best mask?

[tonine]

I have a nose-only mask, which I find hard when (like now) I have a blocked nose due to a cold.
Do people in general find full face masks better for this sort of problem? My sleep clinic only offered the nose type of mask to me, and when I tell them the problem they say "you'll have to manage for a week or so". This doesn't help with my quite bad apnoea!

If a full face one IS better, are there recommendations about getting one? Can I just buy one?

Many thanks -forgive the basic question but I'm a newbie

[Tigers Fan]

Mais oui!

Hi tonine

Yes - you can just buy a mask - you'll not get a lot of change from £100 though.

Your best route is to get assertive with your NHS clinic or go to the Trust if you need to. You have a right to a mask that works for you!

You can buy all sorts of masks from te sponsors of this forum - Intus Health Care - or you can go direct to manufacturers. Best mask is like asking which is the best car - depends on you and what you want and your financial situation.

A good place to start is either a Resmed Mirage Quattro or Ultra but beware as they use the same names for nasal and full face masks. I use both.

Good luck

TF

[silvercarper]

I use the Probasics ZZZ full face mask which I initially bought as it was the cheapest.
Even though I have bought a more expensive mask since I still prefer to use the ZZZ.
I have had problems with the headgear but the mask fits so well I hardly get any leakage.

[joeandhelen]

You should indeed demand the most suitable mask. I have a quattro full face mask and I started out with a nasal mask but ended up using my mouth to breath. There are two alternatives to the nasal mask and I have both. There is the full face mask, the mirage quattro, that covers both nose and mouth and the hybrid fluu face mask that has two nasal pillows (little cushions that fit into the nostrils) and a mouth mask. I primarily use the quattro as it is comfortable (Not everyone can take to a full face mask!) and sometimes switch to the hybrid because I can still wear my glasses to read. However the nasal pillows need to be a very comfortable fit otherwise they can slip out! You do have a right to treatment. You can google 'resmed.com' to see both masks that I use or check the sponsors site at 'eu-pap.co.uk'.
Good luck and keep asking for advice if your clinic get awkward!
Mine at St.James's, in Leeds, cannot help enough!
JoeCool

[tonine]

Thanks all for your advice!