BIG change in leaking status

For the last week, I have gone from 100% no leak mask nightly to 76%- 65%-57% leakage using the same masks I have used for 3 months with successful results. I am fighting leaks all night long, which is unusual for my last 3 months. I have about 3 masks and using all of them is the same problem. I can't find any leaks in the hose or hissing sound, the humidifier looks to be set OK, but I have wondered about the little flap located where the CO2 is released. I don't know how tight that should fit but wonder if this is the culprit?
I am trying to figure out why my sleep therapy has gone awry? Thank goodness my insurance compliance requirement has been met before all this started. Any suggestions?

SoarHigher wrote:For the last week, I have gone from 100% no leak mask nightly to 76%- 65%-57% leakage using the same masks I have used for 3 months with successful results. I am fighting leaks all night long, which is unusual for my last 3 months. I have about 3 masks and using all of them is the same problem. I can't find any leaks in the hose or hissing sound, the humidifier looks to be set OK, but I have wondered about the little flap located where the CO2 is released. I don't know how tight that should fit but wonder if this is the culprit?
I am trying to figure out why my sleep therapy has gone awry? Thank goodness my insurance compliance requirement has been met before all this started. Any suggestions?

If it were one mask, I would say change the mask. However, since you report the same issue with three different masks, it's hard to believe that all three developed the same problem at the same time. If all three masks are identical, you might want to try a different type of mask. Please check your water chamber for cracks and leaks. Also, check the perimeter of the machine for unexpected leaks.

Have you been doing anything different? Maybe without thinking about it? Changed how you wear your hair to bed or something you might not be thinking about? My friend has similar issues when she went from pony tail to braid because it changed how her headgear sat she didn't even realize until her hubby pointed out that shed changed her hair and not adjusted the gear

When you lose weight, your face gets the effects right away and how a FF mask fits can change quickly... but how you deal with it - diff. size, diff. mask entirely, Padacheek.com liners, is up to you. If weight is not the issue, either your headgear has stretched out all at once, or ????

Another thing. One poster suggested that even though you tried three masks, it's not clear that each one has separate headgear. If you're using the same headgear, perhaps you need new headgear.

SoarHigher wrote:For the last week, I have gone from 100% no leak mask nightly to 76%- 65%-57% leakage using the same masks I have used for 3 months with successful results. I am fighting leaks all night long, which is unusual for my last 3 months. I have about 3 masks and using all of them is the same problem. I can't find any leaks in the hose or hissing sound, the humidifier looks to be set OK, but I have wondered about the little flap located where the CO2 is released.

the "little flap" is not where co2 is released, that vents along with other air through the little holes that air blows out, the flap is there *ONLY* for when the machine is off, so you can breath if you've got your mask on and power goes out, or something similar. during operation, the anti asphyxiation valve must be shut tight.

it's help if you said something about the machine, and the mask make and model.

did you feel all along the hose for air? even a few pinholes might not make hissing noise but would drive the leak rate up.

Since it happens with 3 separate masks I would swap out hoses just to totally eliminate the possibility of the hose having some holes in it or a bad connection that isn't easily seen or felt or heard.
Plus make sure that all the seals on the humidifier are working properly.

Also look at the leak graphs. Does the leak appear to be normal at the beginning of the night and then get worse or is the large leak apparent right from the beginning of the night?

Do some testing while awake and look at the leak graphs and see what it shows when you are sure that there are no large leaks.

Thank you all or your insight. I am baffled that I was doing so well with very few leak nights for 3 months and now every night has mega leaks fighting them all night at the mask. I didn't think about the headgear affecting it that much but that makes sense so I will expirement with changing that more, plus changing my hose out and checking closer with the humidifier seals and cracks. I looked closely at the hose and didn't see or feel any leaks? I feel the head gear has loosened since I am tightening it more than at the beginning. I don't know how long before replacing headgear. My dreamstation is brand new as of 3 months so I think it is good to go. My masks are Resmed Quattro and my favorite is Airfit F10. I called my DME and they are sending out new supplies as of yesterday 9/16 so hopefully things will improve if I try new equipment. They are baffled as well.
My 3 month compliance just past this week, and I was given a green light with the insurance company It is amazing how much more energy I have than 3 months ago and I now look forward to using the humidified clean air at night. I was even claustrophobic in the beginning and just kept ripping it off. I hope to get this worked out and soon.
Thanks again for replying.
"In the jungle the quiet jungle, the lion sleeps tonight."