New CPAPer, feeling discouraged, leaking like a flat tire

Hi Gang,
I'm new to CPAP. Diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. Grateful my sleep problem has a name and, ideally, a solution.

Using Fisher & Paykel Simplus full face mask, pressure at 14. It's leaking all over. Wakes me up all night. Have adjusted the straps this way and that. Got "Pad a Cheek" face liner. Still leaking.

Does anyone use Pad a Cheek's "anti-leak strap"? Looks like Hannibal Lecter with a strap holding all this other gear in place, but I'm game if it'll help.

Looking at masks online is like being in the cereal aisle at the grocery store: 10,000 choices and no idea what's best.

Question: Is Res Med Mirage Quattro any better? Or Res Med Quattor FX? Or Respironics ComfortGel Blue Full Mask System?

The "gel" part sounds good, like it would fit to the contours of my face. But does it actually work?

I can deal with the gear strapped to my face, and I welcome the air pressure (it's heaven!), but the leaking is making me crazy.

Suggestions?

Thank you.

Getting the right mask alot of times is the most difficult part of this treatment. Our forum hosts https://www.cpap.com/ have some masks that have free return insurance and some where you can buy the return insurance. That way you have a 30 day period to return the mask if it doesn't work out. If you see one you like don't order online, call them there may be a discount off the price.

Thank you!

Feel like I'm on new planet with all this.

Thank you very much.

I feel your pain. Finding that right mask can be extremely difficult. I had been trying to find that mask for weeks. My pressure tops off at 22.

This list below is the masks I have tried.

AirFit F10-FFM
AirFit N10-Nasal
Mirage Liberty-Hybrid FFM
Mirage Quattro-FFM
Swift FX Nano-Pillow
Mirage Activa LT Nasal

The Mirage Activa LT is an AWESOME nasal mask. ZERO leaks and fairly comfortable. I'm a side sleeper and it works great. My only concern now is I have to find a full face mask to use when I am stuffed up.

Wow, Mr. Nifty, you've tried all those before you found one that you like?

Okay, so I really am at the beginning here. I was thinking (dreaming) that I'd get the machine, get a mask, sleep with it all and, wham, problem solved.

Been reading the forum info for newbies. That helps a lot.

It can sometimes happen that you find your mask pretty quickly. My husband was able to use his first mask F10 with the PadaCheek liner. And at first I didn't think he was ever going to get it where it didn't keep both of us awake. My 3rd one was my favorite.
You could watch this video to be sure you are fitting your mask right. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orYj6wzt-Sk

Another Mirage Activa LT fan - it's the only one that will work for me.

IrishPatrick wrote:Wow, Mr. Nifty, you've tried all those before you found one that you like?

Okay, so I really am at the beginning here. I was thinking (dreaming) that I'd get the machine, get a mask, sleep with it all and, wham, problem solved.

Been reading the forum info for newbies. That helps a lot.

Just don't give up. You will find a good mask!

OkyDoky wrote:Getting the right mask alot of times is the most difficult part of this treatment. Our forum hosts https://www.cpap.com/ have some masks that have free return insurance and some where you can buy the return insurance. That way you have a 30 day period to return the mask if it doesn't work out. If you see one you like don't order online, call them there may be a discount off the price.

Hi Oky -- I meant to ask you, does the company require a prescription? (Ghastly that some companies do .. and makes no sense either).

Thanks

DeeCPAP wrote:

OkyDoky wrote:Getting the right mask alot of times is the most difficult part of this treatment. Our forum hosts https://www.cpap.com/ have some masks that have free return insurance and some where you can buy the return insurance. That way you have a 30 day period to return the mask if it doesn't work out. If you see one you like don't order online, call them there may be a discount off the price.

Hi Oky -- I meant to ask you, does the company require a prescription? (Ghastly that some companies do .. and makes no sense either).

Thanks

Most online companies do require a prescription. If you had a sleep study and original prescription you need to get a copy of those from the doctor legally you can get a copy to keep. They are your medical records. Then you can make a copy and fax it to the online companies.
If for some reason you do not have a doctor that wrote the prescription, you can sometimes find whole masks at Amazon and mask parts on Ebay that you put together with no prescription..

OkyDoky wrote:

DeeCPAP wrote:

OkyDoky wrote:Getting the right mask alot of times is the most difficult part of this treatment. Our forum hosts https://www.cpap.com/ have some masks that have free return insurance and some where you can buy the return insurance. That way you have a 30 day period to return the mask if it doesn't work out. If you see one you like don't order online, call them there may be a discount off the price.

Hi Oky -- I meant to ask you, does the company require a prescription? (Ghastly that some companies do .. and makes no sense either).

Thanks

Most online companies do require a prescription. If you had a sleep study and original prescription you need to get a copy of those from the doctor legally you can get a copy to keep. They are your medical records. Then you can make a copy and fax it to the online companies.
If for some reason you do not have a doctor that wrote the prescription, you can sometimes find whole masks at Amazon and mask parts on Ebay that you put together with no prescription..

Thanks for the info. Seems easier to let the doc order (faxing all that paperwork sounds time consuming). Too bad we can't go to our local med supply stores and just buy a dang mask!!!! Arghh! Again, thanks!

Call CPAP.com they will contact your doctor for the prescription. But you should have the copies on hand so you can use them when you want. You never know when the doctor will move on or if you want to travel and lose something, and if you have the paperwork it will help you get what you need.

What a stinking nightmare. Everything that Irish Patrick has said i echo. Initially my script was set at 14 and the machine was blowing the mask off of my face all night long. But then the tech decides that i need to be i increased to 20 with a different mask. Its a good thing these have straps or the mask would have bounced off of my ceiling. I subscribe to MyAir and the machine is lying its butt off to that website. Repeatedly it records that i have a 20/20 mask seal which is a complete lie. I know that I need this but whats better 7 hrs of sleep a night with apnea or 4 hours of frustration. I have already informed my supplier that i may be returning their equipment.

Fyi hopefully it was not a waste of money money but i have a strap coming from pad-a-cheek. Do those night guard things work?

OkyDoky wrote:Call CPAP.com they will contact your doctor for the prescription. But you should have the copies on hand so you can use them when you want. You never know when the doctor will move on or if you want to travel and lose something, and if you have the paperwork it will help you get what you need.

Thanks again. Would you happen to know if they take Medicare? Or do you pay them first, then submit the bill to Medicare?

Dee-I used my cell phone, took a pic of my prescription. then I emailed it to cpap.com Only took a minute.