Troble with Mask

[sleepwiggler]

It has been a while since I posted. The therapy has been ok until recently.

Currently I use an airfit F10 and have had great success with it for almost a year but in the past few months not so much. The mask is not fitting like it should or use to. My pressure fluctates between 22 and 25 and I have to keep the mask really tight or it make all kinds of noises and leak like crazy. Recently I have had trouble keeping the mask tight and sealed. I have switched heargear out and cousihons, no joy.
I decided to try the Mirage Quartto and the first week were great as for leaks but now it leaks like crazy and I have changed nothing. I cannot tighten or loosen the mask anymore. Any looser on both and I do not get a seal any tighter and I will squeeze my head off . Any suggestions? I am tired of not sleeping and fooling with mask all night.

Another side note that I found weird on the nights I have little to no leak my AHI shoots up, my normal is below 1. I know 5 or below is treated but when I hit anything above a 1 I feel like crap within an hour or so of waking.

[LSAT]

.Go to http://www.padacheek.com and find a mask liner.

[sleepwiggler]

Thanks. I have a mask liner from another company that I tried last night and the mask was more comfortable but the night was horrible. I had to keep adjusting the mask because of leaks. The only way I knew it was leaking was my machine would cut off (I have the auto on and off selected). I had a wonderful red face on the machine this morning as well. THe only upsice besides the mask being comfortable is that my head is not hurting from the tightness of the mask (just my normal headache).
I just cannot continue to have the mask that tight plus I know that is not how it should be.

Is there a big size difference in the medium and large Airfit F10? I am currently using a large and I love the F10 and hate to try and find another mask, cannot do nasal anymore because of mouth breathing and when not mouth breathing my lips vibrate and make boat sounds (really don't like the idea of taping). Plus I am having issues with chronic/consistent stuffiness so the FFM works better.

Thanks

[Julie]

You're asking another member here about the relative diff. in sizes of a particular mask... one he may not even have tried. I think it's your turn to do some work(?) and try it on yourself, or order it from e.g. Cpap.com (only a small charge to do that for almost a month) and see how it fits. Along with other masks to give yourself more info. How any one mask fits any one individual is very subjective and in the end you have to do the trying on yourself.

I would not assume, btw, that how liners from Padacheek.com work for you will be the same as how liners from another mfgr. fit.

[sleepwiggler]

I understand what I am asking and I do not mind doing the work and trying. However, I thought that some one else may have encountered the same issue. I also understand that not all mask work for everyone as this is not a one size fits all.

[LSAT]

Have you viewed any of these fitting videos?

https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/v ... k&fr=yfp-t

[sleepwiggler]

LSat I have reviewed the videos but will do so again just incase I am missing something. Since I just tried the mask liner again last night I will give it a couple nights and try to get the adjustment just right. If that does not work I will look into a new mask or different size.

Thanks.

[ChicagoGranny]

leak

Here is some basic advice:

To reduce unintentional mask leak -

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly. (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- If you use a low ramp pressure or a low minimum pressure, you should fit and adjust your mask at the higher pressures it is operating at for most of the night. You would temporarily change the machine pressure settings while you do the fitting and adjusting. It's best to do this well before bedtime before you are tired and ready for sleep. Don't forget to change your settings back to the ones you prefer.

- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask. Notice how your hose is positioned between machine and mask. It should be positioned to minimize any pull on the mask. Hose management is an individual practice. How it is done depends on the mask, the position of the machine, your sleeping position and other factors specific to the individual.

- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.

- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

Note: Links to just some of the mask manufacturers' instructional videos can be found on the forum host's website - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php and https://www.youtube.com/

- CG