Ultra Mirage FF Leaks Off the scale

[always_tired]

My new sleep doctor took one look at my EncoreViewer reports and said I needed a new mask. The average 90% leak was around 74. I have an Ultra Mirage FF with medium shallow cushion. I can't figure out why the leaks are so bad. I have been using this model for over a year, changing cushions regularly. I have tried just about every FF mask on CPAP.com and always came back to the UMFF. I haven't changed weight either. If any air leaks on my face, it drives me crazy, so I tend to tighen the straps a bit. I can't stand a fan or AC blowing on my face either.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for another type of FF mask?

Thanks.

[mdintx]

So it's leaking alot but you're not sure how? I just got one of these in and in my brief experience with it, leaks are pretty obvious.

[always_tired]

It's more like I'm not sure where or when. Certainly it's not leaking when I go to sleep or I wouldn't be able to sleep. It seems to start a couple of hours after I go to sleep. Sometimes it starts leaking (large leak) about 2 hours after I go to sleep, then goes down to a reasonable number for a while, and then back up. If it gets bad enough, I will partially wake and take the mask off. Supposedly I had no problems with leaks in my last titration about 2 months ago. I liked the Liberty as an alternate until my pressure went so high. I also have a Hybrid but I haven't managed to conquer it yet. I'll have to find Rooster's (?) post on fitting it.

[tonycog]

I'm currently using the Quattro, but before that, I used the UMFF. I find the leak problems to be about the same for each.

Are you sleeping on your back when leaks occur? For me, I can not sleep on my back or either of these masks will leak right at the mid-point, on my cheek. It can be sealed beautifully while awake, but once I doze off and my facial muscles relax, the leaks begin if I'm on my back. I have found no way to stop them, while lying on my back. When I sleep on either side, I have almost no leak issues with either the Quattro or the UMFF.

Best wishes,
Tony

[Wulfman]

My new sleep doctor took one look at my EncoreViewer reports and said I needed a new mask. The average 90% leak was around 74. I have an Ultra Mirage FF with medium shallow cushion. I can't figure out why the leaks are so bad. I have been using this model for over a year, changing cushions regularly. I have tried just about every FF mask on CPAP.com and always came back to the UMFF. I haven't changed weight either. If any air leaks on my face, it drives me crazy, so I tend to tighen the straps a bit. I can't stand a fan or AC blowing on my face either.

Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions for another type of FF mask?

Thanks.

Excuse me for being cynical, but I'm amazed that he could tell that you needed a new mask by looking at a report. Maybe you need a smaller size (my first instinct) or need to loosen it up a bit (particularly the top straps). I've been using the same UMFF I started out with four years ago and it keeps sealing better with age.
Bed pillows can also make a huge difference in mask leakage, too.


Den

[DoriC]

I'm currently using the Quattro, but before that, I used the UMFF. I find the leak problems to be about the same for each.

Are you sleeping on your back when leaks occur? For me, I can not sleep on my back or either of these masks will leak right at the mid-point, on my cheek. It can be sealed beautifully while awake, but once I doze off and my facial muscles relax, the leaks begin if I'm on my back. I have found no way to stop them, while lying on my back. When I sleep on either side, I have almost no leak issues with either the Quattro or the UMFF.

Best wishes,
Tony

You're right, Tony. Since I'm in a position to observe my husband's sleep/leak patterns, it is true that when he turns on his back his UMFF starts to leak because his jaw drops open in that position and breaks the seal. He's really trying to sleep only on his sides but when his hip starts to hurt he tries to find a comfortable position which is sometimes his back.

[karessamom]

That's the mask i'm finally using and after some additional tweeking (after fitting from DME) over a couple of days time, i can finally say that I love this mask. My leak rates zilch! Have you tried refitting the mask? You might also have to adjust the top portion (there are 4 settings) The setting I came home with did not work for me and I had to reset it. The first night I used the mask it seemed pretty good then went downhill from then for the next 3 nights or so until I reset the top portion and readjusted the straps--they need to be kept fairly loose. Snug but not tight. when i had it to tight I hated the thing and literally was about to send it back. keep trying with it. I say this and also understand that what mask works for 1 person might not work for the next. you may have to try a few different ones. Good luck though.

[always_tired]

I try to stay on my side with pillows. I have tried the small UMFF but it hurt both my nose and around my lips.

[DoriC]

Karessa, just curious, on what setting do you have the forehead support?

[wlenz]

I used the Respironics comfort gel nasal mask for 18 months and was satisfied with it. However, my leak rate looked like a train wreck. I am a mouth breather and taped my mouth. That helped. I purchased the UMFF for one purpose, when I have allergy problems or a cold, I can not breathe through my nose. I switched to the UMFF about two months ago and was amazed how comfortable the mask was. I download my data every Sunday and was shocked at my leak rate. It was the lowest ever and almost a straight line. Read posts on masks, there are a lot of them. What works for one person is a disaster for another. I would suggest using the mask during the day while awake, shift positions, adjust the top piece that rests against your forehead, then experiment with the top and bottom straps. Some people have found improvement by wetting the surface that contacts your skin with a lanolin cream. This improves adhesion. No one ever said getting all the xpap problems solved would be easy. There are many members of this forum that have made discoveries that the experts never thought of. Search, experiment, try different masks. We all wish you success, and you will not find a better group of people to help you with suggestions.
Bill

[karessamom]

Karessa, just curious, on what setting do you have the forehead support?

FYI--just for your information--my real name is Lisa--karessa is my daughter thus karessamom --back to the question--I have my forehead thingy set at the #2 position. This seems to work the best for me and I have virtually no leaks. (2nd click position from the very top)

[always_tired]

I used the Respironics comfort gel nasal mask for 18 months and was satisfied with it. However, my leak rate looked like a train wreck. I am a mouth breather and taped my mouth. That helped. I purchased the UMFF for one purpose, when I have allergy problems or a cold, I can not breathe through my nose. I switched to the UMFF about two months ago and was amazed how comfortable the mask was. I download my data every Sunday and was shocked at my leak rate. It was the lowest ever and almost a straight line. Read posts on masks, there are a lot of them. What works for one person is a disaster for another. I would suggest using the mask during the day while awake, shift positions, adjust the top piece that rests against your forehead, then experiment with the top and bottom straps. Some people have found improvement by wetting the surface that contacts your skin with a lanolin cream. This improves adhesion. No one ever said getting all the xpap problems solved would be easy. There are many members of this forum that have made discoveries that the experts never thought of. Search, experiment, try different masks. We all wish you success, and you will not find a better group of people to help you with suggestions.
Bill

The aggravation is that I have had the UMFF for more than a year and never had these kind of problems before.

[DoriC]

I try to stay on my side with pillows. I have tried the small UMFF but it hurt both my nose and around my lips.

I'm wondering if you need a larger size. The bottom should come right into the cleft above your chin and if it's the right size and you have the forehead support and straps adjusted properly it should not hurt your nose or lips.

[always_tired]

I try to stay on my side with pillows. I have tried the small UMFF but it hurt both my nose and around my lips.

I'm wondering if you need a larger size. The bottom should come right into the cleft above your chin and if it's the right size and you have the forehead support and straps adjusted properly it should not hurt your nose or lips.

I normally use the medium shallow cushion. With the medium standard cushion I was given last year, I had lots of leaks.

[always_tired]

FYI.

I have the UMFF both in medium and small.
The Liberty both in large and small.
The Hybrid.
FlexFit 431.

I liked the Liberty until my pressure went up to 15. I have tried the Hybrid with the pantyhose trick, but I have to use the large and still find it rubs my chin. I can't take the nasal pillows for more than a couple of nights without making my nose sore.

With all these and I still can't get a comfortable fit with no leaks.

Has anyone tried something like denture cream? I have no idea what it would do to the skin much less the mask cushion.