haven't been here for awhile

I haven't posted any new topics in quite some time. I lost my best/childhood friend 2 weeks ago, which left me devastated. In the meantime, I saw a new sleep doctor, who I love, and switched DME's. He immediately changed my machine to the newest (I think) one as listed in my profile. My problem is, I still can't seem to find the right mask. I've used swift for her nasal pillows, hybrid ffm, mirage quattro & Fisher & Paykel flexi fit 432, given to me by the new DME. I would love the flexi fit, since it is less confining, but it seems to leak like crazy, making me use the mirage instead. I've also used an old mask of my mother's that I think is a comfort something or other, which covers just my nose, since I don't care for nasal pillows. Last night I ordered a chin strap from cpap.com, hoping I can use just the nasal mask with it. Does anyone have any suggestions on masks? I know I've asked this thousands of times, but maybe there's something we've missed. Also, my original pressure on the old machine was 8. I happened to wake up the other night 2 times and looked at the new machine, which went all the way to 15.5. Is this normal?

Sounds like you've had a lot going on with trying to get your treatment optimized. If the night your pressure went so high you were leaking badly, it was probably just trying to keep up with the leaks. I can't be of much help with the mask selection as I'm a pillows person, but sure hope you work things out soon so you can get the rest you need. Gotta be hard to be going thru these adjustments while dealing with the loss of a someone dear. My condolences in your loss.
Kathy

I've been trying a comfortgel nasal mask for the last two days. working good so far

hi tbas -- very sorry to hear about your friend.

With any of the masks you've used, have you ever tried putting a homemade strap over the front of the mask and around your head, to stabilize the mask better?

The extra strap doesn't have to be tight. You know how you can put your fingers lightly against the front of a mask that's leaking, and get the leak to stop with very little finger pressure? That's kind'a the way a homemade strap works -- worth a try. The leg cut off a pair of pantyhose tights ("tights", not plain pantyhose) is what I use. Soft and stretchy:

Using homemade straps -- useful for stablilizing masks other than just the one shown.
Using one or two homemade straps with the Headrest nasal pillows mask.
http://www.tnlc.com/Lara/laura/osa/aura-strap6ways.jpg

DoubleStart Knot How to tie a flat knot behind head when using a homemade strap.
http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/doublestartknot.htm

It's also helpful to rig up a way to hang the main air hose overhead. Think of being a fish on the end of a slack line -- able to turn over and over underneath the hanging hose without the hose pulling the mask when you turn:

LINKS to Hose hangers and methods of managing the air hose
viewtopic.php?t=10640

You can try an Activa. A friend just wasn't getting any success with his Auto for 6 months, and then he changed 2 things:
a) they gave him a BiPap
b) he got an Activa mask

The Activa didn't leak and allowed him to sleep face down, which is the way he prefers it. His neighbor also has apnea and told him about the Activa, so it seems there this kind of info is best communicated by word of mouth. From what my physician told me, Activa allows you to change positions without leaking, so that could be a benefit if your leaks occur because of changes in position.

I am new at this cpap business but the mirage activa lt i use seems to be pretty comfortable. Not sure if i will end up staying with it because I struggle with mouth breathing issues. For me it is very comofrtable so i hope i can make it work.

Thank you all, once again, for good advice, recommendations, and support. Rested Gal- You're amazing with all the home-made fixes, which are great for someone like me, who doesn't have a lot of money. And thanks, PDean & Manas for advice on Mirage Activa. I read reviews on cpap.com and it got very good feedback...going to ask the DME to change mask to active to try. Missed you guys!!!!!!!!!!....I feel like I have all new friends!