Need CPAP Mask Suggestions

I am having problems finding a comfortable mask. Started with a nasal pillow (the Airfit P10) which made the inside of my nose very sore. Just got a Nuance yesterday (which is nasal gel pillow) I hoped would be better, but was only able to wear it for 20 minutes and developed the same problem with sore nose. I finally switched to the Mirage FX which was a nasal mask I got for testing CPAP machine to see if it would help. This was better than the other two masks (no pain on the inside of nostrils), but after about 4-5 hours the pressure on my moustache started really bothering me. I think the mask was pulling on my moustache and thus irritating the skin. I finally had to take the mask off after 6 hours.

Can anyone suggest a nasal mask the would be less likely to cause pain in moustache area? If I decide I have to go to a full face mask what would you suggest to try?

Thanks.

My son has a full beard and uses a CPAP. His mask is a full face Mirage Quattro, and he likes it. I've looked at his results on SleepyHead and he has fairly good leakage rates, despite the beard. I tried one of his spare masks and couldn't make it work. It just seemed impossible to make it seal with pressures in the 12-15 cm range. It seemed to walk around on my face, make rude noises, and blow air in my eyes. I couldn't make it through a full night with it. It is also bulky and I had a hard time keeping it in place. I have also tried an AirFit F20 full face. It had similar issues to the Quattro, but was better. I think I managed 4-5 nights before giving up on it.

That said, you are running just over 6 cm of pressure so you may find it much easier to get a seal without using too much strap tension. Hard to predict.

There is a rather unique style of mask that fits in the mouth kind of like a snorkel for swimming. You have to use nose plugs with it to prevent leakage out the nose. I don't know of anyone that uses this mask though. A link:

Oracle HC452

Have a look at the DreamWear under-the-nose mask. It basically works like an intranasal mask but it doesn't have prongs that go up your nose. Instead the cushion is like a little cup just under your nose. It might give you the best of both worlds. Google "dreamwear under nose mask" for some pictures. I know of only one person who has managed to successfully use the Oracle. Plenty have tried and found it unworkable.

I’m new to the CPAP thing, but I too struggled with the Airfit P10. I woke up with sore nostrils. It was only because it was too tight. I got a slightly longer headband, but it didn’t help. The rear part of the band is split into two strands and I had both of them at the back of my head. I found that when you take the top band and pull it up near your forehead it exerts much less pressure on the nostrils. No more sore nostrils for me.

I tried again with the Nuance with nasal gel pillows. This time I put on the large pillows which didn't really enter my nostrils but pressed against the outside. Few problems with discomfort, more large leaks (6.6% of the time, max around 24), but AHI of 0. I only wore part of the night (started with Mirage FX nasal mask but stopped that after 4 hours). This may turn out to be the one!

I have to wear a full face mask due to high pressure so I checked out several and the one I settled on was the Amara View. Covers the mouth but fits up under your nose and seals well with my beard. The mask causes zero discomfort for me. Had to find the right size cushion and experimented and found medium was right. Take a look at pictures of this mask for a better idea of what I am trying to describe.

A common mistake is using the Nasal Pillows with to small a Pillow fitted. Start with the biggest and go smaller if you have to. Another mistake is tightening the Nasal Pillow mask to tight, it should only be tight enough to stop leaks and not tight, tight. Hope this helps a bit. I wish ResMed would put the hose from the mask over the head instead of down to get caught in bedding ect. Much easier to get on with as it goes over the head and behind the pillows or to a hose hoist.

I have been using the Nuance with the large nasal pillow for about 2 weeks now. No problems at all, very comfortable for me. Thanks for suggestions!