old dude wrote:Lukie wrote: Well, except for the Philips Amara. Very few people seem to have much good to say about it.
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I guess I am in the "minority report" again. I have been CPAP'ng since Oct of last year. I was issued a MIrage Quattro with a S9 Autoset. My unit was first set to CPAP mode with two to three weeks rechecks while I was in the VA hospital for other things.
In December the tech turned the Autoset on for a period due to unresolved high AHI's. Both Central and Obstructive.
I got into a period of high congestion. For four days I could not use the unit for more than an hour or so. The mask literally felt like it was going to fly off my face.
He then issued me the Respronics Amara Gel mask. It also has the regular original silicone insert in the package for those that don't want to use the the gel.
The S9 was reset for CPAP at 15cm, and my AHI has been much much lower ever since.
Probably a combination of factors, but the Amara Gel mask has helped me. I have used the Quattro about three nights since I've had the Amara and the AHi levels went higher again, albeit not up to the 40's I had been seeing.
With the Amara Gel I have been pretty consistent with AHI under 5.0. When I used the Quattro in this recent period, they went back up over 15.
Oddly enough since I have been using Rescan and Sleepyhead I see that the Quattro shows less leakage than the Amara Gel. I personally notice more leakage with the Quattro than the Amara gel. The machine disagrees. Funny how perception ensues.
For me I think it the inherent firmness of the inner Gel support allows a tighter and more uniform seal around my nose and eyes. It took me three days to place it on the right spot for me. It really helps to "pivot" the mask down from the forehead onto the chin. After that I've had no sore on my nose. I do have a slight indentation on the skin, but no felt irratation or redness. I like the fact that the mask is more compact than the Quattro, it makes it easier for me to locate in the correct spot. I still have to
firmly strap it to my face - like the Quattro.
One day I tried using the normal silicone insert that comes in the package. BIG FAIL. Leaked like it was cheesecloth.
So there are some of us who may see an advantage with the Amara. Just be aware the new package has both the Gel and the Silicone insert. The snap in / snap off feature of this facing insert is MUCH easier than the two piece frame and silicone seal of the Quattro by the way.