Help with leak with Total Face mask

Slept my first night with an XL FitLife Total face mask by Respironics. I am going to try the large size also. Might also try their older mask simply called "Total Face Mask". The cost of return insurance on that one is almost the cost of the mask itself though! If someone had an old one I could try, that would be cool.

Anyway, when the mask does not leak, the leak is basically zero. Awesome. When it does leak, it is always huge. Farting sounds and lots of readjustment needed during night. And even this much I was only able to attain with the help of rubbing aloe vera gel and Dr. Bronner's Magic Lotion along the silicone, which for me, does improve the seal. Though it's messy and and a pain in the as.

During the times it wasn't leeking, my flow rate graph looked quite good. Probably the most uniform I have ever seen it in fact. So I really want to make this work. Total face mask completely removes any issues of obstructing the nasal passages. Nasal and full face masks press on the sinuses, and even nasal pillows cover some of the area of the nostril openings. All of this adversely impacts my breathing, even the nasal pillows. I think this is why TFM might be what I am looking for.

So besides trying a different size mask and tightening the straps, any tips on reducing leak? Any thing I can physically put on the silicone to improve the seal? One thing I did notice is that when I move my lower teeth forward, the seal seemed to improve. I don't know if some type of oral appliance could hold my mouth in that position. I already wear a bite guard on my lower teeth.

Thanks.

Check with Karen at padacheek.com to see if she has a mask liner for that mask.

Good idea. I sent them an email. They have mask liners for sizes small, large, and extra large!

Looks like CPAP.com has one to consider too:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/silent ... iners.html
These are one size fits L and XL, but are disposable.

I think I'll try both brands. Thanks!

Tell me how it goes. I was never able to get this mask to work, Also I'd be willing to send you the old school hockey mask one as well. I don't think I'll be using it.

metallikat36 wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 20, 2018 2:12 pm

Slept my first night with an XL FitLife Total face mask

Sorry, I don't know your history. Why are you using an unconventional mask?

Basically, everything presses on the sinuses, which for me restricts my breathing. Only exception to this would be a total face mask. Even nasal pillows by virtue of covering some of the nostril openings make breathing harder for me. Basically, I got sinus issues. I wear two breath right nasal strips, which helps. If I wore a TFM, I could also add a breath-right nostril expander which helps as well. I used to do that before starting CPAP. Tried everything for my sinuses already.

I used the fitlife for 7 years. When it leaks it leaks -- a lot. All I can say is to tighten it snugly at first then increase the tightness as it ages, It was always a pleasure to receive a new mask so I can wear it looser. Overall it was not that bad about leaking. I cleaned my with dawn and a washcloth when needed or when it leaked badly.
I am not saying anything bad about it because it worked, I learned to push it to one side or the other when it leaked and I went right back to sleep. I sleep on my right or left side as well as supine, no stomach sleeping.

metallikat36 wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:37 pm

Basically, I got sinus issues.

Are you under the care of an ENT?

I think the Sheriff used this mask..

Been using this mask for 8 years. I like the xtra large better than the large. Apria doesn't stock them, so I have to wait for the mask to be ordered. I can get only 6 months outta the mask. When it starts leaking real bad, I can't get it to stop. The cushions are permanent and you can't remove them and boil them like you can on full face masks. For me, the mask starts to leak around the cheeks. As for the mask part around the chin, I allow the air to fill my cheeks... aka "chipmunk cheeks". This prevents leakage around the lower part of the mask. I have learned to do that all night.

It's been known around here as a mask of "last resort". I do enjoy not having any part of the mask touch my nose (inside or out). The air enters the lower part of the mask, so it doesn't blow in the eyes.

I keep the lower straps fairly loose and adjust the upper straps to control leaks. If the upper straps are fairly snug, and leaks start to occur, I slightly tighten the lower straps.

Karen (padacheek.com) does make liners (and strap covers ) for this mask. I couldn't control the leak rates wearing the liner, but dang, they were comfortable.

Sheriff

So what is the actual purpose of a mask liner...comfort? or do they actually help control leaks?

AirMech74 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 24, 2018 6:29 am

So what is the actual purpose of a mask liner...comfort? or do they actually help control leaks?

Both...Have you reviewed padacheek.com website?

When I stat sweating, my mask will leak badly unless I use a mask liner. They don't totally eliminate the leaks, but make them bearable.

AirMech74 wrote: ↑

Tue Apr 24, 2018 6:29 am

So what is the actual purpose of a mask liner...comfort? or do they actually help control leaks?

Make your own outta' an old t-shirt. Trace your mask on a piece of paper, then cut out the liner from the t-shirt. See if it works for you. If it does, I'd recommend Karen's liners. They are custom made for your mask. They are washable.

Sheriff

I came across a few more options for helping with leaks. I thought it best go in another thread, as now it's getting more about leaks in general, and not just my particular mask:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=171249

1. What looks like an aloe vera gel to seal the mask.
2. A silcone based gel to seal the mask.
3. Mask liners actually made out of gel.

Pad-a-cheek liner has been disappointing so far.

I tried sliding the total face mask up so high that it does not cover my mouth, but rather the bottom of the mask rests on the upper lip. This actually sealed better! I thought I might have invented a new "total nose" style mask. Slept half a night that way. But then I thought better of it when I noticed the next day I had some dental pain.