[Equipment] 12 months of therapy. Tried several masks/nothing working

[Tiredkiwi]

I am about 12 months in to CPAP therapy. These are all the masks I've tried and why they didn't work. Hoping someone can suggest another one.

Eson 2: mouth won't stay closed, tried cervical collar and mouth taping, not successful. Mouth blows through tape or mouth fills with air or blows open with collar. Wake every hour or so.

Dream wear full face mask. Cant get a decent fit.

Vitera: Bad leaks.

F30: Cant get a decent fit.

F20 airtouch and airfit: actually fits, thought this was the one but constantly causes my nose to itch, tried everything to stop the itch but nothing stops it. Think its the air blowing through mask and drying out my nose. Wake up every half hour or so. 

Thought about the F10 but wondered if I would have the same issues as the F20?

Thought about the Simplus but thought I might have the same issues as the Vitera.

Any help would be appreciated thanks

[SarcasticDave94]

I've used both Simplus and Vitera. I found out the straps need adjusted in a certain order and never going tight.

As I recall, I used the over head strap first to set the height of the mask, especially the nasal bridge and chin. Next was bottom set then top set. The forehead bar was about half inch away from touching.

Make sure machine is on when you're adjusting mask. What I've done is loosened the straps, leaning back on pillow, hold mask in place, modify finger tension till there's no leaks, remember the feel of that tension then duplicate with straps.

No matter the make and model of the mask, tight ain't right. If you feel you have to go to the uncomfortable tightening range, something isn't correct for you, cushion size, mask itself, incorrect adjustment, etc.

[Dawei]

Here's what may sound like an unusual suggestion about mask choice. I'm also a mouth breather and developed serious nose bridge sores when I used the traditional FFM (triangle designs) plus being a back sleeper.
Then I found the Respironics FitLife total face mask which avoids all contact with the nose and allows for as much open mouth as needed/desired. I have been using it for several years now.

My DME recently told me they no longer carry the FitLife because Respironics discontinued it. That proved to be untrue. So, I bought a couple more online.

As a replacement, my DME sent me a ResMed AirFit F30. I've tried it for a couple nights now and found that I can get a good seal pretty easily. To do so, the mask isn't very tight on my face. As Sarcastic Dave mentioned, tight aint right for mask adjustment. Wondering if you measured the width of your nose and tried the small or medium F30, the only 2 sizes it comes in?

David


Certainly agree with Sarcastic Dave's comment about tight aint right for mask adjustments.

[Tiredkiwi]

Thanks Dave and Dawei for tip about not having mask too tight. I try to get it about right, I find that if its too loose though I get leaks anyway, I have struggled with every mask but the eson 2 and f20 to get good fits with minimal or no leaks.

Dawei: I'm not sure what size F30 i used, I just tried that one on in store, I don't think it was even close!

Appreciate the help

[SarcasticDave94]

If I failed to mention, I have had best results adjusting while under CPAP pressure and lying back as close as possible to a sleep position.

[Phaleronic]

So with the F20s you're getting itchiness inside your nostrils or on the skin where the mask touches the bridge of your nose?