It might be possible that the strap on the right side is simply putting pressure on an area with a nerve acting up.
It might be possible that you are clenching your teeth that is causing the problem.
There are some simple things to try to see if they help or not with both the minor leaks that wake you up and the jaw discomfort.
For mask leaks..try a mask liner. You can buy them or make your own. I don't have personal experience with them (never used a full face mask) but from what I have read the liners seem to reduce the annoyance factor that often wakes people up. Often used at higher pressures but there's no reason why they can't be used at lower pressures also.
Padacheek makes a great mask liner that will last for months and months with common sense care
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html
I usually suggest that people try making one out of an old TShirt first...just to see if it seems to help before spending money on one.
Just because a leak is minor and not really harming the therapy effectiveness itself doesn't mean that they can't be harming sleep quality with frequent wake ups...so if a leak (even if it is tiny) wakes a person up then it needs to be fixed.
For the jaw discomfort I would try a mask strap cover first...again you can make your own or buy them.
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Strap_Pads.html
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Original.html
Something a little softer or cushier on the jaw might be enough to relieve the discomfort and hurts nothing to try. I made my own first strap covers (I didn't like the dents in my cheeks from the mask straps) before I bought from Padacheek. They weren't real pretty but they got the job done.
Finally...at some point you probably will be lured by the thought of trying a mask that simply has less presence on the face and head. It's entirely possibly that the cpap pressure and added moisture has helped the nasal congestion that lead you to decide on a full face mask to cover possible mouth breathing issues. It's funny but I often wake up with the nose much clearer than when I went to bed and I am not alone in noticing that fact. So if you want to try something else...then try it. Wanting to is a good enough reason. It may or may not work out but you will learn something from it. I have tried way too many masks to count...some were dismal failures but some turned out to surprise me with my having good success with it. I always learned something...even if all I learned was how much I hated the damn thing.
Check with your DME (equipment supplier) to see what their mask swapping policy is. Often they have 30 days in which you can try other masks and not have it cost you anything. Make use of whatever time you have to utilize any mask swapping options they offer. You can always go back to your first choice if it ends up being the best option but you won't know unless you try something else.
I mention this now because you are probably fast approaching the end of any mask swapping time your DME might offer. Hence the recommendation to maybe try a homemade mask liner or strap so you don't have to wait for shipment. In reality the mask manufacturers all offer a 30 day return policy for each mask but DMEs elect to make their own in house policy about mask swapping...so check with your DME to see what their policy is. Insurance will only pay for one mask per the allowance schedule but DMEs can get reimbursed from mask manufacturers for mask swapping if they would just do the paperwork...often they are just too lazy to do the paperwork.
Don't be afraid to try something else if it interests you...even a nasal interface mask. You might find out that you don't really have to use a full face mask. You won't ever know unless you try.
Now you might find out that you mouth breathe too much and a full face mask is the best choice but at least you will know and not be "what iffing I could use so and so mask".
I thought I was a mouth breather...but with the cpap pressure and humidity helping with the clearer nose and the cpap stopping the gasping for air in the middle of the night, I found that I didn't really mouth breathe all that much and what little I did really didn't hurt anything....and had issues with straps and full face masks so a nasal mask was pretty much my choice anyway...it's a good thing that I don't have to use a full face mask. I did try a lot of masks though so that I knew what my own needs and preferences were...It took some time and effort (and picking up cast offs from forum members to keep the cost down) but it's a great learning experience when you can do it.
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.
If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.
