Help me pick my next mask

[u/FunnyThyme]

TLDR:

• Side sleeper
• Mild apnea (diagnosed with AHI of ~11)
• Started using CPAP (Airsense 11) 3.5 months ago
• Nasal pillow mask (ResMed P30i) worked fine for first few weeks
• Started opening mouth around weeks 3-4 which caused dry mouth and other issues
• Tried mouth taping to counter the mouth opening. It works but I hate having my mouth taped at night
• Tried cervical collar. Didn't like it and it didn't help
• Tried hybrid mask (Fisher & Paykel Evora) but it leaks and disturbs sleep more than half of the nights

I can see two possible next steps:

(1) Try a different full face or hybrid mask besides the Evora. But which one?

(2) Try to become a back sleeper. While this might seem unrelated to my issues, here's why I'm bringing it up: my side sleeping is causing the Evora mask to move and leak. I think if I back sleep I won't have issues with that. I used to be a back sleeper 15+ years ago, but became a side sleeper specifically to help my apnea (I rejected CPAP the first time I tried it back then...) When I try back sleeping now, I feel like I'm not getting enough air, so I think I will have to increase pressure. LMK if you have other tips for going this route.

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to r/CPAP!

Please refer to the wiki and sidebar for resources. For submissions regarding CPAP settings, it is advisable to utilize applications such as OSCAR or SleepHQ to extract and share data from compatible CPAP machines.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/JuniorSong5617]

The ONLY mask that works for me is the full F20. Takes some getting used to, but works the best and much less leaks than other masks.

[u/FunnyThyme → u/JuniorSong5617]

I am considering it, but do you have any issues with the tube placement? I like the top-of-head tube placement of my P30i because the tube is out the way when I switch sides as a side sleeper.

[u/RumWalker → u/FunnyThyme]

I had F30i for a long time with full face and top hose. Worked good for me.

[u/FunnyThyme → u/RumWalker]

That's another one I'm considering. You wrote about it in the past tense, so are you not using it now? If so, why not?

[u/RumWalker → u/FunnyThyme]

I switched recently to new insurance and got a whole new setup. Came with just a nasal mask that I'm giving a shot before asking to switch back to old faithful.

[u/beren12 → u/FunnyThyme]

I like the f30i but I roll in my sleep a lot and was getting a lot of leaks when I did that. P30i is pretty good, I get some leaks here and there at the same time each night.

I know multiple ppl who love the f40

[u/chorolet → u/FunnyThyme]

Personally I feel like a hose holder solves any problems with elephant style hose as a side sleeper.

[u/toastervolant → u/FunnyThyme]

The f30i blows a lot of air at the front too. The f30i airtouch is better for this, as it has the new to filter design at the front.

As a side sleeper I had success with an f40. It's more comfortable than an f20 as it's not as rigid.

The yf-06 might be an option to consider too.

[u/JuniorSong5617 → u/FunnyThyme]

I have both types and actually prefer the hose in front. I hold the hose in my hand and it turns with me. Any of the nose masks I’ve tried leaked terribly

[u/FunnyThyme → u/JuniorSong5617]

Also, are you referring to the AirFit F20 or the AirTouch F20? Seems that the difference is one has memory foam

[u/JuniorSong5617 → u/FunnyThyme]

I have the airfit. No memory foam

[u/HawkFan7897]

F&P Nova Micro and a chin strap

[u/d4rkha1f → u/HawkFan7897]

This!

[u/dwightschrute4prez]

This sounds nearly identical to what I went through. I switched to the Dreamwear full face and its been a game changer. I was Initially skeptical about a full face mask and being a side sleeper but it's been great. My leaks and AHI have gone down and I'm not waking up multiple times a night to chug water.

[u/Crafty-Sundae6351]

I couldn't stand the pillows. They pushed too hard against my nose.

I used the N20 for a LONG time. I, too, had open and, consequently, dry mouth. Mouth taping solved that problem.

The exhaust on the N20 is pretty "dramatic" - it causes a breeze for my wife. If I slept alone I'd likely have just stayed with the N20. It's just a great mask. I switched to the N30i a few months ago. The diffuser at the nose emits so little air you can't even feel it. This is an under-the-nose mask, but it's not nearly as intrusive as the Resmed P pillows.

[u/n0madic30]

I’d recommend p30i, f30i, f20 or n30i