Giving up Evora, need suggestions

[PaulaO2]

The Evora is a great mask but I just can't seem to stop the leaks. What happens is as I relax my mouth and jaw, the mask no longer fits. And there's a lot of leaks around my nose, which is typical since it is so small.

I've used the Nuance for years but it seems they've discontinued the version with the cloth-only headgear vs the one with the stoopid gel pack thing. I cannot stand it against my face.

A FFM that covers the nose won't work. Nose is to small and I've never found a mask to stop that. Dreamwear looks interesting except for the silicone hose up each side of the face. It would seem to be hot and loud.

Hybrid might work if the nasal section goes in vs lay on top. Suggestions?

Nasal pillows is what I have always used but as I am sleeping more on my back, my mouth opens. So I turned to the FFMs again.

I may add a chin strap. I will not use a cervical collar.

Just really frustrated at the leak rate.

[OpalRose]

Yep, I hear you Paula!  

I'm also looking for a hybrid mask that not only covers the mouth, but also uses nasal pillows, not the nasal type cushion that sits under the nose, because I find they just don't seal well.  

I've tried the new F40, and although it's gotten great reviews, it certainly didn't work for me.  There wasn't anything I could do to get it to seal, even after trying out all 3 size cushions.

I've used the P10 for years, but now finding I need to cover my mouth too.  I really dislike using tape.  

Paula, if you come across that perfect hybrid mask, let us know!  

[eok361]

have you tried the vitera? you said a collar is out, so you might try that. but it is a full mask, no nasal inserts.

[SarcasticDave94]

For a non hybrid, the Vitera may be OK. It was the best of the bunch mask when I had a machine (still working on that for a bit toooo long). You'll want to adjust it to be fairly loose, and definitely needs attention on cushion sizing, particularly the nasal bridge area. That's where mine leaked if not placed correctly. Simple fix by pulling mask up off your face then settling it slightly lower towards your chin. This Vitera is standard full face, thinking it has 3 sizes available.

I used medium and large, main difference is width over mouth and height of the bridge point top portion.

[Jay51]

The Resmed Liberty mask is a hybrid mask (fits under the nose) with nasal pillows on top, but it has been discontinued I think.  Could possibly get it in separate parts on ebay with some searching and time.  Another mask with the same design is the InnoMed hybrid full face mask.  Take a look at these if you want to.

[PaulaO2]

I tried the Liberty years ago and hated it. It was the only mask that made my mouth open wide and act like a wind tunnel going IN, not out. It was like I was putting my face near a leaf blower. My face was horribly chapped after about 2 nights. I've tried a lot of FFMs since then and never had that problem again.

I have a small nose and over-the-nose masks just can't seal. I'll look into the Vitera though because why not? I usually order through Supplier #26. If it works, then I'll use the local DME (who is a PITA).

I tried the Evora loose so it could "float" but that's when it leaked the most. When tightened down, it seals until I relax my face then it leaks and gets worse. The Elbow Alarm wakes me a lot because the mask is farting or making a high pitched noise.

[joeblough]

i started out using the evora but eventually decided to try dreamware since the tube hooks up at the head. i sleep on my sides for 66% of the night and i think the top connection is just better for me.

despite my mask fit technician's opinion that the dreamware is a bad mask, it works pretty well for me. he believes that the dreamware headgear is just too large for the given size they call out. i'm using a medium and it's ok with me but he suggested a small headgear would be better when buying an dreamware mask. i'm 6'0" and i don't think i have a small nugget but it's not huge either.

he did suggest the resmed f40 as an alternative, stating that the dreamware came out first and then resmed copied and improved it. he didn't say anything about the headgear sizing in resmed land but gave me a small. i tried it last night and it's just way too tight - woke up at 2am with my face hurting. which sucks because now i have to buy a medium if i want to try it.

so i dont know the answer but if you can buy from a company with an open-box return/refund policy maybe it's worth trying both the f40 and the dreamware and see how it goes.

[SarcasticDave94]

As best as I can remember, both F&P Simplus and Vitera that I had needed similar strap adjusting methods.

It was something like:
• loosen all 5 straps, counting 2 each bottom and top side, then 1 more for the overhead

• start at the overhead, adjust so mask sits correctly height wise, AKA up/down on the facial landing spot

• bottom set to help lock in that location with loose to moderate tension

• top set, slightly looser compared to bottom but YMMV

edits to either top or bottom side sets will leverage edit opposing half seal

I had to lift mask up to fully break seal then resettle to allow silicone to snap into proper shape, then making sure not to fold it over in nasal bridge area. It seemed to have tendency to bunch otherwise, and fold or crease in nasal bridge causing nasty wind gust in the eye.

[Deborah K.]

Paula, nasal pillows plus tape works really well.  I use Bleep plus tape and am quite happy with the results.

If you find tape painful to remove I found a solution. Here's a link:

https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...ight=wimps

[PaulaO2]

Paula, nasal pillows plus tape works really well.  I use Bleep plus tape and am quite happy with the results.

If you find tape painful to remove I found a solution.  Here's a link:

https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...ight=wimps

I can't use tape. I'm allergic. Peels skin off, itches, blisters, etc. If I return to using nasal pillows, I'll add a chin strap.

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@sarcasticdave that's what I did with the simplus too! Great mask but couldn't stop the leaks which was horrid. It didn't hurt to wear. I'm hoping the vitera has improved the roll seal.