I am a mouth breather and despite the fact that I was told it only takes about 3 days with the chin strap to train your mouth to stay closed, my mouth does not stay - 90+ days later. So I am looking into a full face mask. I am a side sleeper and am currently using FP Zest. I'm looking for input on the Fisher and Paykel Forma mask and the ResMed Quattro FX. If you use either of these please let me know what you think - what features you like/dislike. Thanks!!

acocacolagirl I have used the quattro and the thing I have against these type of mask is I could not stand the pressure that this type of mask puts on the bridge of my nose, and also I had a huge problem with air leaking around the bridge and it would leak directly into the corner of my eyes! So I finally gave up on this type of mask. As a side note, I could never ever get the chin strap to work with me either. As I would fall to sleep my facial muscles would relax and no matter how tight the chin strap was, the air would ajust flutter out my mouth between my closed lips!I had a heck of a time finding a mask that would work I even tried the orracle mask that goes directly into your mouth and I still had problems with air escaping around the edges of my mouth. That is why I now use the Respironics Fit Life mask, it is comfortable and it does not leave painfull pressure spots on my face! I tried allot of mask before I finally settled on this one! I was fortunate in that I had a DME that would let you try out different masks and I must have tried out more than my share of them! Ha. I do wish you well and hope that you finally find that one and only mask that is there waiting just for you! Good luck to you........White Beard

I sure never had any luck w/the Mirage Quattro - but - I am now using the Quattro FX and love it. And I can sleep on my back or sides. I do hang the hose above my head. You do need to watch the CD for the best fitting of the Quattro FX as the fitting is a little counter to the usual full face mask fitting.

Prior to the Quattro FX I was using the ProBasics Zzz-Mask which I liked quite well. But I like the Quattro FX better. For one thing it is a little wider in the mouth area whereas w/the Zzz-Mask I sometimes had a problem w/leaking at the corners of my mouth.

I don't have any experience with other mask types (except for trying different ones at my initial fitting) but I use the Quattro FX and I love it. I sleep on my back most of the time, sometimes on my side (though I usually end up on my back during the night). I don't have a hose hanger or anything like that, I don't find that the hose coming off the side bothers me at all. I'm a mouth breather, so I have to have a full face mask (I tried a nasal mask and nasal pillows and air just flew out of my mouth).

I started with the Resmed Liberty and changed to the Quattro FX about two weeks ago. I am a side sleeper and have problems with the mask leaking at the bridge of my nose and blowing onto my eyes. Can't seem to get the thing to sit right. Been on CPAP for a month and a half and am still having a problem getting adjusted to it but i put the mask on every night and wake up every morning exhausted. I usually pull the mask off in my sleep but last night I actually logged 3 1/2 hours, that's more than double my average!!

Thanks for everyone's input. I desided to go for the forma because I like the glider strap. Hopefully it will work out for me. It is supposed to arrive tomorrow, so I'll let you know how it goes.

I think you'll like the forma. If not, give the F & P 431 a try. I like the F & P because of the shelf that fits under the chin. With the Quattro, my muscles relax while sleeping and my bottom lip slips below the bottom of the mask, so I might as well be using a nasal mask at that point....

So, my forma came...it is great to breath in a full face mask, I feel so much more relaxed as I am not trying to hold my mouth closed. Unfortunately, I'm having a terrible time getting it fitted. It seems like the head gear is too big for my head and I have trouble tightening it enough to stop leaks...when I get it close to not leaking, it feels like it is way to tight. Unsure what to do next....

I like the F & P because of the shelf that fits under the chin.

That is one of the reasons I chose the Forma. And I had a F&P Zest nasel mask first which I really liked I just opened my mouth too much to make that one work.

I'm curious what worked best for you because I'm 3 weeks in as a CPAP user with the Quattro FX and I'm going crazy between the tender nose and the exhale port on the mask nose blowing into my eyes all night, especially when it's COLD air, that burning blast is not something I wish to deal with any longer than necessary. At first I thought this was what everyone meant about vent leaks but someone told me no it was the exhale port. Guess my face is at a tilt different from the norm. I'm thinking of getting the Mirage Liberty which is a hybrid mask meaning nose pillows plus the mouth, but your entire nose is not covered and the exhale ports do not aim at the eyes. In ONE week I'm down to my 30 days trade in so really need to make a switch decision NOW.

i've been at this a long time. of the masks i've used i've found the f&p 432 to be the best one. with the hybrid you have not one or 2, but 3 seperate seals to maintain while bouncing around at night.

the hard part about asking about masks is everybody is built differently and sleeps differently and has different pressures. what works perfectly for me may work terribly for you for the same or different reasons. there's no easy answer with mask selection and fitting. there's no magic mask that fits everyone correctly.