F&P Forma

[symmit]

So another client pays me, so I buy that FFM I'd been thinking about for a while - partly out of curiosity, partly because I still dread getting a cold at a level I can't breathe through my nose, partly because I'm determined to find the best therapy and interface for me.

First night observations (after three weeks of sleepweaver use)

It feels heavy on the face - needs to be quite tight to seal (not as tight as the sleepweaver but tighter than my silicone nasal mask). May take some getting used to.

Under-chin design is a good thing, spreads the pressure on the face well, no nosebridge soreness or facemarks this morning and it's stayed on all night (10 hrs according to my stats)

You can talk with a FFM on. And your partner can hear you (muffled but legibly). Coughing also possible without the blast-around that nasal gives you.

Sizing guage said I needed a medium, medium only goes half way up my nose. Using the large. One reason for choosing this mask was the dual sizes supplied - good job too.

Profile of the shell makes it comfy on a side. Location of vent holes makes it noisy if you route the hose upwards in front of them - very quiet otherwise though.

Going to use it a few nights anyway then it'll go in the cpap bag for use as required - at the moment sleepweaver still has my vote for comfort.

[symmit]

Night two - wore it a little less tight but woke by it farting and leaking so tightened it back up again.

So far so good, quite liking the way it fits in fact, I never thought an FFM would be comfortable and usable but it's both. Cheekbones seem to be the pressure point but as the foam warms up it seems to soften and after ten minutes it's very comfortable indeed.

Little experiment this morning after waking - it's usable without the foam (manual doesn't suggest this) so if you're a high pressure user it will stay inflated and sealed on air pressure alone - makes it very soft and conformal. Not useful at 6-8 pressures though...

[James @ Intus]

Great detailed feedback. Indeed one of few masks with multiple size seals in the same box, reducing the chance of getting the wrong size.

I suppose after SleepWeaver, all masks feel heavy. You can't beat 30 grams worth of cloth in that respect. It'll be good to have an alternative. Very few people are pure one-mask devotees.

[symmit]

Well last night was interesting. Couldn't sleep (late curry, seems to upset my metabolism now) and when I did get to sleep I woke at 3:30 with a farting mask.

So light on, strip and rebuild the mask (the silicone seal had become unseated - anyone who's used a Forma will know how it's hard to put together when you're alert and awake...) and back on it goes. Just for good measure I stick it to the straps and go for full on alien facehugger mode. Big mistake.

Fell asleep. Woke at 8 this morning to the sound of wife trying to wake us all up (I was happily asleep). I'm not going to go anywhere for a couple of hours though as my face looks like it's had a mask strapped to it all night...

So the Forma has a weakness (exacerbated by overtightening) and searching the forums it appears that others have had the same issue - it puts too much pressure over the cheekbones. I'm going to try the medium foam insert with the large silicone cushion tonight and see if that maintains a better seal from less pressure - though I suspect last night was a blip caused by careless late night dining.

[silvercarper]

To correct James the X-large Forma only comes with one size of cushion and seal.
I have had problems with my Forma but the service I have had from F & P has been great and the problems have been resolved.

[symmit]

Good night last night - stripped and readjusted the headgear and found a comfortable position for the large seal and cushion.

I think the problem I have is a flat face and flat nose - am going to do a week with the Forma then stick it in the cpap bag for use as required - I must admit I'm finding swapping around with masks both interesting and helpful - each one I've tried seems to have its good and bad points.

Question for anyone who's using nasal and full face with an autoset machine - are you finding you need higher pressure with the full face mask? Data on mine is showing a slightly higher average pressure and more peaks towards 13 - also it's far more comfortable at higher pressures than a nasal mask (but not nearly as nice to wear) - probably because of the lack of mouth exhalation problems.

[silvercarper]

I have changed from a full face ZZZ mask to the Forma and my pressures have increased also.

[symmit]

I have changed from a full face ZZZ mask to the Forma and my pressures have increased also.

Usefully - I've just been sent a Hsiner Comfo, which I suspect is the same as the ZZZ mask. Was promised me with my startup kit but "out of stock".

Just fired it up for a quick look - it's a bit noisy. It's in the cpap bag now, awaiting me getting through a week of the Forma.

Definitely going to go back to the sleepweaver for everyday, although I had a great night with a freshly adjusted Forma I don't need a fullface and it's not nearly as comfy and unobtrusive as the sleepweaver.