[Product Review] ResMed F40 Full Face Mask (* new *)

[sleepingbetterinFl]

Fixed it,  that seems to be good strategy.  I got leaks down also and humidity is at about 4.   AS for red marks that could be over tightening issue?  I know the feeling because I used to have incredible ear pain and welts from strap rubbing near my ear with the F 30.

[elliotg]

I have used the F40 mask for 2 nights. I have a standard size headgear and medium pillow (which is what the sizing tool says I should have.  The first night  went well but since then it has gone from bad to worse with massive leaking . The leaks do not appear to be from around my nose but from around my mouth.  What is happening is that the bottom of the mask is slipping up into my mouth.  I know this because I wake up in this state. I refit the mask position, go back to sleep and it happens again.  Multiple times! But then I might have a leak free time of more than an hour until it starts up again.  I have have been making the straps progressively tighter but this hasn't helped.

I have previously been using an F20 and this has also been giving me too much leakage and not stopped apneas. In the 3 nights I have used the F40 I have not had a single obstructive apnea. But I have nonetheless not had a good sleep for the last 2 nights. I feel better without any CPAP at all.

I really want the F40 to work for me.  But I have no idea what to do next.  Any help will be appreciated.

[sleepingbetterinFl]

I feel your pain.  I too wore the F20 and got leaks but could not tolerate the tightness over my nose and mouth and I ended up after about a year going with the hybrid F30 mask which fits under the nose and over the mouth.  I just switched last week to the F40.   I too had a huge leak last night but the 4 previous nights it sealed really well.  I recommend that you try it for another week before you decide it is not the right mask for you.   If you are feeling ok in the morning and it is lowering some of your events, then it I giving you some reasonably good therapy.    I have a mentor that says even if you have high leaks the machine is compensating for some of the leaks and making adjustments and you are still getting some needed therapy.    Are you tightening the straps too much to cause the leaks around your mouth?

[sleepingbetterinFl]

yankees123, may I ask what the purpose for  the taping your septum area?  What is it that it is helping with?  I have the divider between the holes covering one of my nostrils and it makes it hard to breathe through my nose.

[edfreeman]

elliotg, I don't use the F40, but have used the F30i for awhile and my mother uses the F40. With the mask creeping up on your face, the way it's made about the only way to get there is if your jaw is moving during sleep. I assume that when you reposition it, the mask cushion does ride down below the lower lip like it's supposed to. You might try one of those cheap, adjustable soft collars for a night or two to see if it helps keep the mouth from opening. I'd think an F20 would tolerate that better, since it has a harder form with a soft seal (F40 is all soft).

[elliotg]

elliotg, I don't use the F40, but have used the F30i for awhile and my mother uses the F40.  With the mask creeping up on your face, the way it's made about the only way to get there is if your jaw is moving during sleep.  I assume that when you reposition it, the mask cushion does ride down below the lower lip like it's supposed to.  You might try one of those cheap, adjustable soft collars for a night or two to see if it helps keep the mouth from opening.  I'd think an F20 would tolerate that better, since it has a harder form with a soft seal (F40 is all soft).

Thanks for this suggestion. I have a couple of these soft collars hanging about from a few years back when I was experimenting with nasal masks. I will give this a try over the next few nights and report back!

Elliot

[elliotg]

elliotg, I don't use the F40, but have used the F30i for awhile and my mother uses the F40.  With the mask creeping up on your face, the way it's made about the only way to get there is if your jaw is moving during sleep.  I assume that when you reposition it, the mask cushion does ride down below the lower lip like it's supposed to.  You might try one of those cheap, adjustable soft collars for a night or two to see if it helps keep the mouth from opening.  I'd think an F20 would tolerate that better, since it has a harder form with a soft seal (F40 is all soft).

Yes I have tried what you suggested and it has been very helpful.  I dug out my old soft collar and have used it for 3 nights with my F40 mask. And the leaks have all but disappeared (as have virtually all my apneas). Too early to declare victory but a good start!

I can understand why this is different to my earlier attempts to use the the soft collar with naval masks and stop the mouth breathing.  It does not take much of an opening of my mouth in that case to negate the benefit of the collar. With the full face mask one is not trying to prevent mouth breathing but merely to limit the movement of the lower jaw. A much easier task requiring less tightening of the collar. So it makes sense!

So thanks for your tip.  I will at some time try out if the collar can help with other full face masks. But for now I will concentrate on the F40 as I really like it.

Elliot

[sleepingbetterinFl]

I just got on the tail end f this post.  Can you tell me the purpose of the soft collar and here I would purchase one?  I have the same issue as I am mouth breather and mouth wants to open wearing this mask.

[yankees123]

If the cushion seems to be moving down might be worth trying the large size.  
I tape the area of my nose because I am a side sleeper and was getting a sore spot on my nose.  This has helped with the comfort.

[elliotg]

I just got on the tail end f this post.  Can you tell me the purpose of the soft collar and here I would purchase one?  I have the same issue as I am mouth breather and mouth wants to open wearing this mask.

The purpose of the soft collar is to stop the mouth from opening so far up that the bottom lip ends up in inside the mask.  You should be able to get a soft collar easily. Try searching for soft net collar on Google. You will get lots of hits and pick one near where you live!