Wow--My FFM seals better when not washed daily!

[6PtStar]

Jerry,

I think your machine is BROKE! I've never seen leak lines that flat for ALL of the night.


Den

Darn, I did wonder about that. Sure did bring a smile to my face. Guess I will see what it says tomorrow.

Jerry

[carbonman]

I've never seen leak lines that flat for ALL of the night.
Den

I know my machine is not broke.

[Spirit]

Was to embarrassed to share, mask sealed better left unwashed, but now since someone else posted, don't feel alone. At first I was washing my mask daily, over time due to fatigue, I got lazy and stop cleaning. Noticed my leak rate decreasing, so I started to wash my mask every 2 weeks. My leak line on graph is nearly flatlined, lot's of 0.00 leak rates. It's working for me

[plr66]

Was to embarrassed to share, mask sealed better left unwashed, but now since someone else posted, don't feel alone. At first I was washing my mask daily, over time due to fatigue, I got lazy and stop cleaning. Noticed my leak rate decreasing, so I started to wash my mask every 2 weeks. My leak line on graph is nearly flatlined, lot's of 0.00 leak rates. It's working for me

Yay!--Let's hear it again for lousy hygiene habits and relief from OCD cleaning rituals!!

[DoriC]

Well, usually my husband's leak rate is around 43-45, s/b 40-41. Last night no washy, LR=40 lpm! Just saying!
Carbonman, don't want to get picky, but I do see one or two tiny blips on your leak line!

[Mary Z]

I have to say I'm going to try not washing every day, too. I have a lot of trouble with leaks, I sure hope this helps.

Mary Z.

[Mary Z]

After considering this advice- to skip daily washing I have decided that with my skin problems that might not be a good idea.

Mary Z.

[grady61]

become one...with the funk

[Watts]

It's been working for me too. I too have been too embarrassed to admit that not washing my FFM helps it seal better. I still don't get perfect leak lines, however, but I have a beard that I haven't been willing to part with. But my AHI has steadily come down since I've been on therapy. I've been concentrating on that and how I've been feeling more than worrying about a perfect leak line.

[plr66]

After considering this advice- to skip daily washing I have decided that with my skin problems that might not be a good idea.

Mary Z.

Mary, at nearly retirement age, my face can still break out at times for other reasons. But I do wash my face every night a few hours before bedtime, and I have had no problem whatever from not washing the mask cushion....for 3 weeks now! In the interest of full disclosure, I'll be sure to let the many thousands on this forum know if or when the first zit arrives. We are after all a sharing community!

[TSSleepy]

I never wash my face before bed. And I only wash my full-face-mask cushion every several weeks.

When I first started treatment a year ago, I washed my face and cushion often. But I found that the silicone cushion stuck to my face and wrinkled. Now it sort of "slides" around my face without bunching up.

I guess one might think it's gross to have face oils on the cushion...but they came from MY face and they are MY oils, so it doesn't bother me a bit.

[nursedeborah]

Bear with me I am a newbie, but what is a FFM? I know it's about the mask, but just what does it stand for/
i can find that page that tells all the lingo aroung here?

Debbie

[plr66]

Bear with me I am a newbie, but what is a FFM? I know it's about the mask, but just what does it stand for/
i can find that page that tells all the lingo aroung here?

Debbie

Full Face Mask. No apology necessary for asking a question here!

[JohnBFisher]

... Bear with me I am a newbie, but what is a FFM? I know it's about the mask, but just what does it stand for ...Debbie

I'll tell you if you promise not to smack your forhead!

FFM stands for Full Face Mask.

Obvious once you see it. But TRUST ME, we ALL understand. Not asking is wrong. No one will give you grief if you ask a question.

And there's a Wiki (the light bulb above). Hope that helps.

[melissa1974]

I found this thread late last night, literally about two minutes before I was going to go wash my face and get ready to mask up. I had already cleaned my mask, as I typically do it first thing in the morning after taking my mask off. However, after reading the thread, I took the daring step of just "rinsing" my face with water and drying off, rather than scrubbing it squeaky clean, as I have been doing every night since I started xpap therapy. Guess what?? I had a great night, with a leak rate of 0.02L/s AND my hose disconnected from my mask in the middle of the night and it took me a few minutes to re-connect it. I thought for sure that would blow my leak rate way out of control, but I must have had such a great seal from my oily, dirty face, that it compensated!!!!

I am a believer in the funk!!!