"Just to tidy this up, I finally had an in-person review by my sleep clinic yesterday, who agreed the ResMed AirSense 10 was "wheezy" and replaced the machine."
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Resmed Quattro FX Review
Well, I've had a Quattro FX for a few nights now and have given it a good go.
Good points:
Very soft and balloon-like seal - this mask is definitely the most gentle silicone mask I've tried so far. The seal is made and secured by the air pressure inside the mask with the strap pressure holding it in place spreading the physical pressure over a larger area, making it very comfortable. The size of the seal makes it fit my face very well, I have a short, shallow nose and a wide face. Other than an overtightened first night I've had no facial marks in the morning. It's a great seal too, a seal that's comfortable at 15hPa doesn't collapse at 4hPa for the ramp, so once adjusted for your pressure it's a nice quick fit at night.
Fits low on the nose - it secures into the indentation under the bottom lip so isn't up between the eyes but is kind of halfway up your nose, if you've got a sore there from your other masks, this could help provide relief, and there's no hard plastic in that area either it's bridged from the sides with ultra thin silicone.
Clever spring frame - this seems to move the pressure from the straps away from the front of the face and spreads it more evenly, I've only had any facial marks from the straps on the first night because I overtightened it. The springy plastic has a fabric cover that is very soft on the skin.
Noise - this is as quiet as the Sleepweaver and by far quieter than the rest of my collection.
Quick release - always handy.
Bad points:
Being picky really, if you don't get the seal just right it will slide up your face and then leak from the nose into your eyes, it's really important to have a dry, clean and grease free face and seal before fitting.
The low fit means if you nostrils collapse easily this may make it worse, move it up a bit (or possibly try a bigger size)
Venting - your bed partner may not want quite that much air hitting them in the face, but it's not really a side-sleepers mask so maybe not a problem
Other observations:
The "Swing down to fit" is great, until you really need to itch your nose and have to remove and refit it during the night, it's not an easy thing to refit as you have to undo both bottom clips to fit it properly.
I'm not yet comfortable sleeping on my side with this mask, the seal is easily disturbed by sideways pressure but I'm in a Hotel at the moment and my firm sculpted pillow is at home, so I'll reserve judgement until the weekend.
Headgear is a bit small for me, but I'm told they stretch with time (Thanks TF!) so again will reserve judgement for a while...
Compared to other masks:
Far more quiet than the F&P Forma, and less heavy and cumbersome. Slightly heavier and bigger than the ZZZ mask type cheapies but a much better fit.
Conclusions:
I really like it, I don't need a full face mask most of the time but sometimes just can't get to sleep due to congestion or hay fever stuffing up my nose and I prefer not to over use decongestants. The complete lack of marks on my face is a revelation, the Forma leaves mask marks, the sleepweaver leaves strap marks, this has for the last four nights left none at all. No face marks and a great night's sleep make a great combination.
Good points:
Very soft and balloon-like seal - this mask is definitely the most gentle silicone mask I've tried so far. The seal is made and secured by the air pressure inside the mask with the strap pressure holding it in place spreading the physical pressure over a larger area, making it very comfortable. The size of the seal makes it fit my face very well, I have a short, shallow nose and a wide face. Other than an overtightened first night I've had no facial marks in the morning. It's a great seal too, a seal that's comfortable at 15hPa doesn't collapse at 4hPa for the ramp, so once adjusted for your pressure it's a nice quick fit at night.
Fits low on the nose - it secures into the indentation under the bottom lip so isn't up between the eyes but is kind of halfway up your nose, if you've got a sore there from your other masks, this could help provide relief, and there's no hard plastic in that area either it's bridged from the sides with ultra thin silicone.
Clever spring frame - this seems to move the pressure from the straps away from the front of the face and spreads it more evenly, I've only had any facial marks from the straps on the first night because I overtightened it. The springy plastic has a fabric cover that is very soft on the skin.
Noise - this is as quiet as the Sleepweaver and by far quieter than the rest of my collection.
Quick release - always handy.
Bad points:
Being picky really, if you don't get the seal just right it will slide up your face and then leak from the nose into your eyes, it's really important to have a dry, clean and grease free face and seal before fitting.
The low fit means if you nostrils collapse easily this may make it worse, move it up a bit (or possibly try a bigger size)
Venting - your bed partner may not want quite that much air hitting them in the face, but it's not really a side-sleepers mask so maybe not a problem
Other observations:
The "Swing down to fit" is great, until you really need to itch your nose and have to remove and refit it during the night, it's not an easy thing to refit as you have to undo both bottom clips to fit it properly.
I'm not yet comfortable sleeping on my side with this mask, the seal is easily disturbed by sideways pressure but I'm in a Hotel at the moment and my firm sculpted pillow is at home, so I'll reserve judgement until the weekend.
Headgear is a bit small for me, but I'm told they stretch with time (Thanks TF!) so again will reserve judgement for a while...
Compared to other masks:
Far more quiet than the F&P Forma, and less heavy and cumbersome. Slightly heavier and bigger than the ZZZ mask type cheapies but a much better fit.
Conclusions:
I really like it, I don't need a full face mask most of the time but sometimes just can't get to sleep due to congestion or hay fever stuffing up my nose and I prefer not to over use decongestants. The complete lack of marks on my face is a revelation, the Forma leaves mask marks, the sleepweaver leaves strap marks, this has for the last four nights left none at all. No face marks and a great night's sleep make a great combination.
Views: 2320
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on
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Thanks for the detailed review Symmit. I get asked about this mask a lot and still haven't tried it myself yet, so very useful :)
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Permalink Reply by RockRpsgt on
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I have found that the headgear will sometimes pull the mask up. I have better luck switching the heagear back to the original Quattro style. This does not completely eliminate the problem. I feel it's just better. it is also very important that you are sized properly for this mask.
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Permalink Reply by symmit on
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Rock - I've had mine a week and have found if my skin is carefully dried before going to bed and the seal is meticulously clean it doesn't move... Not tried the original Quattro, for me a fullface is an "option" not my "prime" choice, I'm a sleepweaver user 90% of the time, just swapping to fullface for those nights when for any reason nasal breathing is difficult (rather than resorting to decongestants) or for the purpose of writing a review on something new!
Kath - I'm finding that the main area of pressure from the mask is on the chin not the nose so it may work quite well for you! I
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I'd love to give this mask a try but I have so many masks now (I organised the huge collection this morning) and have just gotten a Fisher Paykel Zest, which has proven to be rather good actually (albeit very simple in its design) that I'll have to wait. The Quattro FX design sounds clever. My hospital have limited themselves to three designs now as they find so many people feel differently about the same mask. As a result they have simplified completely and this will also save them money of course! I have always been prepared to buy masks for myself and other cpap parts but there is a limit. I wonder why these things are so expensive! Rosemary
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Yes, good point. You've persuaded me to put it high on my priority list :) Will report back at a later date.........
symmit said:
Kath - I'm finding that the main area of pressure from the mask is on the chin not the nose so it may work quite well for you! I
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Permalink Reply by Tigers Fan on
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I've been using a Quattro FX for some months now - since a few days after they were released in UK, in fact.
The 'height' of the mask on your face is pretty much governed by the headgear. I wear mine 'high' with a Medium Size headgear and 'low' with a Large Size headgear. That is to say, I wear them high oer low according to which NEW headgear I am using. One of the major faults with the Quattro FX currently is the stretchy headgear. I take a large but that soon transforms into an extra-large. The medium is too small to begin with but soon transforms into a just right and then a bit large. The straps are just too light-weight. Also, because I'm a side-sleeper, the light-weight velcro tabs have a tendency to curl - no matter to begin with but after a while they have insufficient area to grip and they part - always when you are fast asleep.
I have discussed thiese problems with Resmed, Chichester and they have escalated it to Head Office in Australia. We await an outcome.
The problem is fixable by trimming the straps and affixing some self-adhesive velcro.
Other than this, I just love my Q FX - the best full face mask by far by far. I consider it virtually impossible to make it leak but some newbies tell me otherwise. I had thought I was doing well on CPAP and sleeping well - till I changed my Quattro for a Quattro FX. NOW I'm sleeping well!
At 17cm, they most certainly do create a jet stream!
Kath - it is very easy to shift the bearing point of the mask on your face. I find the best seal is with it a tad tighter on my chin and floating on my nose. The cushion has a complete cut-out for your nose and then the soft, thin seal layer is made deeper in that area. My guess is that this design will accommodate every variety of shnoz as well as being gentle on tender ones.
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Like Tigers Fan I've been using the Quattro FX since a few days after it's release, and I have to say I love mine - although I have had a few issues, as the small mask comes with medium headgear, which is too big for me, and stretched further and ends curled after a few washes. I informed Resmed as suggested on the forum, and they swapped out medium headgear for the small which is much better.
I agree headgear is too light weight and curls, hopefully they will resolve this issue soon. I have tried old headgear from my small original Mirage Quattro which wasn't quite as comfortable but a bit more substantial, but have swapped back to FX headgear now.I agree it's quieter, although more jet stream, but I can and do sleep on my side with it (I have a Tempur Memory Foam Pillow) and although I still get some marks, it's nothing like with my old Mirage Quattro mask.
All in all after trying 2 sizes of a Mirage Quattro, a Mirage Liberty and the Quattro FX I'd give the FX 9/10, if they got the straps sorted it would be a 10/10
I've just had my 12 month checkup and my clinic are hoping to stock the Quattro FX but there are a few similar ones by other companies now and it's all down to price as far as they're concerned, so we wait and see. Because I'm 100% compliant and I bought my own mask they will supply 1 set of everything per year for my mask & machine, they have to order FX parts from Resmed but they will post them onto me so that's brilliant service.
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How does the Weaver work for you. I only had success with these in about 1-2% of my patients. it did not work for me as I am a mover and a shaker in my sleep.
symmit said:Rock - I've had mine a week and have found if my skin is carefully dried before going to bed and the seal is meticulously clean it doesn't move... Not tried the original Quattro, for me a fullface is an "option" not my "prime" choice, I'm a sleepweaver user 90% of the time, just swapping to fullface for those nights when for any reason nasal breathing is difficult (rather than resorting to decongestants) or for the purpose of writing a review on something new!
Kath - I'm finding that the main area of pressure from the mask is on the chin not the nose so it may work quite well for you! I
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This is interesting. The Sleepweaver obviously works so well for Symmit, yet I've heard lots of negative reviews too. Just show that what works for one, doesn't necessarily work for another. I've not been able to try the Sleepweaver as they don't make full face ones yet, as far as I'm aware.
RockRpsgt said:
How does the Weaver work for you. I only had success with these in about 1-2% of my patients. it did not work for me as I am a mover and a shaker in my sleep.
symmit said:
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The sleepweaver is great for me, I have a short, flat, oriental style nose, and I prefer to sleep on my side. I use a memory foam pillow which reduces my movement I think in the night.
I like the sleepweaver a lot, it's got its faults (need tight side straps and leaves strapmarks, hose has to go downwards) and it;s pretty hard to stop it leaking, the trick is to ensure it's not into the eyes. The "pull away and reseat" trick works most of the time, and it seems to stay in place well overnight. The benefits though - no rubber, near silent venting, no jet blast for the wife etc. are huge, and it's really easy to pack into my cpap bag! (I travel quite a bit).
It doesn't obstruct forward vision either, which is good for me as I like to watch TV..
It's a shame manufacturers don't offer try before you buy as I reckon that it would be one every nasal cpap user would try if it were cost / risk free, takes some perseverance like everything does but if it works it's great.
Headgear falls apart with washing though :(
RockRpsgt said:
How does the Weaver work for you. I only had success with these in about 1-2% of my patients. it did not work for me as I am a mover and a shaker in my sleep.
symmit said:Rock - I've had mine a week and have found if my skin is carefully dried before going to bed and the seal is meticulously clean it doesn't move... Not tried the original Quattro, for me a fullface is an "option" not my "prime" choice, I'm a sleepweaver user 90% of the time, just swapping to fullface for those nights when for any reason nasal breathing is difficult (rather than resorting to decongestants) or for the purpose of writing a review on something new!
Kath - I'm finding that the main area of pressure from the mask is on the chin not the nose so it may work quite well for you! I
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Hi Kath.
Indeed there is no full face version - will be interesting if they do later though as I can see making it fit >90% of faces will be a nightmare.
Kath Hope said:This is interesting. The Sleepweaver obviously works so well for Symmit, yet I've heard lots of negative reviews too. Just show that what works for one, doesn't necessarily work for another. I've not been able to try the Sleepweaver as they don't make full face ones yet, as far as I'm aware.
RockRpsgt said:
How does the Weaver work for you. I only had success with these in about 1-2% of my patients. it did not work for me as I am a mover and a shaker in my sleep.
symmit said:
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To bring the thread back on topic:
I've just been on the phone with Resmed Realsleep's Sarah. She tells me that there is not any feedback from Australia about the Quattro FX headgear problem. Worse yet, she tells me that only I and one other (Pippa, I guess) have complained about the headgear and that she cannot see the problem!!
Anyone else with stretching straps and/or curling velcro, please write Resmed (RealSleep, 96 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4RY attn: Sarah Chapman) detailing your problem.
On the other hand, Sarah offered to swap-out (we love you, America) my stretched and curled headgears. Generous offer accepted with thanks.
Sarah sent me two new large headgears last April 4th - say, four months ago. Since then, I have streched/deformed and/or curled to the point of uselessness, the two large headgears and thge medium that the mask came with. Total three headgears. £70 in four months or £210 per year. I just couldn't afford that so full marks for Sarah sending me replacements.
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