Do All Full Face Masks Leak?

rmmpres · Post by **rmmpres** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 5:46 am

I'm using a Flexifit HC431 with the small insert. I start off with a good seal, but walk up a few times every night when leaks develop from turning from my back to my sides. Also, the exhale slots are quite loud. I tried a Respironics ComfortFull, but that was worse. I had a Resmed Ultra Mirage on in my sleep study and the tech couldn't get a good seal. He also started me with a nasal mask, but I couldn't keep my mouth closed. We didn't try a chin strap in the sleep study. Do all full face masks leak like this?

I have a Resmed CFLEX with humidifier set at 13. I started at 15, but had the pressure lowered after a couple weeks. I've been wrestling with this for nearly two months. I have my first followup with the neurologist on this Wednesday and I won't have a good report for him.

I am tempted to try a Comfort Curve with a chin strap and try to retrain myself to keep my mouth closed. Has anyone has success moving from full face masks to nasal systems?

Newsgrouper · Post by **Newsgrouper** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:06 am

I find it better to tape my mouth and use nasal masks. I am currently using a combination of the Aura (RG modified), Breeze and Activa, sometimes switching during the night. On those nights that I do not want to continue taping I use a full face mask. I alternate with the HC431 and Ultra Mirage FF masks. The ff masks do leak more and I get better treatment with the nasal masks, especially the Aura and Breeze. That said,, I find it necessary to use a variety of masks for comfort and compliance.

tater pie · Post by **tater pie** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 11:00 am

In my experience with full face masks (the Respironics Comfort Full and the Ultra Mirage Full Face), yes, they all leak badly. I also found taping my mouth and using nasal pillows is a much better and more comfortable method. I used a chin strap with nasal masks and it didn't help keeping my mouth closed. I still got "lip puffs". Also, full face masks didn't help with dry mouth either and I do have a heated humidifier and have turned it all the way up and down with no success. Nasal pillows (Breeze) and mouth tape is the only way for me.

kenrose · Post by **kenrose** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:58 pm

It seems like I get different symptoms as I progress through treatment. At first I was doing well with a simple nasal mask. Then I thought I heard snoring noises but realized that it was pretty unlikely. I soon discovered that I was releasing air through my mouth. Taping with paper tape seems to do the job. I tried a chin strap and it helped a little. Some people use duct tape but I don't know, seems a little extreme. FFmasks get mostly bad reviews on this board so I guess I will stay with the tape. Would it make any difference with an auto pap?
Ken

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:10 pm

Nah, I don't think so. I have an auto and still have mouth leaks if I don't use tape. No one really uses duct tape, do they? I thought that was just a joke....

Here's a good link about tape with some pretty funny pictures:

Mouth tape..

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Fri Jul 22, 2005 11:14 pm

Hi,

I have a RemStar at 15cms and C-Flex set to 2.

*All* my masks leak but my mouth does more than they do

My f/f mask seems to be generally ok but it blows 'rasberrys' from time to time. Interestingly, both my self & wife can live with the leaks from my f/f mask (Mirage Ultra).

I do have to keep the Ultra Mirage tight (my activa was so delightfully loose) and I find I minimise the leaks by strapping a respironics premier chin strap over the lot (seems to keep it in place better).

I am convinced that the solution is to run AUTO but although I have an AUTO machine I am participating in a study & have committed to stick to 15cms fixed for 1 month (2 weeks to go).

The common wisdom among our esteemed experts is that AUTO is the best way to fly and because it averages the cms down and this means the lower average pressures reduce the mask leaks dramatically. I can see quite a difference between 14 & 15cms.

One reason I am pleased to do my 1st month on fixed cms is that when I go AUTO I will know what the difference means and will be able to verbalise it 6 very well.

Cheers

DSM

PS does anyone know if the rise in cms is linear or exponential ? I am trying to work out why going from 14 to 15 makes such a difference to leaks & ingested air>

Do All Full Face Masks Leak?

Do All Full Face Masks Leak?

lip puffs

Do they leak :) (do they what :) )