Full Face Mask vs Nasal + Chin Strap?

[kuningan]

New to this (but long time OSA and endurance snorer) and facing either divorce or murder (two sleep studies & dental device which no longer appears effective, I'm told, in no uncertain terms) have ordered a APAP + nasal mask - on suspicion that I'll feel less claustrophobic. What are people's experience of nasal vs face masks - and if I find the nasal mask isn't effective, should my first resort be a chin strap, before going to a face mask?

[ElleCee]

I have tried both and personally find the full face one much easier.
The nasal one is strange in that of you open your mouth the air goes in or out both ways. It is impossible to talk when using one. I tried it with a chin strap as well and still could not get on with it.
I used to breathe through my mouth during the night but now have it perfected to nose breathing only which is ideal for any type of mask.
I have 2 full face masks and either of them are good. My preference is the Mirage Quattro, you can get liners for this so it makes it even more comfortable, but I can read easier with the FitLife so I swap around occasionally.

I hope you get on well with your new set up, any questions please ask away
Kind regards
Lorraine

[kuningan]

Lorraine,

Thanks for the perspective - if there is one thing I've learned from this forum is 'persevere and don't give up!' I adapted to my dental appliance after a couple of weeks - and felt much better for it - so I know I will have to keep plugging away with APAP.....wish me luck!

Peter

[James @ Intus]

Hi Peter,

Welcome to the forums.

That is the right attitude indeed.

On one hand, it's great to be able to hear from others what their experiences are yet on the other hand, whatever is comfortable is such a subjective experience, what works for one can be a disaster for another.

If you can breathe comfortable through your nose most of the time, then most people find a nasal mask easier to fit. There's less surface area to create a seal so less chance of it going wrong. But having said that, thousands sleep happily with a full face CPAP mask every night.

In fairness, the chances of your first mask being the last one are slim. You will probably end up trying a few before you can say, ths is the one. If you accept the fact you'll likely need some tweaking and trial and error before settling in, you're on the right track.

[Biggles]

Hi Kuningan,

I was told I needed a full face mask because I said I tended to be a mouth breather; truth was I didn't really know what I was doing :0)

Anyhow, cutting long story short the full face mask was not available but a nasal mask was. In desperation I pleaded to try the nasal mask. I'm the only driver in the household and needed to get back to driving ASAP. Nasal mask arrived with equipment and I have been very happy with the nasal mask ever since. Yes, there were a few teething problems. I have been using the Respironics ComfortCurve for a few years now and that is my favourite. I tried a nasal mask with a chin strap, but, I have a receding chin so that did not work for me. I find that once I'm kitted up and machine on I just breathe through my nose and my mouth stays shut (no more dribbling). Only time I have a real problem is if I have a very bad cold.

Best wishes
Jan

[James @ Intus]

Only time I have a real problem is if I have a very bad cold.

And unfortunately for you Jan, the great ComfortCurve mask has been discontinued. Keep an eye out for it while stocks may be lingering but sooner rather than later, this will come to an end unfortunately.

[Biggles]

Thanks James

Looks as though I must get into gear and make an order. I have found it to be so comfortable.
Thanks for letting me know.

kind regards

Jan

[James @ Intus]

In the UK they've officially run out. Some hospitals may have some lying around but they're already hard to come by. I wish we had some but unfortunately, we don't. There's no close alternative, the Sleepnet Phantom, which we'll have on in a few days, is perhaps the nearest in terms of where it sits on the face.

[austincl]

Full Face mask vrs. chin strap

I have used a full face mask for several years and recently noticed severally
receeding gum lines on the front of my bottom gums. The peridontist didnt
think the sleep mask was a cause but I wonder yet. Has anyone else equated the two problems

[kuningan]

So far (day 4) so good with Sleepcube APAP & Sleepweaver mask. Very quickly learned to keep my mouth shut! (another benefit of the therapy, I'm told...) Sleeping for about 7 hours - waking up a couple of times - sometimes I notice the machine has ramped pressure up to 12-14 - feels like a gale blowing in my face - but it & I settle down again. Not found much need for humidification - in fact slept better with it off.

[James @ Intus]

Has anyone else equated the two problems

I have heard of that before actually, from a dentist who was fitting a madibular advancement device to a former CPAP user. Normally, when you don't overtighten the mask's straps, that would however not occur. At least, no large scale research suggests that is the case.

[James @ Intus]

Not found much need for humidification - in fact slept better with it off.

Keep it at the ready for colder days or extremely dry summer days. The last couple of days here down South have been quite humid so indeed a humidifier may be less of a necessity on such days.

[OldCrow]

Endurance snorer

Loved your remark about "Endurance Snoring" do you think it could be an olympic sport? I reckon I could have taken the leaves off a tree across the road if my window had been open - or so my detractors tell me! Good luck with the mask. It is about persevering; seven months on and I still can't say I'm entirely comfortable with it but we do cohabit with some success now. Most interesting thing I've noticed is the absence of mucus buildup from very shallow breathing and the consequent nose/throat infections that were so common before; I've probably never breathed as deeply. No problem getting to sleep, it really knocks me out. Takes time but it works!
Best of luck, hope it works for you.

[TiredBoy]

Nasal Pillows

The Opus nasal pillow is a dream from a fit and comfort perspective. It is so easy to pop on! The chin straps tried so far are less successful. As mention in my own thread, I found that some nights I was beginning to open my mouth and to apnea, so I'm now trying a hybrid mask. The hybrid does not (yet) fit so well. We'll see.

If I can't get the hybrid to work, I'll return to the pus nasal pillows, gaffer tape my mouth shut, and fit it with a valve to take a straw for night time water intake!

TB