Whiny newbie here needs help w/leaks!

BigOrangeAsh · Post by **BigOrangeAsh** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:36 am

Hi everybody - I've read some great advice on some "home remedies" for leaks - moleskin, Mack's earplugs, taping the elbow of my Quattro, etc. I think I'm missing a step, because I've tried all of these, and they aren't working. My biggest problem is that I have a super narrow nose, deep set eyes, and I have to crank my mask super tight to stop the leaks around my eyes (super sexy red nose & forehead indentions in the morning). The obvious reason would be that my mask doesn't fit correctly, but I have an XS. Where on the mask exactly do you use the Mack's or moleskin? The first night I put them on the outer seal, which obviously didn't work, but the next night I moved it to the inner seal, and that didn't work either. I've tried a loose mask, a tight mask, a loose top/tight bottom, vice versa, NOTHING works! Help!!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:42 am

Have you done the "Teflon tape fix" to the ends of the elbow in the front of the mask? Until you do, it'll feel like it's leaking EVERYWHERE. When properly sized and adjusted, that mask SHOULD seal pretty well.

Den

BigOrangeAsh · Post by **BigOrangeAsh** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 8:54 am

I did try that, but I probably messed that up, too. I'll try again. I thought I was a pretty smart girl until I started this CPAP stuff Thanks for the tips!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:42 am

BigOrangeAsh wrote:I did try that, but I probably messed that up, too. I'll try again. I thought I was a pretty smart girl until I started this CPAP stuff Thanks for the tips!

OK. The other adjustments I make on my Quattro is to set the forehead support to its most vertical position (no angle) and then leave the upper straps very loose. Any tension is on the lower straps......and it seems that wearing the mask fairly loose allows the seals to inflate to make a better seal. May take several nights to tweak the tension just right.

"Size is important".
Getting the correct size is fairly critical with this mask.

Den

BigOrangeAsh · Post by **BigOrangeAsh** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:47 am

Is the headrest adjustable? What do you mean by no angle? I think I had read your advice to someone else about leaving the top straps loose and tried it, but I didn't adjust the headrest. Am I missing something?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:59 am

BigOrangeAsh wrote:Is the headrest adjustable? What do you mean by no angle? I think I had read your advice to someone else about leaving the top straps loose and tried it, but I didn't adjust the headrest. Am I missing something?

The knob in front of the forehead support turns so that a person can adjust the angle of the main part of the mask/seal. I THINK (I don't have mine handy) if you turn the knob all the way to the RIGHT, it is in its most vertical position. Conversely, if you turn it the other way, it would have the effect of pulling the upper part of the seal away from the nose area.
I wear mine with no angle.......and with the top straps loose, which allows the seal at the upper part of the nose to inflate and seal against the upper part of the nose bridge.

Den

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:01 am

I found a picture of the adjustment knob here:

https://www.cpap.com/viewImage.php?PNum ... sk-Top.jpg

Den

BigOrangeAsh · Post by **BigOrangeAsh** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 10:04 am

Gotcha. I've played around with that a lot, but never thought of it as changing the angle, just smooshing my face . I took the ramp off my machine this morning so I can try adjusting my mask at full pressure to start with tonight. Thanks for all your help!

JoanieC · Post by **JoanieC** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:05 am

I need some help with my mask. I have that nice red mark on the bridge of my nose. I think I am mouth breathing because of the position of my body in the morning, face down. The mask seems so tight in the morning. I tried to loosen it up but I just can't get the fit right. I have the child size mask now because the other one seemed so big.

Can anyone please give me detailed instructions on putting it on and where to put that moleskin?

Thanks!
Sleepless in Miami

birdshell · Post by **birdshell** » Sat Jul 26, 2008 10:20 am

Well, it will be hard for anyone to help you with your specific mask until you go to the "Profile" button way at the top of the page and fill in your equipment.

Meanwhile, you may wish to look up moleskin (sold in the Dr Scholl's foot aids section of the store) on the forum using the search button.

Here is one of the many threads I found that way:
viewtopic.php?t=33159&highlight=moleskin

The word, "moleskin" will be in gold due to the highlighting of my search word. But, that is just one post; others, if you search, are available.

Cheers,

Karen

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