I have been on cpap for 25 days now. I have 2 masks (Opus 360 nasal pillow with headgear and the Zest nasal mask with headgear) that I switch back and forth with. I have to come to realize that I don't like either of them. They aggravate me all night long. I've tried adjusting them a jillion different ways. They end up slipping this way or that way, or frontward or backward, or poking me in the back of the head. I'm desperate to find a comfortable mask that won't aggravate me all night. I know that masks, and opinions of masks, are a highly personal thing, but on the other hand, reviews from other users would be greatly appreciated in guiding me to my new purchases. I would like to buy 2 masks. I'm open to any suggestions~~nasal pillow, nasal mask, full mask~~any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you very much to all for their advice and suggestions. The only points to remember are:
1) I'm female
2) I have a small face
3) I have a small nose
4) I have long hair
5) I use the white velcro chin strap thing that comes with 2 smaller velcro head anchor straps

I'm also open to any ideas and suggestions on chin straps. I tried taping my mouth and it worked okay, but I didn't like not being able to talk to my husband if I needed to in the night. Then last night, even though I had the chin strap on good and snug, air ended up bubbling out through my lips most of the night and it kept waking me up. My mouth and throat ended up dry as the desert. Looks like I may need the chin strap AND the mouth tape together.
Thanks to all!

Try one of the hybrid-style FFMs; they cover the mouth & have nasal pillows. They do not cover the nose or touch the forehead. The RespCare Hydrid that I wear comes with 3 sizes or oral cushion (I have a small mouth & jaw and use the small), 3 sizes of pillows (I use the large as it gives me the best seal) that sit at 2 different heigths (distance between top of mouth and bottom of nose) -- with all those sizes, getting a good fit is pretty easy IF this style of mask fits your face. The ResMed Liberty comes in 2 sizes and each sizes comes with 3 sizes of pillows. This is coming from someone who wore a pillow mask for 17-18 months and loved it (started losing therapy air thru lips that meant retiring that mask).

Oh Muse-Inc, thank you so much. I'm putting it on my list right now. I really like the way it has many methods and options for adjustment. Thank you for your input. I am unable to buy any products where I live and so I have to fly to the US to buy these things (no mail delivery of medical goods to here, it's against the law, and even if they did let it pass, the import taxes and bribes would be prohibitive). So my shopping trip will not be cheap, but I feel like I must do it if I'm ever going to get better. Did you order if from your DME or from a website? Where do you think is the best price? Thank you again.
~~gail

I buy from our host http://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCare-Hybrid-CPAP-Mask.html ; they are located in Houston, TX. A suggestion: set up a mail box with a 'receipt and forward' company so you will have a US address; I'm sure there are companies who will forward to your location, that's if you trust your mail system (some don't I know). On the other hand, relatives or friends who live here might be able to help out.

An easy, entry-level nasal mask, very comfortable if used correctly - Respironic Comfort Fusion.

SG

One of my kids is supposed to come down in a few weeks, but since he hasn't set a date yet, or bought his tickets, and he keeps pushing his date farther and farther out......I don't want to wait for him to bring it.

Unfortunately the area where we live doesn't have the other type of mail service that you suggest. I've heard that Lake Chapala and San Miguel do, for example, but not us, not yet. Sometimes we can find a gringo or tourist going north to post our letters for us over there in the states, but it's hit or miss. I ordered a book that way (gave the money to a gringo going north, and another gringo coming south brought back the book), but it took 6 months to get here!

SuperGeeky,
The Respironic Comfort Fusion, have you used it? Is that the one in the little picture of your equipments? You say it's comfortable if used correctly, can you elaborate on that advice? Thanks!

Comfort Fusion was my first mask given to me by the DME. Many folks try many many masks. I settled on this one and never looked back.

I have three masks, including this one. When my Apnea increases, due to stress etc, I'll use Comfort Fusion. You don't have to tighten this mask to keep leaks down. You should be able to fit your finger under the straps comfortably.

You start the CPAP blower, pull the Mask a 1/4 inch or so out from your face and then place it on. Makes for a tight seal. The edges of the cushion are special in that way.

It was a nice mask to start with because it's very low in 'foo bar'. Quite a learning curve starting CPAP Therapy. Mask should be simple, comfortable and low in leaks. NO 'FOO BAR!!' Too many other things to think about, like 'what should I ask my Doctor?'.

Also, easy to clean. Pop out the cushion, wash strap and all, hang in bathroom, dry by bedtime.

It has a pivoting gadget you pop in for the lower part of the strap. Designed so you can undo twists easily. Very little fiddling to get it on and off.

$100 bucks or so, first one lasted a year. Tossing and turning strains plastic between forehead and nose, eventually breaks.
Search or site, many have tried solutions to fix it after breaking.

Good luck,

SG

sierragail wrote:I have been on cpap for 25 days now. I have 2 masks (Opus 360 nasal pillow with headgear and the Zest nasal mask with headgear) that I switch back and forth with. I have to come to realize that I don't like either of them. They aggravate me all night long. I've tried adjusting them a jillion different ways. They end up slipping this way or that way, or frontward or backward, or poking me in the back of the head. I'm desperate to find a comfortable mask that won't aggravate me all night. I know that masks, and opinions of masks, are a highly personal thing, but on the other hand, reviews from other users would be greatly appreciated in guiding me to my new purchases. I would like to buy 2 masks. I'm open to any suggestions~~nasal pillow, nasal mask, full mask~~any and all suggestions are welcome. Thank you very much to all for their advice and suggestions. The only points to remember are:
1) I'm female
2) I have a small face
3) I have a small nose
4) I have long hair
5) I use the white velcro chin strap thing that comes with 2 smaller velcro head anchor straps

I'm also open to any ideas and suggestions on chin straps. I tried taping my mouth and it worked okay, but I didn't like not being able to talk to my husband if I needed to in the night. Then last night, even though I had the chin strap on good and snug, air ended up bubbling out through my lips most of the night and it kept waking me up. My mouth and throat ended up dry as the desert. Looks like I may need the chin strap AND the mouth tape together.
Thanks to all!

I use the mirage swift lt for women. It is made for women and comes with xs pillows. I also pull my hair out over the back strap, it really helps keep my mask in place. Try using something wide under your chin like a eyemask. I use something similar and it keeps my mouth shut much better than a chin strap. An ace bandage cut to size would probably work. The PapCap works great for this also but I would try something wider first to test, just be sure to tie it as close to the front of your head as possible, that works best for me.

sierragail wrote:I may need the chin strap AND the mouth tape together.

That's what I use, together. Using both of those together is the only way I can really control, on a consistent basis, my tendency to mouth breathe during sleep.

I would have to wear a FF mask if I didn't use tape/chinstrap. I like less bulkiness than FF masks. I like to be able to lay the side of my face absolutely FLAT on the head pillow, with no parts or edges of a mask being pushed even slightly by the pillow. And without having to hang my snout out over the edge of a pillow.

The mask I like best for sleeping with the side of my face flat on the pillow is the Headrest nasal pillows mask by Aeiomed.

Many people have found it great for sleeping in any position, including on tummy.

I can use that mask with or without its own headgear. I like it better without, using my own homemade straps (legs cut off a pair of pantyhose tights.) You can see a picture of it with the homemade straps here:
http://www.tnlc.com/Lara/laura/osa/Me-H ... -small.jpg

More about that mask, which has had several different names:
LINKS to HeadRest nasal pillows mask topics (same mask has had other names: Aeiomed Aura, then Headrest, then Invacare Twilight NP, then back to Headrest again.)
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=3098

You can see some mods and fixes for several different masks at the Lab Rat awards page:
LINKS to Lab Rat Trophy awards
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=15104

Hanging the hose overhead is often the final piece of the puzzle to keeping a mask in place:
LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=10640

I use a Respironics Comfort Curve - purchased through Cpap. I have tried nasal pillows - but they irritated my nose; and small face mask - leaked, made my upper lip numb, left me with 'potty face' in the morning. Have used Comfort Curve for a couple years now, and probably won't try anything else.

Wow, thanks so much to all who gave feedback. I've been reading them all day!
RestedGal, your links to all the personal modifications have been a super help. I'm still in the process of looking at them all. Thank you so much for providing these links. They have given me confidence to try to come up with my own modifications, taking bits and pieces of advice here and there from all the suggestions. I loved the picture of you resting comfortably in your pantyhose rigged headgear! I feel really good now to go forward and try my own hand at modifying what I have, and also to try out some other masks in the future, when I get back to the states again. Thanks!