave the DME with ALL of the bag contents. I made that mistake and had to go back because the nasal pillow I was sent home with was too small. (sometimes DME's will keep the 'extra' sizes and resale them to someone else)

Good luck on Monday!

luvsbluberries · Post by **luvsbluberries** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:49 am

USMCVet wrote:I recently had EKG that showed I have a left bundle branch block which I assume was caused by hypertension but next month I have appointment with cardiologist.
Would like effect what mask I should wear or even treatment for SA that any of you can think of?

It might be wise to put this in it's own thread so that more people will see it. It is kind of hidden in this thread.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 9:52 am

The potential heart issue shouldn't make any difference with your mask choice.

DonS · Post by **DonS** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:02 am

USMC Vet, I am also a USMC Vet also and do get my supplies from the VA. When I started I used the amara view and it did not work well so they gave me a different mask. Now using the swift fx nasal pillows with great success. If you care to pm me I can give you what info I know. Semper Fi

Mark55 · Post by **Mark55** » Sat Nov 25, 2017 10:13 am

My ex DME had me pick out my first mask from two choices. I had 30 days to swap it out for something else. The something else didn't work, so I was SOL for 3 to 6 months until I could change styles. By then I was labelled non-compliant of course. I am now bypassing all that garbage and doing it myself. Hopefully the VA is better than Crapria.

BTW,...the Amara View is a really nice mask, it just wouldn't work for me though. I tried both medium and large, and watched all the videos with fitting tips, but could not get it to stop leaking. Each of us is different of course, and it might be the perfect choice for you.

What mask should I try first?

What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Re: What mask should I try first?

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask

Machine	Mask