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[CPAP] Mask Help for Noob - Printable Version

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Mask Help for Noob - Johnnyde94 - 09-18-2020

Hello, I am wondering if I am the only one who has had under the nose sores from the dreamware full face. This happened only a week after I got my machine. I am new to CPAP therapy and am trying to find the right mask. I ordered and recieved the F20 airfit and ordered the airtouch mask. My question is are there any benefits to using a Respironics mask with my dreamstation as I know it has the impedance rating. If there is a benefit what mask do you think is "better" the amara full-face gel or the comfortgel blue. What mask is newer of the two? I'm sorry for all of the questions, my AHI was severe 84, and am trying to get the best therapy possible. Right now my average AHI with treatment is around 5. One last kind off subject question, am i the only one who finds the humidifier on the dreamstation to be way too small and have to be filled again for a full 8 hours.

Thanks a lot!


RE: Mask Help for Noob - staceyburke - 09-18-2020

I would suggest you download OSCAR free from the link at the top of the site. It gives a lot of data people can see and help you with. We can even get a good idea which mask works the best for you. You also need a memory card in the machine (probably already has one in it) and a card reader on your computer again - likely you have it already.


RE: Mask Help for Noob - Johnnyde94 - 09-18-2020

Note: I'm going to set up OSCAR tonight to see more detail between my AHI with the different masks but I believe the F20 is giving me lower AHI.


RE: Mask Help for Noob - staceyburke - 09-18-2020

As far as masks, it is a problem we all share. What is a great mask for one person is terrible for another. With that being said, air leak is the most important part in picking a mask. The more area the mask is in contact with the face the more chance of leaks. So the full face mask is the hardest to control leaks while a pillow mask causes the least amount of leak ( if you are not a mouth breather)

All masks work equally well with all Cpap machines, it is which you can tolerate best with the least amount of leaks. 

On machines the dreamstation is inferior to ResMed in almost every way IMO.  After 5 years of failed dreamstation ownership I bought out of my own pocket a ResMed 10s and my events went from an average of 25 a night to many nights at 0 events and NEVER more than 3 in the 2 months I have owned it


RE: Mask Help for Noob - Johnnyde94 - 09-18-2020

Yeah I’m kinda regretting getting the dreamstation but I don’t think [Commercial Link Removed] Supplier #1
will refund or replace. Having to fill the water in the night is anoying.



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RE: Mask Help for Noob - SarcasticDave94 - 09-18-2020

Standard sized PAP machines may be paired with any PAP mask you want. I say it this way as travel PAPs have compatible mask lists. I think once you get educated on PAP therapy by hanging around here, you'll have more reasons to dislike your Respironics than the small humidifier tub size. Comparing similar Respironics PAP to ResMed is Chevy vs Mercedes. For most users, the ResMed delivers much better therapy, with things like EPR being more than comfort only and faster adjustments for events. Choose whatever mask you find that works best. Pillows and Nasal are easier to tame leaks as they have less real estate under the seal. Less surface means less to leak. There's standard full face if you can't control mouth leaks and a subset of hybrid as in lower part full face and top like a nasal or pillow at the nose.


RE: Mask Help for Noob - Hydrangea - 09-18-2020

I own both the ResMed Airsense 10 Auto and the DreamStation Auto, with the DS being my primary and the ResMed being my travel machine.

I agree about the humidifier on the DreamStation. Here are some ideas:

- You can fill it above the fill line - that can help.

- If you can increase the humidity in your bedroom, that'll decrease how much your CPAP humidifier uses up its water.

- You can adjust the humidity setting on your CPAP. Decrease the humidity level to use less water. But if your mouth or nasal passage feel too dry throughout the night, you know you've decreased it too much. I find I can lower the humidity if I increase the heat.

- Instead of refilling your empty humidifier tank in the middle of the night, you could keep a spare tank pre-filled on your nightstand ready to replace the used-up one.

I live in an arid climate. And I need humidity in my CPAP in order for my mouth & nasal passage to feel comfortable throughout the night. By making the humidity & temp changes in my DS' settings, I'm no longer waking up to an empty humidifier tub.


RE: Mask Help for Noob - Johnnyde94 - 09-22-2020

Good ideas lol I forgot I bought an extra tank with my order. I'm trying to see if I have can get my DME to exchange my unit as it has been under a month and my data is showing I would be much better treated with a Bipap.


RE: Mask Help for Noob - Hydrangea - 09-22-2020

Are you renting your unit? If so, you can just hand it back to them and say you no longer want to rent it.

I've done that.

But how to get a machine you want... that may involve more effort.


RE: Mask Help for Noob - Johnnyde94 - 09-22-2020

(09-22-2020, 10:35 AM)Hydrangea Wrote: Are you renting your unit?  If so, you can just hand it back to them and say you no longer want to rent it.  

I've done that.

But how to get a machine you want... that may involve more effort.

The issue is after I had my car accident I could no longer wait on my local DME who will not be named. They had me wating for weeks and kept giving me incorrect infromation and were very rude.  I ended up buyting it outright from supplyer one and got it the very next day. I have to say the service was great from them. I will try to call there 800 number and see what I can do.