Quattro Mask: Anyone else having seal problems (brand new se

[Janknitz]

I'm a newbie and still on my home titration study, but the Quattro was working well for me for a few days and then it stopped working. Leak city. I can't get it adjusted at the beginning of the night most nights, and if I do somehow manage that, the slightest move sets it off. When my pressures go up in the middle of the night it's a lost cause all together. I tried to soldier on one night with it leaking into both eyes, and in the morning I had watery eyes and I couldn't even see at first. AAARRRGGGHHH!

I've tried washing it, taking it apart and putting it back together, reseating, readjusting, etc., all to no avail. Made me want to throw the darn thing out the window!

Since I've only had it a few weeks, I know it's not the straps loosening up.

It's good to know, at least, that I'm not the only one.

[dsm]

I'm a newbie and still on my home titration study, but the Quattro was working well for me for a few days and then it stopped working. Leak city. I can't get it adjusted at the beginning of the night most nights, and if I do somehow manage that, the slightest move sets it off. When my pressures go up in the middle of the night it's a lost cause all together. I tried to soldier on one night with it leaking into both eyes, and in the morning I had watery eyes and I couldn't even see at first. AAARRRGGGHHH!

I've tried washing it, taking it apart and putting it back together, reseating, readjusting, etc., all to no avail. Made me want to throw the darn thing out the window!

Since I've only had it a few weeks, I know it's not the straps loosening up.

It's good to know, at least, that I'm not the only one.

Janknitz

Some people have suggested several times that getting a quattro 1 size smaller than normal (i.e. if you have std, try a small) and that this seems to work.

I am back on the quattro but am delighted to have found I can use the Ultra Mirage F/F masks again.

Good luck

DSM

[goose]

Wow!!! How timely!!!!
I'm going to DME tomorrow (tues) to get fitted for a Quattro -- I need a FF mask for allergy season and the HC431 is junk!!!

BUT!!!!!!!

I've been having leak issues around 4-5am with my Activa LT for about the past 3-4 weeks.....after reading this last night, I changed the headgear back to the old Activa that I had previously......Viola!!!!! The mask didn't leak.
The LT's headgear is pretty cheezy and I've only had it for 3-4 months, so it stretched and became useless quickly. I've tried re-adjusting with the velcro to no avail. The stretch just wasn't/isn't there...

Yay!!! Thanks DSM et.al......
cheers
goose

[ycartf]

When I first got on the hose in September 2006, I was issued an UMFFM and I thought it was the cat's meow. Then I tried the Quattro about 15 months ago, and have been using it ever since (UMFFM backup now). While I will agree that I like the cushion setup on the UMFFM better, what with the complete double layer of cushions, the Quattro works better for me due to the frame being narrower on the forehead. Even though it is not much smaller, it seems to help me eliminate the leaks that I would get from the larger forehead support of the UMFFM impacting the pillow (rigorous side-sleeper - wear a fanny pack with 6 tennis balls to keep from back-sleeping).

I am using the original Quattro that I started on 15 months ago, and it seems to work better now than when I first got it. I only use 11cm/H2O pressure, so I have not had to really stretch/tighten the straps/headgear a lot. I clean my face with a cotton ball and witch hazel nightly, leaving a moist film of it on, and it seems to get my face clean and yet also a bit "tacky." I take my cushion/clip off every day and wash it by hand in warm water with homemade soap that I make (glycerine-rich). It gets the facial oils off without drying the silicone out like when I used to wash it with Dawn, and leaves the cushion "just right" for making a good seal - not too dry - not too slick - but "just right." I love my Quattro, and received a second one in the mail today from a fellow forum member that I swapped with. I plan on using the new one here at home and taking the older one to work for my nights there, while taking the headgear with me from place to place so that I maintain the same seal/fit/tightness each night.

Happy sleeping

Tracy

[nghy]

I have switched back and forth between ResMed's Quatro and Ultra Mirage masks. My current preference is a Small Shallow UMFF. Smaller seems to be better at high pressures. Also,I use the PAPcap chin strap to keep my mouth closed and my cheeks from puffing out. I use the REMZzzs cloth mask liners to help the mask seals.

I like the REMZzzs very much. The cloth liners seem to leak soome small amount of air naturally through the weave, but at the same time the liner whisks away any moisture and oils that break the seal with "burps" and vibrations." A five o'clock shadow (beard growth) is the best anchor. I find the liners also add to my comfort. They have a clean soft feel.

I have tried many other FF masks including the Fisher Paykel masks with the foam supports and the sliding fixtures that allow the mask to move laterally while the head gear remains in place. I could never get a good seal with these. Also tried the Mojo gel cushion FF mask that can be shaped to ones face.

The UMFF mask still provides me with the best but not perfect record for the least Large air leaks.

Aaron

[dsm]

Just wanted to add that my joy with a brand new strap just didn't last. In the end I solved the problem of leaks (almost completely gone now) after Karen from pad-a-cheek sent me a leak-proof strap to try with my Quattro F/F mask (it also applies to the Ultra Mirage F/F mask).

see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51543

When I 1st saw the leak-proof strap I was very doubtful it would make any difference but once I started using it the results were a new milestone in my mask leak control tactics.

Did the above review that includes sample leak data from a several weeks. That was quite a few weeks back now & that pad-a-cheek strap is working as well today as it did a months ago when I 1st tried it.

Cheers

DSM

[nghy]

Just wanted to add that my joy with a brand new strap just didn't last. In the end I solved the problem of leaks (almost completely gone now) after Karen from pad-a-cheek sent me a leak-proof strap to try with my Quattro F/F mask (it also applies to the Ultra Mirage F/F mask).

see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51543

When I 1st saw the leak-proof strap I was very doubtful it would make any difference but once I started using it the results were a new milestone in my mask leak control tactics.

Did the above review that includes sample leak data from a several weeks. That was quite a few weeks back now & that pad-a-cheek strap is working as well today as it did a months ago when I 1st tried it.

Cheers

DSM

On your say-so, I ordered one.
Aaron

[Rustyolddude]

For a while I was having a fight with my Quattro as well. I think I've got it worked out. First, the headgear had stretched, so I tightened it a bit. I had put a mark on the Velcro tabs so when I washed it, I could get it back in the exact same place so I had a reference point to work from.

Next, I've gone to adjusting it after I lay down but before I connect the hose. I lift the mask and move it to let the bottom of the seal touch my bottom lip, then I move it down just a little. That seems to get it in the right spot to avoid the nose sore. Next I pull it away from my face and gently reset it, usually do this a few times. I think what this does is allow the outer seal to un-stick from the inner lips. (This is where I think some problems occur.) Then I attach the hose. If I get any leaks, it's usually in my eyes or at the corner of my mouth. I detach the hose and repeat the lift & position. When I've got it right, I can move the bridge to either side and my nose will touch the inside of the mask without leaking in my eyes, and I can lay on either side using a regular pillow without leaking. I've solved the nose blister too.

Sometimes I'll scrunch my eyes closed tight & then open them wide and this will help find the sweet spot on my brow, I lift the head piece and allow it to rest in a neutral position. All told it takes me 30 to 60 seconds to get all adjusted into position.

I'm guessing that the thin outer seal sticks to the inner support lips and results in a leak when pressure is applied because the thin seal can't expand/move/slip into position. I've been meaning, as an experiment, to take something like silicone (I've got a can of food grade spray) and apply a little with my finger to the inner lips so that the outer thin seal can slide/pop into position. Over tightening will also cause a lot of problems, the thin seal really needs to inflate properly to work.

[Gil]

I have had my Quattro leaking a lot lately and I have pulled the mask as tight as i can with out good results. Then i went to the learning center were they show how to fit the mask and they say to draw it snug not tight and I am now getting much better results. Hope this might help some one else.

[dsm]

Gil & Rusty

Any input on how we can better manage our masks is very helpful

Thanks

DSM

[nghy]

Just wanted to add that my joy with a brand new strap just didn't last. In the end I solved the problem of leaks (almost completely gone now) after Karen from pad-a-cheek sent me a leak-proof strap to try with my Quattro F/F mask (it also applies to the Ultra Mirage F/F mask).

see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=51543

When I 1st saw the leak-proof strap I was very doubtful it would make any difference but once I started using it the results were a new milestone in my mask leak control tactics.

Did the above review that includes sample leak data from a several weeks. That was quite a few weeks back now & that pad-a-cheek strap is working as well today as it did a months ago when I 1st tried it.

Cheers

DSM

On your say-so, I ordered one.
Aaron

Just recieced the Padacheek stabilizer. It seems to add more control so I rely less on the elastic headgear being so tight. I seem to need a longer strap than the standard even though I am using the small UMFF mask.

Aaron

[dsm]

Aaron

Glad to see you too have discovered that that simple strap seems to stablise the mask.

Still working a treat for me.

Cheers

DSM

[Pad A Cheek]

An update for those of you who have purchased the PAD A CHEEK Quattro Anti-Leak strap. If your strap is too short for you, please let me know. I will be happy to send a longer one to you at no cost.
I need the order # and your name and address.
Sorry I didn't realize that some needed a few inches extra. I am happy to replace what you have.

Karen

[dsm]

An update for those of you who have purchased the PAD A CHEEK Quattro Anti-Leak strap. If your strap is too short for you, please let me know. I will be happy to send a longer one to you at no cost.
I need the order # and your name and address.
Sorry I didn't realize that some needed a few inches extra. I am happy to replace what you have.

Karen

Karen

From a few comments of others & having used the strap for a while now, I am pretty sure that the reason it works so well is that when one is sleeping side on to the pillow the strap being between the head & pillow tends to hold the mask in place whereas without that 'tether' the mask can easily be pushed enough by the pillow edges such that leaks open up.

Also, as a design improvement, I would suggest adding a pattern of reinforcing stitching around the hole that fits over the air tube. I see mine is beginning to stretch a bit & is becoming loose. Some reinforcing (such as stitching or an extra thickness or 2 of material) around the hole, would improve that part.

Cheers

DSM

[Pad A Cheek]

Thank you Doug,
I do stitch around the hole now on the strap. Hopefully I will get it just right for most everyone.

Karen