Help with sealing issues.....

[pb5927317]

Ok, 4th night at doing this. I started with a Respironics small/medium comfort gel nasal mask. Fits great very comfortable. Problem is when I ramp up to 20, I blow a leak through my mouth. Got a chin strap...I just wake up blow air out my lips then.

So I went back got a medium Respironics Comfort Gel Full. I have to tighten it really tight to keep it from leaking and its very uncomfortable.

Should I maybe try the nasal mask again and just tape my mouth shut? I would look like a bloated chipmunk, but does that matter?

The mouth leak doesnt start till I almost go to sleep, then it wakes me up

[LSAT]

I certainly am not an expert on leaks...I have them myself, but here are a few things to try. First ...often you can tighten the mask so it doesn;t leak, then, after a few minutes gradually loosen it. The mask may not leak once it gets up to your pressure. Also, be sure you wash your face to get any oils off. Boy, 20 is an awfully high setting. Are you using the ramp feature and starting at 15 or lower?

[OutaSync]

Should I maybe try the nasal mask again and just tape my mouth shut? I would look like a bloated chipmunk, but does that matter?

The mouth leak doesnt start till I almost go to sleep, then it wakes me up

It doesn't matter what you look like, it matters that you can sleep! Go ahead and tape you lips shut AND wear a chinstrap. A lot of us do that every night. Lip leaks wake me up when the pressure hits 20, too. A seal that works at 15 won't hold at 20-25. Unfortunately one has to really clamp it down to hold all night. I know it's hard, but you will get used to it. It took me much longer than it takes other people.

Good luck,

Bev

[roster]

Should I maybe try the nasal mask again and just tape my mouth shut? I would look like a bloated chipmunk, but does that matter?

With "chipmunk cheeks" you are likely to sleep very poorly, so stick with making a full face mask work.

Some others with high pressure will chime in about which FF masks work for them.

[SaltLakeJan]

Greetings to all,
After striking out with my fav. zest mask - it rubbed a rab spot under my nose. I decided to try a FF. My R.T. recommended the Quattro. It fit very well in the R.T's office, but the first time I used it at home, I had leaks & more leaks. Plus it left a red mark on my nose. I continued to work with it, taping the bridge of my nose for about a week. I gradually got used to it and I consider it v.g.. I do have one complaint, the cushion got flabby after a month. Then it started leaking. I got a new cushion - and it fit like a dream - hopefully this one will have a longer life.

Jan

[rubymom]

I couldn't get a good seal at 20 with my CPAP. It just blew my FF mask right off my face. I ended up "failing" CPAP and needed to get a Bipap machine. With that, I could successfully use the Liberty and in fact my pressures ended up more in the 12014 range.

[fidelfs]

I also use the un-comfortgel full face mask. I have found out that if I put a little tiny pressure with my finger in the middle of the mask all leaks stops. I am still trying to find what to use to wrap it around my head. I am thinking in one of those cheap chinstrap will work.

I tried one of those self wrapping bandages, but it didn't have the power to keep it in place.

Try it and you will see that the leak will be gone.

Good Luck.

[Komodo]

I use the Comfortgel nasal (medium) w/pressure 17.6.
I turn my machine on half an hour before I'm ready to use it, to warm up the mask. That makes a BIG difference for me, in getting a better seal when I first put the mask on.
I also position the headgear a LOT lower on my head than it should be. The top strap is below the back of my skull, and the lower straps are on the back of my neck. The mask itself sit where it's supposed to on my face. My mask is firm on my face, but NOT tight. It took a lot of "tweaking" before I got it set just right, but now it's perfect. I toss n' turn all night long and the mask stays put, and doesn't leak.

[GumbyCT]

I couldn't get a good seal at 20 with my CPAP. It just blew my FF mask right off my face. I ended up "failing" CPAP and needed to get a Bipap machine. With that, I could successfully use the Liberty and in fact my pressures ended up more in the 12014 range.

A BiPap is an excellent option - like nite & day. But requires a new prescription from your doc and there may be other hurdles required by Insurance. Talk to your doctor.

Some other things to try -
1. Keep notes of what worked and what needs more work.

2. Start to bed early - before you get tired, or in the afternoon even. You MUST adjust your straps under your MAX pressure - NOT the Ramp pressure. So do this BEFORE bed, before you get tired and cranky. More force is put on the straps as the pressure increase (and you are drifting off to sleep). Adjust your straps when laying down at FULL pressure. Your face WILL change shapes when you lay down.

NOTE: If your DME doesn't have a place to lay down for a mask fitting - get it done at home or find another DME.

I have found out that if I put a little tiny pressure with my finger in the middle of the mask all leaks stops. I am still trying to find what to use to wrap it around my head.

3. I use a knee-high nylon tied in a knot. The nylon is surprisingly soft and strong. The idea is not to pull the mask into your face but to keep it from moving away from you face. So this strap will be fairly loose. I slip mine over my head, so I don't have adjust it each nite.

It does take some trial & error to get things right bc each persons face has a different shape. Kinda like fingerprints

Search for posts by Rested Gal on how to use "tights" for a strap, she has many, many ideas for different masks. I use the one finger thing above to find the point that is most effective.

HTH

[roster]

Search for posts by Rested Gal on how to use "tights" for a strap, she has many, many ideas for different masks. I use the one finger thing above to find the point that is most effective.

HTH

Good suggestion. Here is a page with Rested Gal's photos showing ladies tights leg tied in a loop and used as a stabilizer on some masks: wiki/index.php/Hybrid_Mask_Modifications

You MUST adjust your straps under your MAX pressure - NOT the Ramp pressure. So do this BEFORE bed, before you get tired and cranky. More force is put on the straps as the pressure increase (and you are drifting off to sleep). Adjust your straps when laying down at FULL pressure. Your face WILL change shapes when you lay down.

Another good one. I also found placing my machine in front of a mirror and adjusting the straps while looking in the mirror helped. Turn the machine on at full pressure and readjust to the lightest tension that will give a leakless mask. Then like the Gumbasian says, you should try it again at full pressure while lying in your sleep position.