Mask issues

I am the guy from NZ that Pugsy kindly helped out - and a very big thanks to her for that. The same masks - if we can get them here in NZ - are often at least twice the price as they are in the US.

I am having a little hiccup with the Tap Pap pillow at the moment - it having created a sore spot on the edge of one nostril, as mentioned in my last post on the "New TAP PAP mask review" thread. But I ain't done with it yet by any means.
So yes there are the downsides in being across the other side of the world and not being able to use the 30 days return policy (though I do have the even better "Pugsy return policy"), but I think one upside of this is that it gives more incentive to really give the mask a decent good try, and not be tempted to think "this isn't working very well so I better return it before the 30 days are up". In other words - I may put the mask to one side (like I am forced to at the moment) for a while and then I can always pick it up again and give it another try (perhaps after altering or adjusting it) without the constraints of the 30 days time frame. and eventually get it fitting good and adjusted to it. I wonder how many people (after returning a mask) - "I wonder if I could have made that mask to work with a bit more time?"
Sorry Pugsy if you were thinking you might get that mask back anytime soon - its not looking too hopeful yet!!

I hope you get your pillow irritation/adjustment problem sorted out soon SnoringinDXB - there are quite a few of us battling with the same issue. Nothing like knowing we are not alone in this struggle.

I wonder if I have had a breakthrough!

Tried the Mirage Micro mask for the first time last night. The headgear was loose but comfortable and most importantly kept the mask in place. The mask seemed a good fit - no leaking at all, and I didn't get that claustrophobic feeling I got with the Softgel. No nasal soreness at all because of no pillows against the septum, and a very good 7.5 hours of sleep with 0.0 AHI! I haven't looked at the more detailed data yet.

The only thing is noticed was a a faint red outline around the nose caused by the mask and also that my whole nose up to the bridge seemed slightly red.....but not at all sore.

If pillows don't work out for me at least it looks like the Micro does. I am sticking with the Micro to see how the redness issue works out, then I will go back going to the pillows and am going to give it a couple of weeks trying to make it work. I will still try to get the Swift FX though as the LT headgear is not working well for me.

I guess there is a mask out there to suit everyone....it's just a case of finding it.

newsnore wrote:In other words - I may put the mask to one side (like I am forced to at the moment) for a while and then I can always pick it up again and give it another try (perhaps after altering or adjusting it) without the constraints of the 30 days time frame. and eventually get it fitting good and adjusted to it. I wonder how many people (after returning a mask) - "I wonder if I could have made that mask to work with a bit more time?"

A month into my cpap treatment, I asked about getting a second mask. I liked my first mask (Quattro FX), but I was still struggling with some leaks even though it fit perfectly at the sleep study. I had no plans to trade it. I just wanted to know if I could try a second mask. The DME did go ahead and get me another mask, and I was surprised when he told me not to throw away the first one. Seriously? They billed over $300 for it. Why in hell would I throw it away? I did like the new mask (hybrid mask), but I had trouble getting the pillows to stay leak free for more than a couple hours. A couple weeks later, I learned about the smaller headgear, and after switching DMEs, I got the new headgear, and my Quattro FX fits great now. So, I am glad I did not trade it in or get rid of it. But then, I knew I liked it. I just wasn't very good at getting it to fit yet.

I would eventually like to try new masks. You never know when you find something better. But I Am pretty happy with this one.