Quattro FF Newbie - THANK YOU!

[DaMa]

I was recently diagnosed with OSA and started sleeping in the mask on 8/5. Thanks to all of you, last night was my third leak free night in a row. For the first 3.5 weeks, I would start off each night ok, but would wake up 1-2 hours later leaking everywhere. After a couple of tries to "refit" the mask, I would give up and take it off. I tried it loose, tight, with RemZzzzs, etc. with no luck. After reading, reading, reading the posts here, I got it to work.

1. Turned off the ramp -- fitting the mask at the lower level meant it would blow out at the higher lever. I didn't have any trouble falling asleep at the higher level.
2. Put the mask on with loose straps.
3. Tighten top straps until snug, but not tight.
4. Nose bridge all the way out.
5. Turn on the air.
6. Layed down on my back.
7. Fit the bottom straps so leaking was only around the eyes.
8. Tighten the nose bridge until leaks stop.
9. Lay on my right side (usually where I sleep), head at edge of pillow so as not to push on the mask. Tighten the left strap enough to stop side leak.
10 Turn to my left side, and repeat.

Sleep for 5.5 hours the first night, 8 hours the 2nd night, and 9.5 hours the third night. HALLELUJAH! I probably would have slept longer the first night, but woke up to rain out. Played with the hose and turned down the humidity and no more rain out. Everything I tried I got from cpaptalk. My DME didn't tell me anything...just sent the RemZzzs -- which I don't need.

So thanks to the posters here! I'm not exhausted all day everyday.

[Muse-Inc]

Congrats on getting some good sleep!

[DaMa]

One thing I forgot to mention...

I have the mask on pretty tight. It's leaving lines in my face and forehead. But I can live with face lines for a good night's sleep.

[Muse-Inc]

You can pad much of the mask to reduce or eliminate the marks. Check out PADACHEEK.

[Rustyolddude]

One thing to keep in mind, the top straps basically just hold the forehead brace to your forehead so you can loosen them a good bit once you find the sweet spot for the bridge adjustment. Once they are fine tuned, you should rarely have to readjust them. Bottom straps might have to be tweaked a few times as the headgear stretches & wears.