Looking for a better mask
I'm using the AirFit F20 and I am looking for something that will hurt my face less on the sides and dig into me less.
There are not nearly as many options as people will have you believe.
Is the AirTouch much better?
I want something with a thick gel like cushion.
There is something called Philips Comfortgel Blue mask. But it has the forehead thing (I assume that will give me forehead wrinkles) and the elbow in the front doesn't look like it quick disconnects like the ResMed ones. That is very important to me.
Are there DIY options? Has anyone ever modified a mask with their own creation?
I used to see an umbrella in the store with a soft mushy gel handle. I wish I could have a mask with a seal made out of that.
RE: Looking for a better mask
Broomkstick, the Airfit F20 is a compatible fit with the Airtouch F30 facial cushions which a memory foam material and gives better comfort. I would try those first before investing in a whole new mask.
RE: Looking for a better mask
(07-22-2019, 03:32 PM)WarEagle Wrote: Broomkstick, the Airfit F20 is a compatible fit with the Airtouch F30 facial cushions which a memory foam material and gives better comfort. I would try those first before investing in a whole new mask.
Quick clarification - the F30 is a hybrid FFM (under the nose and covers the mouth) and is not compatible with the F20 headgear. The AirTouch you mentioned is actually also an F20, and is fully compatible with the F20 AirFit headgear and frame.
RE: Looking for a better mask
I love how the F20 with memory foam feels and seals! I highly recommend it.
RE: Looking for a better mask
(07-23-2019, 02:20 AM)Hydrangea Wrote: I love how the F20 with memory foam feels and seals! I highly recommend it.
Do you think local DMEs would let people try on the foam mask (they would let you try on the silicone version, for sure)? I'd be interested in "downgrading" to the F20 from the nasal pillow if it means that my seals would be significantly better.
RE: Looking for a better mask
(07-23-2019, 02:20 AM)Hydrangea Wrote: I love how the F20 with memory foam feels and seals! I highly recommend it.
How long does the memory foam cushion last for you?
RE: Looking for a better mask
(07-23-2019, 03:09 AM)vroomvroom Wrote: (07-23-2019, 02:20 AM)Hydrangea Wrote: I love how the F20 with memory foam feels and seals! I highly recommend it.
Do you think local DMEs would let people try on the foam mask (they would let you try on the silicone version, for sure)? I'd be interested in "downgrading" to the F20 from the nasal pillow if it means that my seals would be significantly better.
Good question vroomvroom.
My DME does. It was hard to find a good DME where I am; I talked to everyone I saw with mask marks to ask who their Sleep Doc was, What DME they had, and were they happy with each.
The happiest person I talked to uses a Philips Resporinics blue gel full face mask He's used it for years. He buys online, because he knows his size.
I never had issues with the pad on my forehead from nasal masks I used (Respironics, ResMed.)
I tease my DME that my bald spot comes from mask headgear, and they should do a better job fitting. 
RE: Looking for a better mask
(07-23-2019, 03:09 AM)vroomvroom Wrote: (07-23-2019, 02:20 AM)Hydrangea Wrote: I love how the F20 with memory foam feels and seals! I highly recommend it.
Do you think local DMEs would let people try on the foam mask (they would let you try on the silicone version, for sure)? I'd be interested in "downgrading" to the F20 from the nasal pillow if it means that my seals would be significantly better. A good DME should. My DME made me come in and try it on before they would let me take it. They measured me and made a good guess as to my size, and it fit perfectly-ish; so I guess it worked out, that they didn't have to toss it.
The nasal mask I get the best seal with is the Wisp. Have you tried it? And Nuance Pro seals perfectly for me, too.
(07-23-2019, 06:38 AM)MitchS Wrote: (07-23-2019, 02:20 AM)Hydrangea Wrote: I love how the F20 with memory foam feels and seals! I highly recommend it.
How long does the memory foam cushion last for you?
I just did an experiment, and it lasted me 5 weeks before it started leaking. I wash my face each night right before I go to sleep, so I have to assume that helps.
For this experiment, I did not ever wipe/clean the foam. (In the past when I had tried to wipe/clean the foam, it tore. That's an expensive bummer.) I did wipe the inside (from the non-foam end) a couple of times, due to accumulated moisture.
RE: Looking for a better mask
I was using the AirFit F20, Medium for many months with an uncomfortable fit - digit into my cheek bones too. I tried the AirTouch F20, Medium for about a week with worse results. The foam seal seemed to roll inward, as opposed to simply compressing, making the overall mask fit feel much smaller than a Medium. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get just a simple compression, it alway rolled inward. Then I double-checked with ResMed's fitting tool and figured out that my face measures squarely in between a Medium and Large. So I decided to try the AirFit 20, Large. So far, good results in many ways with the Large cushion. I purchased a Large AirTough F20 to test and see if it too has a "roll-in" feel of the memory foam which might net a fit and feel somewhere between a Medium and Large. Haven't done that test yet, but plan on testing it for a couple weeks. Then I plan to post a product review with my findings.
Not sure if this helps much, but the perfect mask eludes me as well. I look forward to read any progress you make in getting a better-fit mask.
RayBee
~ Self-Treatment - via ApneaBoard experts.
~ Self-Pay - no help from Kaiser other than getting my script, then a pat on the butt and out the door.
~ Self-Educated - via ApneaBoard experts, its many users, and posted reference material.
~ Complex Apnea - All Night AHI=34.2/h, Supine AHI=45.5/h
~ Using a 2021 16" MacBook Pro M1 Max, 32 GB, 1 TB, macOS Monterey V12.6.2.
~ Pay no attention to the dog behind the cup, he ain't a docta, and does not give medical advise.
~ Woof, woof.
RE: Looking for a better mask
(07-24-2019, 05:23 PM)RayBee Wrote: I was using the AirFit F20, Medium for many months with an uncomfortable fit - digit into my cheek bones too. I tried the AirTouch F20, Medium for about a week with worse results. The foam seal seemed to roll inward, as opposed to simply compressing, making the overall mask fit feel much smaller than a Medium. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get just a simple compression, it alway rolled inward. Then I double-checked with ResMed's fitting tool and figured out that my face measures squarely in between a Medium and Large. So I decided to try the AirFit 20, Large. So far, good results in many ways with the Large cushion. I purchased a Large AirTough F20 to test and see if it too has a "roll-in" feel of the memory foam which might net a fit and feel somewhere between a Medium and Large. Haven't done that test yet, but plan on testing it for a couple weeks. Then I plan to post a product review with my findings.
Not sure if this helps much, but the perfect mask eludes me as well. I look forward to read any progress you make in getting a better-fit mask.
I too, am using the AirFit F20 in large. That's what I used in my two night in-lab sleep study. I tried an F30, and did well for a few months.
All of a sudden, the F30 was leaking air on me, badly. I went back to the F20 and all is good.
|
