Source
r/CPAP•
gengerald

Lost and tired...mask help requested

New to the party and hoping to ask for help so I can get some decent sleep (my spouse too)...I have a CPAP prescription and failed the insurance trial period, but refuse to give up.

I am a congested, mouth-breathing, active / side sleeper with a short, full beard and a ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset.

The ResMed AirFit N30i I have leaks from the nose pillows when I turn at night, waking everyone up.

Does anyone have positive experiences with a mask in a similar situation?

  • ResMed AirFit F20
  • ResMed AirTouch F20
  • F&P Vitera
  • Phillips DreamWear Full Face Mask

I was leaning towards the AirTouch but saw the Vitera could be another option worth looking at.

I greatly appreciate any insight you can share, thank you!

Posted Jul 22, 2021, 10:50 PM UTC · edited

314
Lrdoflamancha•

I have AirTouch F20…. 100% no leaks for 14 nights in a row…. Highly recommended

2
gengeraldOP•

Thank you! 2 weeks of solid sleep sounds amazin

1
Lrdoflamancha•

If only it is that easy. I am 14 nights into this process. The head gear wakes me up. Water in the hose gurgling wakes me up. But I am showing improvement I have not felt the need for an afternoon nap in about 5 days. Stick with it… this too shall pass.

2
bfunky•

I solved the water in the house thing. Find a way to get the machine lower than you, water will drain back. Adjust the tube temp and humidity setting. Remember you'll have to adjust this as the seasons change. I also bought a fleece sleeve for the tube. 100% recommend the sleeve, that's the one thing that has made the most difference for me, I don't feel like I sleep with a garden hose anymore.

2
Lrdoflamancha•

I did that, the wrap was a major improvement. Tonight I am trying nose pillow for the first time. The full face mask is too intrusive. Next up is mouth tape….

1
themcp•

I have occasional congestion, am a side sleeper, breathe through my mouth when my nose is congested, have a short full beard, and presently am borrowing a resmed airsense 10 autoset.

I have several masks. When my nose isn't congested I use one of two nasal masks. When I have congestion, I use an AirFit F20. I have excellent results with it, now that I replaced the cushion with one that fits me better. (So, I'd advise checking fit when you get it.)

1
gengeraldOP•

Thank you! Apparently you can try the AirTouch (memory foam) easily with the same setup. Thinking I’m going this route.

1
WokeTemplarAPAP•

I like p10 pillows quietest and least leak of anything I've used ( f30i, n30)

1
gengeraldOP•

Thank you!

1
EverReddyKilowatt•

I've been using DreamWear masks for over a year with a short beard, frequent turn-over side sleeper -

Started with Small and Medium FFMs - those hurt my upper gum.

Tried the Nasal Pillows - painful nostrils

Tried the Nasal Cushions - that was the best, to that point, after finally finding the proper size.

Then I had a couple of occurrences of total nasal blockage, rendering the Nasal Cushions useless, so I figured I should give the FFM a second chance. This time, since I could pick them up at Amazon for about $12 each, I got the Medium Wide and the Large.

The DreamWear Large FFM was the secret for me. With beard, per OSCAR, I finally reached

Average Leak Rate 2.49

90% Leak Rate 7.00

% of time above Leak Rate threshold 0.00%

I also like the DreamWear top elbow and quick disconnect a lot. I run my hose up over the headboard, and the double axis swiveling keeps the hose from kinking as I roll over.

1
gengeraldOP•

Thank you, really helpful to hear about your setup.

1
sixstringmonk•

It might be worth trying the P30i on your current frame ($15ish on amazon) before buying a whole new mask, but nasal masks might not be a good option for you if you are mouth breather. You may learn not to do that after while, but it's a gamble. I sleep on my side and the nasal pillow style works well for me. I find that the dreamwear is a little more comfortable, but I get a better seal with the P30i.

In my experience nasal masks totally take care of my congestion problem at night, but everyone is different.

Good luck!

1
gengeraldOP•

Thank you. This is a good test to do without a $150 new mask.

1
bfunky•

I went through 4 different masks before I found the F20. I rotate between the standard and memory foam cushion, usually leaning towards the standard one. I was on the brink of giving up, couldn't sleep, couldn't breathe, hated life. Tried to avoid full face like there was something wrong with them. Gave in and finally found my groove. Tried the Viera to see what it was like, couldn't get it to seal at all unless it was dangerously tight, went back to the F20 and rock scores of 100 day after day. Now that I'm used to the whole thing, I might try a nasal mask of some sort, but things are too good to change for now.

1