The Resmed Quattro FX Full Face Mask

[Perplexed]

Well, I took a nice long nap w/the new Quattro FX full face mask. I really think I am going to like this mask. I didn't have to fuss w/finding a "fix" to make the head gear fit, I had no problems w/leaks, at least during this nap. I had no problems w/any areas of discomfort, at least during this nap. It sure seems promising!

I've been using the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask and have been quite happy w/it except for the "fixes" I have to make to the overly large headgear every time I get a new one. I like that there is so little to it, no forehead support, etc. The Quattro has no forehead support either, an asset to my way of thinking. The Quattro is lightweight. It actually fits better around my mouth than the Zzz-Mask does. Its a little wider. The Zzz-Mask sits right at the corners of my lips, the Quattro gives me some "maneuvering room" at the corners of my mouth.

I hated the original Quattro because I could never prevent the thin outer cushion cover from slicing the bridge of my nose. I had no problem of that - so far - w/the Quattro FX. The Quattro just felt good on my face this afternoon. I liked that.

[Perplexed]

Well, Quattro FX and I weren't on quite the same compatible plain we were on for my nap yesterday - but we did pretty good nonetheless.

I do have to say tho that when the Quattro FX leaks it doesn't play around w/some little whisper, it yells! Whistles! Blows like a foghorn!!

But, all in all, I think I still like it. At least I still like it enough to give it a few more nights of use. Hopefully we will come to a mutual meeting of the minds and make peace.

I'm lilking the headgear even more - except the lower strap "lock". It is too clumsy for me to mess w/in the dark. I just use the good ole velcro end to the strap to take it off and put it on and make any adjustments. That is easier for me.

[Perplexed]

Interesting mask, this Quattro FX. We are developing a rather interesting relationship. When it seals, this baby SEALS. When it doesn't, it is one honking LOUD son of a gun!!
I slept great for 4 hours last night. Woke up at 4:03, why I don't know. From 4:03 to 5:15 or so was a bear. The ole FX and I just could NOT seem to agree on a quiet seal no how. Then finally about 5:15 we came to an agreement and I slept great until 10 AM.

[Perplexed]

Ahhhh, yeah! Last night was more like it! More of what I was looking for and hoping for w/the Quattro FX. No trouble getting a good seal right off the bat last night and slept w/o a hitch until 8:35 this morning. No whispers, no farts and no honks.

I am using the velcro ends rather than the clips tho. I just never have been very good w/any of the mask's I've tried headgear's clips, snaps, whatever. I always seem to end up using the velcro. But then the masks I've liked the most and used the most and longest have had the velcro ends - wait! That's not true. Come to think of it the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face does have clips. I just didn't use them. My beloved ole Respironics Simplicity simple nasal cushion has just velcro ends, no clips. But - come these higher pressures and I just couldn't keep the leaks down even w/"gluing" my lips shut w/PoliGrip Denture Gel w/the Simplicity.

AND - I woke up hungry this morning. Always a good sign given my lousy appetite.

[Perplexed]

Well, I was considerably LESS enchanted w/my Quattro FX this morning. I tend to get a bit critical and grumpy when I'm wakened after only 4+ hours of sleep. This is the first mask I've used that is to be taken apart for cleaning. I think. I've never taken one apart for cleaning other than to remove the headgear. And I haven't this one.

This *(&^ Quattro woke me up this morning w/a loud hissing leak at the top of the mask where the cushion separated from the frame about 3 hours after I went to bed. I "thought" I put it back together properly and fortunately was able to get back to sleep. But that only lasted about an hour when it woke me up again loudly hissing due to the cushion becoming separated from the frame. NOT honking, HISSING! This time I had considerably more difficulty putting it back together, quite likely due to my temper.

Finally said to heck w/it and got up since I was wide awake and in less than a good frame of mind. It didn't help that I' was a bit nauseous and obviously gulped a bit of air prior to or on wakening due to the loud hissing. Nausea and the queasies do NOTHING for my dispositon so I quit whilst I was ahead and found something to do until I could go back to bed and BACK TO SLEEP.

No chance to nap today. Mumble. Grumble. Grrrrrrrrr.

[Kiwi]

I'm having a similar relationship with my FX.

I would only clean my Activa cushion every month or two. This thing I have to clean properly every day or there is no chance of it sealing.

When it leaks, the leak rate is not that high, but it is either noisy or directed straight into my eyes. Then some nights it does not leak at all.

But there is no way I would go back to my Activa and that *.!#@$ chin strap.

[Perplexed]

Hi Kiwi,

Thanks for the headsup on what you've encountered w/the Quattro FX so far.

I am DELIGHTED to report that ole Mr Quattro FX and I were back on mutually adoring terms last night!!! Absolutely no Leaks. No farts, no honks and no hissing. Well, except for one honk as I was attaching the second lower strap when I first went to bed.

And I was up once during the night due to my gut, right back to sleep when I returned to bed and slept thru 9:45 hours w/just the one 3 minutes break for the bathroom trip.

AND - I'm hungry this morning. Always a good sign! I am a HAPPY camper this morning!!! Well - since I am NOT a fan of mornings ..... ah, heck, yeah, I'm a happy camper.

[Perplexed]

I'm delighted to report ole Mr Quattro FX and I continued our cozy relationship last night. I do believe ole Mr Quattro FX is my new favorite mask!!!!

[Perplexed]

I'm STILL liking ole Mr Quattro FX a lot. Except I'm not any too impressed w/these masks that have to be taken apart to be cleaned. So far I've gotten away w/NOT taking it apart but once but I'm not so sure how well that is going to work out w/summer heat and humidity and risk of its not drying well and risk of mold. I've found w/a full face I tend to drool and then the lip flutters spray the drool all over the inside of the cushion and I have all these little dry spots inside the mask in the morning.

Tho nowhere near the same magnitude it rather reminds me of feeidng my neice her baby food. She was a fussy one. We put a square of visquine (sp?) in the middle of the kitchen floor, placed her high chair in the center, stripped her to her diaper and proceeded to offer her her dinner - she LOVED spraying it back at you! The little darling. Ah, the memories. She grew up to be a very intelligent, very capable, accomplished, sweet, thoughtful young woman.

I'm using a Small Quattro FX w/a Medium headgear. Its comfortable and relatively leak-free. Even the Medium headgear is a shade too large. I have to set the velcro ends of the lower straps w/the tips touching at the back of my neck. One of these days I'll take a pair of scissors and two velcro strips to these lower straps. For now I am enjoying it "as is".

[HH]

[Perplexed]

Mr Quattro FX and I had a parting of the ways for a bit this "morning". His cushion separated from the frame again. Second time. Grrrrrrrr! I'm tired, but I can't get back to sleep. And grumpy enough I'd rather throw it across the room than try to put it back together securely enough. The separation was in the same place, right at the top of the nose bridge. And I had such a beautiful, leak-free, first part of the night. I have a good ole Resmed S8 so I can check my data via the LCD screen and the leak was just 0.2 so it woke me up very soon after it happened.

[Perplexed]

One good night between battles and Mr Quattro FX and I did NOT see eye to eye last night. It was more like the Hatfields and McCoys. I just can't seem to get that doggone thin cushion cover put back on right or something, separation again on the top and sides of the nose bridge area. After about 3 hours of good sleep I probably battled w/ole Mr Quattro FX another hour and then just took it off and said to heck w/it. Grabbed my 02 nasal cannula, bypased my VPAP Auto and slept 3-4 more hours w/just 02, thank you. I'll have to take it in to my DME provider to see what he has to say or what I am doing wrong. Maybe I have a "defective" one or I'm just not getting the gist of putting it back together properly altho I'm pretty darn sure that I am. I know one thing, I won't ever take another one apart!!!! If it doesn't clean up and dry out in one piece it gets tossed in the trash when it gets dirty. Simple as that.

I'll say one thing for it: when it seals, it SEALS. I just don't understand this parting of the ways at the nose bridge area. Its a great mask for moving from back to sides and back again - when the nose bridge area of the cushion cover is secure anyway. I've had some really good nights w/ole Mr Quattro FX .... *sigh*

[Perplexed]

Ole Mr Quattro FX and I "made peace" last night and I slept a solid 7+ hours. Bless his heart. Virtually non-existent Leak and beautiful AHI.

[Perplexed]

I think I've got ole Mr Quattro FX figgered out. As long as I wash my face immediately beore bed we get along wonderfully. If I washed my face an hour or so earlier we aren't quite so compatible. The area between my eyes was always one of my "oily" areas when I was a teen and very conscious of oily skin. Maybe I unconsciously "fuss" at the bridge of the nose area at the slightest "feel" of a minor leak and that is what disrupts the "fit" between the thin outer cushion cover and the frame. Whatever. I'm really liking ole Mr Quattro FX. I tucked ole PB Zzz-Mask away in a drawer as a backup to Mr Quattro FX who has become my new and current "love interest".

[Lorrie_OH]

I just wanted to thank you for posting about your continual relationship with Mr. Quattro FX. I too am seeking out a perfect relationship with a mask. I'm a big time mouth breather (I always have a stuffy nose) so I need a full face mask. I've given the Liberty, Quattro and the Fisher Paykel Forma all a try but am still not satisfied with our relationships! Even though FX has given you the...ah...runaround at times, I believe that I am going to give it a try. I'm due for a new mask soon.

Lorrie