Flex Fit 431 Full Mask Issues

[kwrnr1961]

After 9 months of using a traditional CPAP mask, with mixed results, I recently converted to a Flex Fit 431 full face mask. I went in for a CPAP titration study 3 nights ago and used this mask. It seemed to work pretty well there, so they sent me home with the mask. After 2 nights of using it at home, I don't have any idea if I'm using it the right way or if it's the right mask for me. The mask came with 3 silicon seals (different sizes???), I believe they are different sizes. I need some help from anyone who uses this mask. Is air supposed to come out of the top,front part of the mask (through the plastic part, not the seal)? It seems louder than when I used it at the sleep lab. My wife said I snored last night and even recorded it, which I heard this morning. My throat is also sore. How can I be snoring if the air is being forced through my mouth. Making matters worse, the bridge of my nose if very sore and red. I'm very frustrated and searching for answers.
Thanks to anyone who can help!!!

[rested gal]

My wife said I snored last night and even recorded it, which I heard this morning. My throat is also sore. How can I be snoring if the air is being forced through my mouth.

One possibility is that the titration at the sleep lab didn't find the pressure that really deals with snoring during your normal sleep positions at home. Mattress, thickness of pillow under your head, chin tucked down toward your chest constricting the throat more... meds, food, drink. So many things at home can affect how much pressure is needed to clear snoring, not to mention preventing other events.

The throat soreness following a night of cpap, full face mask, and snoring could be due to not enough pressure.
Could also be lack of heated humidification, or not having the heat turned up enough to give sufficient humidification when taking in treatment air through the mouth with a full face mask.

Think "autopap" and software. Takes a lot of the guesswork out, as well as removing the need in many cases for additional titrations in the lab. Armed with knowledge about what you're doing and the right equipment tools it's possible to tweak one's own treatment. That is...if you're so inclined. Some like to take more control of their own treatment, with or without a doctor or DME's input. Others prefer to leave it all up to the doctor.

Where snores are concerned, raising the pressure on a straight cpap machine, or raising the lower pressure on an autopap is usually what it takes to get rid of genuine snoring. With some autopaps and some home environments, there can be other things that might get registered as "snores", but in your case, kwrnr, your wife clearly heard and recorded your snores. Good lab-ratting, by the way! Please tell her that's a compliment!

Even looking at data via software it can be a trade-off between finding enough pressure to eliminate snores without having to use so much pressure the treatment would be uncomfortable or even counterproductive in other ways.

Good luck!

[Fatigue Fighter]

The mask came with 3 silicon seals (different sizes???), I believe they are different sizes. I need some help from anyone who uses this mask. Is air supposed to come out of the top,front part of the mask (through the plastic part, not the seal)?

I used my FlexiFit HC431 last night out of desperation 'cause of too high pressure bothering my nares. Air should not be coming out of the top of the mask. Air should be coming out of the front slot just above the elbow.
I was only given two sizes of the silicone seal and am not aware of a third size (it wasn't in the instructions that came with it). I use the smaller size. It keeps leaks out better. Be sure the seal fits into the rim edges of the mask. Good luck with it.

FF

[snowdog]

I've got the same mask (and hate it by the way).

Mine did come with three different sized seals. I use the medium one. Air vents in two places, from the area around the bridge of your nose. It also vents from both sides of the plastic piece between the hose and the mask. This part makes absolutely no sense to me. From what I can tell it vents 40-55% of the air out before it ever gets to the mask. It makes a lot of noise as well. Dumb design. I ended up putting tape over that part.

I've only been using the mask for about three months and have broken one already. The part on the elbow that snaps into the vent piece snapped off. I asked for a different mask from my DME because I'm always having trouble with leaks, it's uncomfortable, and let's face it, it broke in under three months. I'm stuck with it unless I want to pay for one myself.

The new mask for some reason leaks even more than the old one. To the point I've been ripping it off because the leaks drive me crazy. Eventually I'll break down and buy one for myself from here.

[TZ138]

I use this mask. I found that the head gear is not good enough to hold the pressures. The velcro creeps. I had to pin the velcro flaps with safety pins. This works quite well. The elbow is the weak link, snapping out with almost any contact. This has worn both the elbow, and mask body. Otherwise, my mask actually works well. It is quiet. a little air does pass through the top, I believe to keep the oxygen level consistent throughout the mask. The elbow is supposed to exhaust the "spent" air during exhale only. I have been using this mask for about 18 months. The other responder is accurate on adjusting the machine. The humidifier is also adjustable. This will help the throat.

[chunkyfrog]

The 431 and 432 both exhaust through a cluster of little round holes right above the elbow.
If the air is blowing, there should not be air coming through anywhere else.
If the machine is not blowing, there will be air going in and out the ports on the sides of the tubing at the lower part of the elbow.
It is a good idea to check the little butterfly valve between these ports, as it gets misplaced easily.

[Samba]

I used a 432 & a medium seal, large leaks & nose bridge was way too sore so I switched to large, much better. Downside : had too tighten straps more
so more cheek marks, nothings perfect...

Making matters worse, the bridge of my nose if very sore and red. I'm very frustrated and searching for answers.
Thanks to anyone who can help!!!

[avi123]

[quote="kwrnr1961"]After 9 months of using a traditional CPAP mask, with mixed results, I recently converted to a Flex Fit 431 full face mask. I went in for a CPAP titration study 3 nights ago and used this mask. It seemed to work pretty well there, so they sent me home with the mask. After 2 nights of using it at home, I don't have any idea if I'm using it the right way or if it's the right mask for me. The mask came with 3 silicon seals (different sizes???), I believe they are different sizes. I need some help from anyone who uses this mask. Is air supposed to come out of the top,front part of the mask (through the plastic part, not the seal)? It seems louder than when I used it at the sleep lab.

Reply,

As others pointed out, in either #431 and #432 masks air suppose to come out only thru those small holes by the nose area. If air comes out also at the non-re breathing valve then the valve is defective. Then, fix the valve (those leaves inside should go to the other side) or replace it.

The Strip Glider in those masks is weak. In my case, when the Glider's plastic hook got bent from the tension by the headgear strap (on the left side) I opened the Velcro and re-tightened the headgear strap behind the hook body.

After placing the mask on my face I stop the leaks around the mask seal by lifting the mask's solid body and readjusting on my face. I also lift the mask by its solid body about 1/4 of an inch from my face if I want to sneeze while the CPAP is on. Then I sneeze into the mask. If you do it without lifting the mask then those leaves of the non re-breathing valve pop to the other side and the valve becomes non operational.

As to the rubbing on the nose bridge (the #432 does it more than #431) I use the Resmed Gecko Pad which does a good job.