03-02-2024, 11:37 AM
Finding right mask- 1 week in
I’m on my second week and I’m doing decent overall but due to a number of factors I can’t quite figure out what mask to use. I have several masks here. All ResMed. F20 that I did my test in. They also gave me a nose mask not sure of number but haven’t tried it yet. Has front hose and is not the pillow or cradle kind it’s an actual mask). My medical supply place gave me and f30i to try bc I mentioned the f20 loses it seal in side and stomach sleeping. I also asked for an n30i bc my mom likes it.
My factors so far
1- I prefer a top tube (snorkel) bc I toss and turn and I like to stomach sleep although I typically sleep in ALL positions at some point.
2-The most comfortable mask for me was the f20 full mask. Less claustrophobic and although straps left marks on my face I didn’t care as it didn’t hurt nose or mouth. Due to high pressure I got a chin strap though. I like to nose breath but on my back at night I wind up mouth breathing and didn’t like that. The chinstrap helps). I don’t like elephant trunk front hose. Unfortunately it loses seal on side some and especially stomach and bc of my air pressure when seal breaks it SHOOTS air into my eyes. But I want to like this mask bc it feels natural. I just pretend I’m iceman in top gun.
3-I tried the F3 hybrid full face mask but with basal cradle. It was recommended bc it might be better for me sleeping on things other than my back. Initial thought was it felt smothering on my nose during the ramp up. It also seemed to retain more moisture and led to me drooling and sniffling. I didn’t use the chinstrap bc I didn’t have it yet (I only tried one night and slept so bad I got a chinstrap and went back to the f20 next night with better results). But now that I’ve been using n30i nasal pillow I’m wondering if I should give it another shot especially bc I like the top hose.
4- the last 3-4 days I’ve worn the n30i with a chinstrap too. Nasal cradle. Things I love - less bulky easy to put on and quick release to go to bathroom. Top hose allows me to flip around in all positions. Things I don’t like- seal breaks on my stomach (preferred position) unless I crank the mask so right like a pig nose. Did that one night and slept the best but not worth the nose pain. Loosened it and if it’s comfortable it breaks seal and air hits my face hisses and wakes me up. Pressure at 20 is a factor. I know nasal pillows are interchangeable with this mask. I’ve thought about it. Not sure I love the thought of pillows up my nostrils and the nose only mask has been leaving me feeling stuffy and dried out with a mild sinus headache. I want to like this mask though.
I’ve been wondering if I should give up stomach sleeping but I really like to at some parts of the night and get my best sleep that way. Side sleeping is ok but I can’t stay in a full side sleep position bc of a rib/sternum injury that flares up when I side sleep too much. I could just sleep on my back with f20 and chinstrap and deal with it but it hurts my back and I don’t sleep as good all on my back. I have wondered if I could put my f20 on the f30i headgear with top hose and then at least I could side sleep a bit maybe with minimal leaks. Or would nasal pillows fix the seal breaking on my stomach and I just deal with sinus issues.
Any help or thoughts would be great. Right now my plan is to try each mask again each night and see. Then maybe ask for nasal pillows and try them and maybe try on my own to put my f20 on the f30i mask (I heard it fits but hisses). I wish my pressure wasn’t so high. I tolerate it ok but it complicates things. I’m also thinking I need more air on ramp.
If anyone actually reads all this I sincerely thank you.
John
My factors so far
1- I prefer a top tube (snorkel) bc I toss and turn and I like to stomach sleep although I typically sleep in ALL positions at some point.
2-The most comfortable mask for me was the f20 full mask. Less claustrophobic and although straps left marks on my face I didn’t care as it didn’t hurt nose or mouth. Due to high pressure I got a chin strap though. I like to nose breath but on my back at night I wind up mouth breathing and didn’t like that. The chinstrap helps). I don’t like elephant trunk front hose. Unfortunately it loses seal on side some and especially stomach and bc of my air pressure when seal breaks it SHOOTS air into my eyes. But I want to like this mask bc it feels natural. I just pretend I’m iceman in top gun.
3-I tried the F3 hybrid full face mask but with basal cradle. It was recommended bc it might be better for me sleeping on things other than my back. Initial thought was it felt smothering on my nose during the ramp up. It also seemed to retain more moisture and led to me drooling and sniffling. I didn’t use the chinstrap bc I didn’t have it yet (I only tried one night and slept so bad I got a chinstrap and went back to the f20 next night with better results). But now that I’ve been using n30i nasal pillow I’m wondering if I should give it another shot especially bc I like the top hose.
4- the last 3-4 days I’ve worn the n30i with a chinstrap too. Nasal cradle. Things I love - less bulky easy to put on and quick release to go to bathroom. Top hose allows me to flip around in all positions. Things I don’t like- seal breaks on my stomach (preferred position) unless I crank the mask so right like a pig nose. Did that one night and slept the best but not worth the nose pain. Loosened it and if it’s comfortable it breaks seal and air hits my face hisses and wakes me up. Pressure at 20 is a factor. I know nasal pillows are interchangeable with this mask. I’ve thought about it. Not sure I love the thought of pillows up my nostrils and the nose only mask has been leaving me feeling stuffy and dried out with a mild sinus headache. I want to like this mask though.
I’ve been wondering if I should give up stomach sleeping but I really like to at some parts of the night and get my best sleep that way. Side sleeping is ok but I can’t stay in a full side sleep position bc of a rib/sternum injury that flares up when I side sleep too much. I could just sleep on my back with f20 and chinstrap and deal with it but it hurts my back and I don’t sleep as good all on my back. I have wondered if I could put my f20 on the f30i headgear with top hose and then at least I could side sleep a bit maybe with minimal leaks. Or would nasal pillows fix the seal breaking on my stomach and I just deal with sinus issues.
Any help or thoughts would be great. Right now my plan is to try each mask again each night and see. Then maybe ask for nasal pillows and try them and maybe try on my own to put my f20 on the f30i mask (I heard it fits but hisses). I wish my pressure wasn’t so high. I tolerate it ok but it complicates things. I’m also thinking I need more air on ramp.
If anyone actually reads all this I sincerely thank you.
John
