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Handle Full Fask Mask With Care - 2PAPs - 03-09-2017
It took me a bit to learn to handle my full face mask with care. For about two years, I had insurance that would not cover PAP supplies. I learned to be more gentle with it so as not to destroy it in my sleep as I was on my own nickle for replacement. In the course of learning not to abuse my mask in my sleep, I learned to sleep better. I don't thrash around so much and have a better sleep.
I use an Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask. It's what my HMO assigned. I keep using it because it's easy to find parts at discount, especially third party (Craigslist, eBay, etc). I learned not to toss a used mask because there are a lot of ancillary parts that can be salvaged.
With the head gear, the Velcro gets tired before the head gear itself. I learned to align the tabs more accurately, especially when I adjust when I'm more out than awake. I don't wash the head gear. It wears it out too fast.
The part that's easily broken on my Ultra Mirage is the forehead bar. The part is about $25, which is almost the same as 20% copay for the whole mask. But if on your own, it's worth it. I learned not to drop it, asleep or awake. Dropping it can break the swivel. I learned to be very careful about adjusting the angle when I have the mask donned. If too tight, the forehead bar swivel will snap. I broke about 3 or 4 bars before I got smart.
I learned to get cushions third party. I wash the mask except the headgear once a week unless I'm coughing all night. Then I will also wash it then. Washing it makes the cushion supple until it wears out.