Quattro FX -- Please post feedback on it

[Pugsy]

desforsleep wrote:I have a quattro fx. same thing worked great for a week maybe two.. then constantly fighting leaks. 92 last night, but with my apap reporting zero ahi , I will go ahead and use it till my insurance will pay for different mask, I have tried the medium and small on the fx... i think it runs a little large or I could use an ex small

With a leak of 92, I'm not sure your AHI is valid and interpretable.

I think that the F & P has a much more generous Leak Rate amount before it says all bets are off. I don't remember exactly what number but 90 comes to mind. I remember questioning drubin700 when he got his auto and he told me that they said something in that range was acceptable. While I don't remember exactly the number, I do remember it was way over what ResMed says and even Respironics. So while desforsleep reports a 92 it probably does not relate to numbers that we normally would see as numbers where data can be invalid. It's and apples to oranges comparison and we can't go by that. It probably is still a little high but desforsleep is new and working with the Quattro FX and reports feeling well. I would expect that it should get better with more time and experience. If she/he could get the software and actually see what is going on it would of course be better.

[SleepingUgly]

Good catch, Pugsy. I didn't pay attention to the machine, and I am not familiar with that one.

[Ms.Snuffleupagus]

Well, after using the Quattro Fx for the past month and struggling with leaks and many strap adjustments, I think I have finally got it to work. Last night my AHI was 0.9. First time ever for me and especially good considering I use an S8 machine which seems to record much higher HI's than the S9.

I have had to tighten the straps of the Quattro fx, more so than the regular Quattro. I place the mask a little higher than what I consider the "mid-bridge" position is. Also I make sure that the mid-bridge of my nose is really wedged in deep into the upper part of the mask cushion. To do this, once the mask is donned and machine mask fit feature is still on, I use my fingers on either side of the uppermost part of the cushion to open up this area so that I can wedge my nose in a little further. Seems to work well in stopping leaks.

I must say that the mask is more comfortable than any of my other masks, including the Hybrid which I have used successfully for some time.

[bbmiller]

Hi - I have some comments and somewhat pressing questions about the Quattro FX fill face mask.

I initially started my CPAP therapy in September and my first mask was a Quattro fill face mask which seem to work well being pretty comfortable, but always my mouth wih the Quattro FX fill face maskd will occasionally fall out of the bottom of the mask and get dry. Consequently I never went through the expense of replacing the mask seal and instead started looking for other mask. I've been using http://www.sleepnation.tv/trialprogram where I tried the Fisher & Paykel Forma in both medium and large sizes as well as the Respironics Fullife. I initially found Quattro FX fill face mask most comfortable of all the masks I've tried. However when I looked my ResMed S9 machine software report I had terrible leakage problems with this mask and my mouth would still pull out of the bottom of this mask. Accordingly I tried to deal with these problems.

First of all this mask was not in the trial program I mentioned above so I bought it cpap.com with return insurance should I need to try still more mask. I went to my health plans respiratory therapist and showed him my new mask he suggested I needed larger headgear. He said even though you might measure out for a medium size in this mask most men require large headgear. Reminding him about my mouth dropping out of the bottom of the mask problems he suggested I move to a large size in the mask even know according to the measuring tool supplied with this mask I am exactly the facial size for a medium mask. My chin indent occurs immediately below my bottom lip. This respiratory therapist claims this is unusual and consequently if I am having my mouth full out of the bottom of the mask problem I should try the large size.

So I noted the opinions of this respiratory therapist. When I got home and went to sleep last night I initially slept only a few hours and woke up briefly with the mouth falling out of the bottom of the mask problem I mentioned. I tried tightening the bottom straps of their headgear to the point of slight discomfort, hoping this would help the mask seal follow the mouth movement . Well that seem to work better than I would ever hope for. I slept well for the rest of the morning till almost 10 and when I created a software report got the best results I have ever gotten with that tightening adjustment. If you study the report I am posting below you will see what I mean. At a little after four in the morning I wake up briefly having experienced tremendous leakage problems while I was sleeping. After the tightening I sleep very well and get very good results according to the report I am posting below. My pressing question is if you think that I should followed that recommendation of my respiratory therapist and try a large size in this mask. If I act quickly I can have both the large and medium sizes simultaneously at home with return insurance on both. Of course this would be expensive but less expensive than having a mask that will not meet my needs. I have also asked cpap.com if I could use my insurance just to exchange the headgear size. They said since the price of the mask without headgear plus that gear alone is the same as what I have already paid for this mask I could do that with my insurance. So what do you think is a little discomfort with slightly overly tight bottom headgear straps is good as it is probably going to get or is it worth acting quickly and having both sizes at my disposal to see if I can eliminate this little discomfort?

[hose head]

I picked up Quattro FX Thursday. I fought with leaks all night, had a leak rate of over .90, AHI at 11 and felt lousy all day. Looked at all of the book, took nap, adjusted straps and later that went to bed. My fiance woke me up and asked that I change masks. I was talking in my sleep, snoring, and then would have a classic apnea where I stop breathing and then gasp for air. The mask itself would squeal, moan, and face fart. I started the new year with my swift FX and even with the constant changing of pillows my leak rate would climb to .60--.75 most nights. I switched to Activa and got good results with a night every two weeks or so when I think I open my mouth. I have been asked to get another mask this week and I'm leaning to Activa. I am really bummed that new Quattro FX didn't work.

[bbmiller]

Would it be considered spamming on these cpaptalk forums if I were to re-post my above question of the post one above the last in its own thread, with its own title, or is the question I am asking above so on answerable that I should not expect an answer even with a very opinionated opinion?

[SleepingUgly]

Would it be considered spamming on these cpaptalk forums if I were to re-post my above question of the post one above the last in its own thread, with its own title, or is the question I am asking above so on answerable that I should not expect an answer even with a very opinionated opinion?

There's no harm in posting it in a different thread, but I think the question you're asking is not one that anyone can answer for you.

[DoriC]

bb, I think it would be a good idea to start your own thread since you have specific questions(which I myself can't answer)! It might definitely get lost here. The experts always like to see graphs. Good luck.

[Pugsy]

bb start your own separate thread. Many members probably just bypass this Quattro FX thread because either already read it or simply not interested in it.

I don't use it either and have no desire to try it but clicked on this by mistake. I can't help with your question but you will get more attention in your own thread.

[jimnsc]

Because I am about to embark on treatment for OSA I have read every post in this thread with interest. I was leaning toward my first mask being the Quattro FX and needed to know if it was well thought of by people who had actual experience with it. I finished reading, ate lunch and thought. I came back to the computer and re-read some posts that stood out and thought some more. Here is the summary of my thoughts, again from a "newbie" who has zero experience with it.

I already knew that no two faces are exactly alike. I saw several detailed sets of instructions which indicated ways to be successful with the FX that I'd bet everybody doesn't employ putting on and adjusting their masks. I tend to believe that a move was made from the Quattro to the FX to escape nose pain and damage, as well as having more visibility. One individual who is sold on the FX and seems to be problem free stood out - but - then confused me when he/she used every size headband. He/she has to have the perfect head and face for wearing face masks and I'd wager even different masks would also prove suitable for this individual. I want to name one individual who gave the most convincing case for "poo-pooing" the FX for another full face mask and she referred to it as the "UMFF" mask. Stand up and take a bow DoriC as you have me real interested in my first mask being the Ultra Mirage. Your husband's "off-the-air" comments reinforced that. I'm sure the Q-FX will be a winner for a lot of people in the future but like other things, the first runs of a new product are usually not perfect.

I assure you all no malice was intended by any of my remarks and were only the observations of a "newbie" searching for information from folks with experience. Thanks for your views of the mask.

[Guest]

Hi having been following these posts for a while now and hve just now gone from an S6 Elite with an Ultra FF to an S9 Elite and a Quattro FX. A little background...

I started CPAP 10 years ago with a FF mask. The DME's back there had a the attitude of their way or the highway... so I figured everything out and bought online. I feel very fortunate because I hate maintenance so I decided to go without a humidifer and forced myself not to ramp.

Without a DME I ended up scrambling for parts online, used ones on ebay, etc. But one thing I did was toss aside the headgear and use 3/4" to 1" elastic I get from a fabric store and weave it through triglide strap clips to adjust everything.

So back to the FX, when I first put it one I felt air going into my eyes like SU, and no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of it. It seemed to me that the angle of the top straps are pulling the mask up too much and not back against my face. So I got my elastic fabric and I run the bottom one under my ears and top one just over my ears and it works.

Now it has only been one night but it is so nice not to have forehead marks and the FX is very comfortable. My AHI seems a little high at 14.0, but since it has been 10 years since my last sleep test it may just mean I have to have my pressure upped from the original 10.

I hope this helps someone.
John

[nanwilson]

Jimnsc said: I want to name one individual who gave the most convincing case for "poo-pooing" the FX for another full face mask and she referred to it as the "UMFF" mask. Stand up and take a bow DoriC as you have me real interested in my first mask being the Ultra Mirage. Your husband's "off-the-air" comments reinforced that. I'm sure the Q-FX will be a winner for a lot of people in the future but like other things, the first runs of a new product are usually not perfect. "Jim's quote"

I too got excellent advice from Dori to try the Ultra Mirage...and she was right.
She gave me the advise way back in Nov. but I had to save up my pennies to get one. Fortunately I have had it for about 3 weeks now and its great. Fits way better that the quattro as it was leaking air into my eyes, the umff fits lower on the bridge of the nose so less problems with my dry eyes. I also am using my padacheeks liner from my quattro on the umff and it works very well. But since I got a new mask, I had to have the new liner from padacheeks
Cheers and good luck
Nan

[Pugsy]

Now it has only been one night but it is so nice not to have forehead marks and the FX is very comfortable. My AHI seems a little high at 14.0, but since it has been 10 years since my last sleep test it may just mean I have to have my pressure upped from the original 10.

I hope this helps someone.
John

John, are you going to stay around the forum for a while? If so would you please take the time to formally register and add your equipment to your profile?

Are you aware that software is easily available for your S9 and using it might explain that AHI you are having? You may already know this but I just wanted to mention it in case you didn't know.

[DoriC]

Jimnsc said: I want to name one individual who gave the most convincing case for "poo-pooing" the FX for another full face mask and she referred to it as the "UMFF" mask. Stand up and take a bow DoriC as you have me real interested in my first mask being the Ultra Mirage. Your husband's "off-the-air" comments reinforced that. I'm sure the Q-FX will be a winner for a lot of people in the future but like other things, the first runs of a new product are usually not perfect. "Jim's quote"

I too got excellent advice from Dori to try the Ultra Mirage...and she was right.
She gave me the advise way back in Nov. but I had to save up my pennies to get one. Fortunately I have had it for about 3 weeks now and its great. Fits way better that the quattro as it was leaking air into my eyes, the umff fits lower on the bridge of the nose so less problems with my dry eyes. I also am using my padacheeks liner from my quattro on the umff and it works very well. But since I got a new mask, I had to have the new liner from padacheeks
Cheers and good luck
Nan

Thanks, glad my suggestion worked for you both. Finding the right mask is such an individual choice. And I want to add that with the "UMFF" it seems to seal even better after the "break-in" period, so we get 6-8months out of it and probably would get more if the headgear didn't stretch out so much. My husband is a little rough with the straps if he needs to adjust them himself during the night.

[Bobby269]

I started with Quatro FX 5 days ago. The first 3 days my Ahi's were 3.6, 2.9 & 3.1. No major leaks. The second two days were 1.3 and 0.9. No major leaks.
Because of the size of my face it needed very little adjustment to fit properly. For me it almost can't be put on wrong. The best part is no red nose bridge and no red marks on the forehead. ( used Mirage Quatro FF mask)
It seems to be doing well for me.