Struggling to find a better mask. Any suggestions?

When I was first prescribed a CPAP, I lucked out and they sent me home with a F&P Simplus full-face mask which is the only thing I've found to date that even slightly works for me. Unfortunately, it's not perfect and, over time, F&P has clearly reduced the quality of the silicone, which is causing the minor niggles it had right from the beginning to grow into big problems. I have three challenges with mask fitting:

1) I have a really big head.
2) I have VERY deeply set eyes
3) I have slight hollows along my jawline to each side of my chin

#2 and #3 are what are biting me with the Simplus Full-Face. As the silicone has gotten crappier, the mask no longer seals reliably where my nose falls away into the orbits of my eyes and will either just leak and dry my eyes out or actually shriek so loudly it wakes my wife up all the way across the room. It also leaks in those hollows to either side of my chin but that's just annoying, not a major deal breaker.

Over the last couple of years, I've tried the following masks, according to my receipts. If I can remember why the mask failed, there will be a note but sadly several of them I can't remember what was wrong.

F&P Simplus Full-Face Medium (basically works, just declining in quality and getting leakier)
F&P Evora Full-Face (Sealed but caused sores under my nose)
F&P Vitera Full-Face (a little foggy on this one but I think the same problems as the Simplus plus higher cost)
ResMed AirFit F30 Full-Face (honestly can't remember for sure but I have a vague feeling it might have been the headgear pulling in the back of my neck and causing a sore)
ResMed AirFit F20 Full-Face (completely unable to get it to seal, I think. This one was a long time ago)
Philips Respironics DreamWear Full-Face (terribly noisy in the tubes that run by your ears)


The half-face-mouth-and-nose masks like the DreamWear and the Evora seem like they ought to be perfect since they avoid the hardest to seal area (nose dropping off into deeply set eyes) but so far just none of them are right. I'd love to find one that worked though.

Well, with all that, do you guys have any suggestions for a mask that'll seal better on my weird head?

williaty wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2024 2:24 pm

Well, with all that, do you guys have any suggestions for a mask that'll seal better on my weird head?

mine is the P10. it's a nasal pillow mask. here-

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... k-headgear

some also like the eclipse mask, it has no straps-

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/eclips ... t-by-bleep

good luck!

zonker wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:49 pm

mine is the P10. it's a nasal pillow mask. here-

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... k-headgear

some also like the eclipse mask, it has no straps-

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/eclips ... t-by-bleep

good luck!

Unfortunately, due to allergies, I can't use a nasal pillow mask. I have to have a full face mask that'll allow me to breathe through my mouth or nose depending on what's working better at the time.

williaty wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 22, 2024 6:50 pm

Unfortunately, due to allergies, I can't use a nasal pillow mask. I have to have a full face mask that'll allow me to breathe through my mouth or nose depending on what's working better at the time.

ah. sorry. hope you find a good recommendation.

I have been using the F&P masks (Simplus and Vitera) for 6 years and have noticed no change in the silicone.

LSAT wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 23, 2024 4:08 am

I have been using the F&P masks (Simplus and Vitera) for 6 years and have noticed no change in the silicone.

It's absolutely different. It's thinner, has a lower spring constant, and breaks down faster. When they first came out, I was easily getting 3-4 months out of one before it broke down enough that the silicone got too compliant and started to leak. Now, they come new out of the bag at about where they used to be at month 2 and barely last the month. When I lose one under the bed or forget it in a suitcase or whatever, they also age differently. The early ones yellowed heavily while the newer ones stay clear but sweat silicone oil out.

My F&P silicone cushions last a MINIMUM of 6 months...usually longer.

i'm wondering if a mask liner wouldn't help? see here-

https://www.padacheek.com/

if one isn't available, ask kerren there if she could make one.

good luck!