Several nights with the Quattro FX

teachcsg wrote:Lazer try another FFM. I have not kept up with all your threads so maybe you have but my experience with the quattro fx (in putting it on pts and getting their feedback) is just like yours ....lots of leaks around the top that are hard to control.
I like the quattro ffm (not fx).
About the higher pressure with the FFM-I have not seen that before. I would think it would be the opposite since many pts complain that the nasal pillows create a "jet stream" type of effect on the pressure whereas the FFM seem to "dilute" the pressure a bit before the pt has to inhale.

Good luck and keep us posted

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give this thing another full week and then I believe I will look into your recommendation and possibly try the Quattro FFM.

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Edit: I just realized (I think) I may have tried the plain Quattro FFM awhile ago per a used buy off another forum member and still have it. I don't think I wore it more than one night due to congestion during a sinus infection so I will dig it back up (I think it was a medium though) and try it out.

Any suggestions on cleaning a FFM that's sat around in a drawer? Should I pop the silicon cushion completely off the mask and possibly soak it in vinegar/hot water solution OR mild soap? I've never gotten to the point of really cleaning a FFM yet as I'm used to the process with the nasal pillows.

Edit #2: Just thought of something. I'm not likely going to be able to wear my Zeo due to the Mirage Quattro's forehead brace/dial thingy?

What is the program that you are using?

Mike Grasso wrote:What is the program that you are using?

I use SleepyHead, Encore Basic, and for the Zeo: The web-based software that comes with it.

Well last night I don't know what to think. I dug up my used Mirage Quattro. Got everything dialed in as it was hard initially to stop the leaks at the top until I cranked down a bit on the forehead brace knob. For some reason, laying in bed before falling asleep, it felt more difficult to breath than normal but maybe because I was slightly congested and oddly I seem to fair better with the Nasal pillows unless I'm totally stopped up with congestion when I have any of that going on.

Anyhow, Observations:

Again, these FFM's push my pressure to the upper limit(s).

Terrible drymouth along with a sore throat this time

Woke up to some upper leakage around my eyes.

Otherwise, Had a decent night of sleep.

I have been using Quattro fx for 11 months. I think I've tried every available aid to help with leaks and to lower AHI. Starting Ahi was low 20's . Dr. thought that it was a great improvement of 75% reduction---pre-cpap. Now, I am usually <1 Ahi. Initial pressure was 5-20. Now it is 15-18. I use padacheek and the strap with the hole that fits in hose opening. I do not attach the lower clips in straps from the headgear as they kill the back of my head/neck. I used to be a huge mouthbreather --- not anymore from practice. Always looking for better masks and even nasal only masks to no avail . Unable to tolerate pillows.

Imo the #1 reason for lowered Ahi was the switch in pressure relief to x1 from x3

I just don't think I can take this mask much longer. It is waking me up (Note the two breaks in the graph during the night when I finally just got up and pressed the power button off then back on to lower the damn pressure). The leaks are coming up the top blowing past my eye and I can't find a happy medium by either tightening or loosening the top straps. Any suggestions on an alternate FFM with less problems of leakage at high pressure? OR I may just go back to the nasal pillows even though I'm an avid mouth breather - seemed much less events and even leaks were more manageable with the pillows.

The Quattro FX and I were not a good match. it's a shame too, because it was a very comfortable mask!

The failure was a combination of my active sleep habit of tossing and turning and my higher
Bi-pap pressures.

It seemed like I was always fighting leaks that were either coming out at the top near my eyes or via my chin. After 2 weeks, I had had enough and asked for the Quattro.

Dave

lazer wrote:I just don't think I can take this mask much longer. It is waking me up (Note the two breaks in the graph during the night when I finally just got up and pressed the power button off then back on to lower the damn pressure). The leaks are coming up the top blowing past my eye and I can't find a happy medium by either tightening or loosening the top straps. Any suggestions on an alternate FFM with less problems of leakage at high pressure? OR I may just go back to the nasal pillows even though I'm an avid mouth breather - seemed much less events and even leaks were more manageable with the pillows.

Is this with the FX or the regular Quattro?

grillhead wrote:

lazer wrote:I just don't think I can take this mask much longer. It is waking me up (Note the two breaks in the graph during the night when I finally just got up and pressed the power button off then back on to lower the damn pressure). The leaks are coming up the top blowing past my eye and I can't find a happy medium by either tightening or loosening the top straps. Any suggestions on an alternate FFM with less problems of leakage at high pressure? OR I may just go back to the nasal pillows even though I'm an avid mouth breather - seemed much less events and even leaks were more manageable with the pillows.

Is this with the FX or the regular Quattro?

This is with the Quattro FX (The one without the forehead brace). I do have a used Mirage Quattro (Original I guess with the brace) that I've tried on occasion but not too sure I'm sold on it yet either.

I tried out the Mirage Quattro and had a terrible time trying to stop leaks, no matter what I did. It also made my nose and forehead super-sore... I'm thinking of giving the Quattro FX a try because the tape, chinstrap, and Mirage FX are working, it's kind of a PITA, especially with the facial hair thing.

Another "Last night's" report with the Quattro FX and eventually, another awaking. Blah

You will be surprised how having a Chin Strap with a Full face could be more affective. I have heard That the Brett Farve Chinstrap made by Res Med is the best. Since the cushion is only designed to go just below your bottom lip. Chances are that when you reach the REM stage of sleep your jaw will relax even with a full face and cause the bottom lip to slide just below it and cause leaks that increase the amount of air that is blowing and cause you to have snoring events and the main symptom dry mouth.

CPAP1011 wrote:You will be surprised how having a Chin Strap with a Full face could be more affective. I have heard That the Brett Farve Chinstrap made by Res Med is the best. Since the cushion is only designed to go just below your bottom lip. Chances are that when you reach the REM stage of sleep your jaw will relax even with a full face and cause the bottom lip to slide just below it and cause leaks that increase the amount of air that is blowing and cause you to have snoring events and the main symptom dry mouth.

While I appreciate the suggestion, I'm sorta burned out on chinstraps and the very reason I was switched to a FFM but I'll keep it into consideration if all else fails.

I know having another harness to deal with can be a headache. Finding the right one is key. Res Med has the smallest Chin strap and utilized with a Full Face like the Quatro Fx can really help reduce leaks and eliminate the VS=snoring that is happening towards the latter part of the night when all our sweat and oils from our skin usually start to break the seal on the mask. This is why i could not deal with a Full Face. It seemed to fit well at first but I would wake up around 3 and notice it was making fart like noises. Also look into RemZZZ's, its a new accessory that is like a under shirt for your mask.

If you are referring to the Sullivan chin strap, yes it is minimal; but I had to alter it to work on my slippery hair.
I marked where the top of my ears are even with the strap, and split the strap ends down to about an inch above my ears.
I then fasten the new "front strap" and "back strap" so that they are on either side of the pointy part of my head.
This (altered) minimal chin strap is much more stable, and will stay in place all night.
It is sad that Resmed has no idea how the human head is shaped. . .

CPAP1011 wrote:...........the Brett Farve Chinstrap made by Res Med is the best......

I couldn't find "Brett Farve" but do you mean this one? ---> https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... hleak.html