Colonel_CPAP wrote:DreamStalker wrote:Yes, all your other numbers are meaningless with that leak profile.
STEP 1 - take care of leaks first, anything else you do will only send back to square 1, do not pass go, go directly to apnea, blaa blaa blaa.
Alright Dream help me out here bud. Like I mentioned I'm waiting on the DME to call me and let me know my Ultra Mirage FFM has came in and then I will be going to talk with a respo therapist to help fit the mask. What if anything should I tell them. I want the best treatment possible and I want the leaks pretty much eliminated. Should I show them the reports. I guess what I'm I'm asking is what would you do it solve this leak issue other than throwing the cpap out the window...
Ok, a little esplanation assuming you are not willing to try nasal type mask interfaces -
Full face masks are the hardest to fit because you have more facial real estate that needs to keep a seal. However, if you mouth leak and you don't want to tape or glue your lips together for use with a nasal cushion or nasal pillow mask interface, then you just have to keep trying.
Trying means:
1)Check all the mask headgear adjustments. Basically you don't want the lower back strap to fit on the back of your neck because this creates variable tension on that lower strap every time you move your head (ie. your skull pivots off your neck so you can't use your neck to stabilize the mask). That lower rear strap should fit just below the back of that rounded part of your skull. That way when your head turns or tilts up and down the whole headgear moves with your head.
2)Keep in mind that the lower strap will also place tension on your lower jaw pulling it back into your throat ... not good ... that makes OSA worse. So don't over tighten that lower strap.
3)Make sure the mask itself is the right size, not too big and not too small. The bottom of the mask cushion should fit right on the indentation part of the front of your chin below your lip and the top of the mask cushion should fit right in the indentation where your nose bridge comes off your forehead. The cushion should not leak into your eyes or around your mouth or anywhere else other than the designed CO2 vent ports. Some folks use mole skin or small strips of felt or silicone gel from earplugs to plug up leaks where the mask doesn't fit the contours of your face.
4)You need to consider trying all of the FF masks. That may be expensive if you buy all new out-of-pocket. So consider trying used ... either through the mask trades on this forum or the
http://www.cpapauction.com where you can get used or new at less than commercial prices.
5)There are also a couple of masks that are combo type nasal pillow and oral cushions such as the Liberty and Hybrid.
The mask is the hardest part of this treatment. Get past that hurdle and you are pretty much on easy street. Keep in mind that when you ask “which mask should I try?” ... you are going to get a different answer for each mask because everyone has a different size and shape of head and facial features so you just gotta try and find what works for YOU and not what works for another member. Now for tweaking and modifying mask and headgear ... that's when other people's suggestions become much more useful to you.
Be patient and hang in there cuz yes it can be frustrating when you are all tired and ready to give up. I hope you find the right mask sooner rather than later. Keep visiting this forum and asking questions and you will persevere. Make the decision to take control of of your own treatment and use the docs and other sleep health pros as support because if you let them manage your treatment you are likely to fail or at least prolong your success a lot longer than if you just take control from the start. Think of it as a condition like diabetes ... you monitor and adjust the treatment accordingly.
Good luck!
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