FULL FACE MASK FOR SIDE SLEEPERS

[robynphunt]

I am wondering if anyone has had success with a full face mask when sleeping on their side. I need to wear a full face so nasal ones are not an option. My mask is a medium Mirage Quatro which I find often leaks when on side even with many adjustments. It is weird that I can occasionally get a decent nights sleep with the mask and then the next night no joy at all. Even when I can sleep it only lasts about 4 - 5 hours which I find exhausting. Thought this was supposed to promote good sleep. I cannot afford to try lots of masks as they are so dear and as I live in Australia there doesnt seem to be any generous people like I have seen on this forum who forward on masks or swap to try. I have PM about the pillow but have not heard back yet, is there pillow one can buy made specifically for side sleepers with full face masks? Appreciate any input.

[robertmarilyn]

I've read that the Activa by Resmed is good for side sleeping (which is the only way I sleep). I haven't tried it yet because I am small boned and until recently they only had med and large sizes...I think they are making a small size now and I would love to try it.

The small and Xsmall Quattro didn't work for me...I don't think it would have even worked for me if i slept on my back but it really wouldn't work when I slept on my side.

mar

[Severeena]

I use the Hans Rudolph and I sleep opn my side with no problems

[Wulfman]

I'm a side-sleeper and all I've ever used are full face masks.......but, I also use a water-based pillow and not a normal/typical bed pillow.

Have you done the "Teflon tape fix" to your Quattro mask yet? If not, it'll leak out of the elbow in the front of the mask and feel like it's leaking everywhere.


Den

[ww]

I sleep every night on my side with a ResMed UMFF full face mask and it works without leaks. Same old advice though, wash the mask sealing surfaces with a washrag each night, shave before bedtime, and wash (scrub) your face in the area the mask touches again. Never even thought this stuff was that important, but it is!

[carbonman]

Appreciate any input.

I'm a ffm convert and side sleeper.......
I describe the Quattro as a dance w/the devil.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34880&p=299174

[lance]

I use a medium Quattro and don't have problems with leaks while side-sleeping. So maybe it's just a question of tightening or loosening.......but more likely it's dependent on the individual's facial structure. One thing that I've noticed, though, is that I swallow a lot more air while on my side.

[OwlCreekObserver]

I've had fairly good side sleeping success with my Probasics ZZZ-Mask. Many people hate them because they don't have a forehead support, but I've had two of them so far and MOST of the time I'm able to move from back to side and back again without major leaks. Your mileage may vary.

[Quinda]

I use the Mirage Quattro Medium FFM and am a side sleeper too ... I've found that by using a "Contour" brand pillow that it helps. The contour pillow has sections cut out of it that match the location of where the mask is on your face.

As you know already the Mirage Quattro has four contact points which attach to the head gear ... I also use one more velcro strap (in addition to the head gear) which holds the mask from the center point just above the elbow, thus providing one more point of contact (I feel the most critical one) and that stopped all the leak problems I was having ...

Cleaning the cushion every morning or night, at least on a daily basis helps greatly as well ...

Hope that helps ...

[robertmarilyn]

Appreciate any input.

I'm a ffm convert and side sleeper.......
I describe the Quattro as a dance w/the devil.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34880&p=299174

I have a feeling that IF a Quattro would fit me, it would have to be an xtra xtra small since you had to wear a small Carbonman...even though I am 5' 7 1/2" tall, I am small boned and have the slender face that would go with those small bones. I watched the fitting video repeatedly and used the fitting illustrations and text to help me. If I cranked that thing down on really tight, I could get no leaks but that is not how it is supposed to fit and the pain and soreness with the mask embedded in my face was not tolerable. Back in a thread where they were talking about plastic surgery to make your face fit the mask, that was what I felt like I was trying to do to fit the Quattro to me. I'd wake up with ridges in my shin that took hours to go away. I know that means it wasn't fitted correctly but I could NOT get it fitted correctly. Which made me sad because I would have really liked to use that mask.

I do plan to find a FF mask that fits me but I'll wait until after my next sleep tests...my new sleep doctor mentioned my face being slender and she's going to help me find a ff face mask to fit...I know I can find one on my own too, but the doctor has access to the masks so that I can try them on in person before I buy.

[carbonman]

I do plan to find a FF mask that fits me.

I don't call it the odyssey of the mask for nothing.

[Trinity101]

I use a medium Quattro and I sleep on my side or back with no problems when shifting positions. The only complaint I have is that the headgear is too "tall"by a bit for my head- I know that sounds funny, but when it is tightened, it is almost off the top of my head completely. I have ordered a Stapparatus headgear, and I am hoping that will fit my head better.That is the only complaint I have, is that sometimes the headgear will slide up. If I did not have to readjust THAT, the mask itself stays in place just fine, and fits well. I use the citrus wipes daily, and wash the whole mask about every 2 weeks.
~joan

[robynphunt]

Thank you all very much for your replies, I have found them very helpful.

I am sure I have a mask that is too big and as with Joan the top of the head gear is off the top of my head as well which I guess doesnt help the fitting. Joan would you please let me know how you get on with your new headgear.

Being a woman I dont need to shave very often before bed but thanks for the advice about that,WW. I will however make sure I wash any moisturiser off before bed as this may be part of my problem. I do wipe the mask over every day and wash once a week.

What is the "Teflon tape fix", Den? and where did you buy a water based pillow.

Quinda I do use a contour pillow but have found I have to get into really awkward positions with the mask on which makes my neck really sore which kind of negates the advantages of the contour. Do you mean that you cut out part of the pillow yourself or that you can get comfortable with the pillow as it comes? I dont quite understand what the extra strap is attached to at both ends, will you clarify for me.

Thanks again
Robyn

[reiyeboo]

hi, i am also a side sleeper and i use the hybrid mask, covers mouth and has nasal pillows.

[Severeena]

You can email the Hans Rudolph corporation from their web site and they will send you a brochure and a caliper to measure from the bridge of your nose to just under the chin.

I know the HR comes in 5 sizes, Large, Medium, Small, Extra Small and Petite.

I use the petite.

I have an extra petite HR that I can sterilize in my dishwasher and I can mail it to you, just PM me and I will get it sent out.

That is another good feature of the HR it is all one piece with the exception of the swivel.

Not all Masks work for everyone. Each Person is Different.