[Equipment] Does mask type give different results?

[fred987]

I'm new and still experimenting. I was using a nasal mask but was finding myself sometimes trying to mouth breath so I just switched ( 3 days ago) to full face. 

Besides finding it much hotter, which I dont like, I've also noticed that my O2 is dipping back down below 90% breifly as it was before cpap. Could this be from the full face VS nasal? Does the setting on airsense 10 for "nasal" and "full face" make a real difference? ( I mistakenly left it on nasal the 1st night)

Also I've noticed with full face it fits fine, no leaks the 1st 4ish hours then I start to have leaks then more leaks and seem to be awake more trying to reseat it than i'm sleeping the last few hours - as far as the low O2 vs leak, i have the low O2 in the non-leak time also - and to clarify, when I say leak, Im mostly refering to the very small amount of air seeping out wherever and blowing across my cheek or eyes, which wakes me, not a full blown gushing.

[SarcasticDave94]

It's a maybe on the various mask set modes. I've been one to match mask to type. You won't be penalized for trying all 3 to see what you like best.

[OpalRose]

Hi fred,

I'm not 100% sure, but I've always believed that the mask setting compensates for the differences in air flow to help the machine to deliver the intended pressure.  

It would then make sense to use the correct setting between using a full face, nasal, or pillow mask.

[Hydrangea]

Every mask gives me a different experience. 

Regarding your need to mouth-breathe with the nasal mask: that was a sure sign (for me) that my pressure needed to be raised.

Regarding FFMs leaking after a few hours: for me, I found that after a few hours of sleep my jaw more fully relaxed, and the slack jaw fell away from a good seal and allowed the mask to leak. The only fixes I found were memory foam (of the F20) or cranking the mask tightly against my face.