ResMed's Mirage FX Mask. Pluses and Minuses.

I normally use Respironics Comfort Classic, but in the past two weeks have been trying out ResMed's Mirage FX. There are some negative and positive features about the mask and straps, but before listing them, thought I'd ask other members for their opinions.

That's funny... I was just laying here in bed, having switched back to my Opus 360 from the Mirage FX. I had an issue with nose irritation a few nights ago, so my DME gave me the Mirage FX to try instead, so I could take a few nights off the nasal pillows and give my nose a rest. I made it two nights with it, and put it on tonight, but had to bail.

Pros: I was pleasantly surprised that the part that goes up to the forehead doesn't actually touch your forehead. Overall, it was fairly comfortable.

Cons: All that contact area with my skin is hot and sweaty. Leaks and higher AHI! The straps around my neck don't move with my head - every time I moved my head up or down in bed, the mask would get too tight or leak. Redness on the bridge of my nose and strap marks in the morning. Took a LOT of wiggling to get it to sit comfortably and not pinch the bridge of my nose. The diffused vent air stream blows out in all directions, so it was hard to find a place where it wasn't blowing on my arms. The hose flops all over and pulls on the mask (I love that the hose on my Opus attaches to my head and moves with me).

cowlypso wrote: The diffused vent air stream blows out in all directions, so it was hard to find a place where it wasn't blowing on my arms. The hose flops all over and pulls on the mask (I love that the hose on my Opus attaches to my head and moves with me).

Thank you. Yes, the exhaust blowing on my hands inhibits my going to sleep. I have to put the bedsheets over my hands and arms. Wish ResMed would have sealed off a few ports 180 degrees apart, so that no matter if the hose were pointed down or up, no exhaust would blow on the hands or arms. According to RM Tech Support, the end user is not supposed to seal off any of the ports for the following three reasons:

• 1.You risk reducing CO2 washout to levels where you may be re-breathing too much CO2.

• 2. You will change the expected pressure-flow curves that the flow generator algorithm expects, and hence cause unexpected behavior in the device

• 3. The reported leak figures in the flow generator and any generated reports would be incorrect.




ResMed could have easily enlarged the other ports to compensate for the closure of a select few. ResMed's Activa LT, and other masks, have this same exhaust issue which can be a problem for those of us who sleep in the preferred left or right lateral decubitus positions.

ANOTHER FRUSTRATION: The straps are not that easy to remove and reattach to the mask for convenient application and removal of the mask. So it's more convenient to lift off the mask with the straps attached. This is easy with the Comfort Classic, but not with the Mirage FX, Ever try removing the FX mask while keeping the straps in place ? (Pulling the mask forward and lifting upward).

Guess what untoward event usually occurs ?

Any more responses ? Or does virtually no one else use this mask ?

Physician wrote:Any more responses ? Or does virtually no one else use this mask ?

Sorry, I don't use this mask nor have I ever tried it.
You have had quite a few reads. I would expect that since the Mirage FX is relatively new that not many people have tried it yet that are here at the forum and seen your post.
There are several reviews at cpap.com product site though.
Will give it a bump to bring your post back to top though.

I

I'm new to cpap, and the Mirage FX for Her is my first mask.

IMO, it's very comfortable and has a good fit with no leaks (at least for me). It didn't leave any significant marks on my face. I could fall asleep pretty easily with it on, considering I'm new to all of this. I even woke up at one point surprised that I was wearing it (thought that I'd removed it) -- I actually couldn't feel it and had to touch it to convince myself that it was on my face!

I chose the "for her" model because the mask is slightly smaller (I know their website says the regular and the "for her" are the same, but at my DME dealer I compared them and indeed the "for her" model is a bit smaller and fits my face better). I also like the "for her" straps -- not because of the lavender color (I could care less), but because the straps are bit smaller and have a "hair management system" which enables me to get my long hair out of the way (I can't stand feeling it pasted it to the back of my neck when I sleep).

Overall I'm quite pleased so far, but eventually I would like to try nasal pillows -- when I get totally used to using a cpap all night long.

I hope this helps.

My husband also just got the "regular" model which he plans to try. Right now he has a full face mask, and isn't sure if a nasal-only mask will work well because he has a deviated septum.

ala5081 wrote:I was placed on this Mask as my first one as a CPAP Patient and my experience was about the same as others. Nasal irritation and the most aggravating one is the Vent Air blowing in every direction especially on your hands. I solved that problem with a Hose Cover that I bought early in the game because the bumping and rubbing of the hose bothered my Animals that sleep with me. Yes I know....but that solved the vent problem. I no longer use this Mask, I self prescribed myself a more suitable one and am a much Happier Camper.

Which new mask did you self-prescribe ? How is it better than the FX ? How is it not as good as the FX ? What is your pressure ?

zeeclass wrote:
Overall I'm quite pleased so far, but eventually I would like to try nasal pillows -- when I get totally used to using a cpap all night long.

Why do you want to use pillows ? What is your titrated pressure ?

Physician wrote:

zeeclass wrote:
Overall I'm quite pleased so far, but eventually I would like to try nasal pillows -- when I get totally used to using a cpap all night long.

Why do you want to use pillows ? What is your titrated pressure ?

I might want to try nasal pillows because it seems that they are "lower profile" than a mask, and I might be able to sleep on my side more easily with them. That's just an observation. I'm not sure if it would really be that way. I would just like to have the least amount of stuff hooked up to my face as possible, as long as the treatment continues to be successful. Of course if I try nasal pillows and my AHI goes up or something I would switch back to my Mirage FX for Her.

My titrated pressure is 6, so I'm a lightweight. So far, in the 3 nights I've been on CPAP, my AHI went from 19 (the number from the sleep study) to 1.5. Can you believe that, 1.5?! Amazing!

Now if I can only get my neck to feel comfortable when I sleep on my side. Ordered the Contour CPAP pillow today and will see if it helps. I'm supposed to get it on Tuesday so my first night using it will be Tuesday night.

I use a Resmed Mirage Softgel. The name FX does not appear. It seems to be the same though. Its a good mask but nose bridge problems may eventually make me change.

ozze_dollar wrote:I use a Resmed Mirage Softgel. The name FX does not appear. It seems to be the same though. Its a good mask but nose bridge problems may eventually make me change.

Not the same.


http://www.resmed.com/us/products/mirag ... c=patients

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/mirag ... c=patients

zeeclass wrote:

Physician wrote:

zeeclass wrote:
Overall I'm quite pleased so far, but eventually I would like to try nasal pillows -- when I get totally used to using a cpap all night long.

Why do you want to use pillows ? What is your titrated pressure ?

I might want to try nasal pillows because it seems that they are "lower profile" than a mask, and I might be able to sleep on my side more easily with them. That's just an observation. I'm not sure if it would really be that way. I would just like to have the least amount of stuff hooked up to my face as possible, as long as the treatment continues to be successful. Of course if I try nasal pillows and my AHI goes up or something I would switch back to my Mirage FX for Her.

At a six pressure you'll do fine. Above 12, many users cannot tolerate the noise of the air flow in their nostrils.

last night was my first trial of this mask. It is a keeper! I have used nasal masks for 9years and this one is greatI

There is a review at clinicalsleep dot com that I found helpful.


edit: I purchased this mask and a chin strap because I have recently started mouth breathing--sometimes. I tried a Quattro FX for 4 days. It was disastrous! I exchanged the mask for this one, because:
-mask fit
-simple construction
-mask exhaust is quiet (Quattro FX--couldn't lie on side facing my wife it was so forceful)
-bought a chinstrap to hold jaw closed

mask--ok and far easier to remove than Quattro fx
chinstrap--bad choice

result--still mouth breathing, and frustrated. Frankly it is very hard to get help from DME supplier.

I moved from Mirage Quattro to Mirage FX recently. I had developed ear ache with FX which I never had with Quattro before. I had to pull straps real tight to avoid leaks and this could be th reason for ear ache.