Ultra Mirage FF Question

[kikisue]

I'm using an Ultra Mirage FF Mask, and for the most part I like it, now that I'm mostly getting it to seal. However, the last 2 nights I've noticed air coming from the elbow area - I know it has an exhaust vent further up on the mask, but I don't remember air coming from the elbow area before. It wakes me up, making noise when my sheet or arm goes in front of it, and I definitely don't remember that. Everything seems to be connected properly - so just curious if that's normal? Or is there something wrong that I need to look into?

I still have trouble with leaks at my eye area - have loosened straps, etc. and actually use a chinstrap across my face to hold it in the right spot - but still have trouble with eye leakage. Any ideas?

I can't afford any more masks for awhile - insurance only buys one every 6 months. My original mask is a Breeze, which I really like for lightness and side sleeping. I used it last night, when the FF got to me. However, my nostrils are SUPER sore today - I can generally only wear it a night or two, even with Ayr gel and the largest pillows that fit. So, it's apparently just not a great mask for me. I'm thinking of getting a straight nasal mask at some point - but again, have to wait at least a couple months yet, so trying to make the Ultra Mirage work well for me.

Thanks in advance - y'all are the greatest!

Karen

[Wulfman]

Karen,

No....that's not "normal" for air to be leaking around the elbow. Have you had it apart lately? I remember a discussion on the forum "way back when" about this subject. I think the person who had the problem had taken it apart to clean it and there was something that wasn't "seated" properly. I'm trying to "visualize" mine......I believe there's a plastic ring on the inside of the mask that holds the elbow to the mask. Check that to make sure it's where it should be and/or if that's where the leak is.
I've never had that problem and I've never taken mine apart.

Best wishes,

Den

[Wulfman]

Karen,

Forgot about the leakage question you had.
It almost sounds like the mask might be a little too big.....however, I do get a little leakage there occasionally.....but my eyes are usually shut.
With mine, I leave the upper strap quite loose and use the lower strap for most of the tension. I try to pull the bottom strap as far down the back of my neck as is comfortable and that pulls the mask downward and tends to tighten the seal around the upper part of the nose.

Don't know if that helps or not......

Den

[tater pie]

For the leaks around the eyes, try adjustijng the little tilt device that's up at the top of the mask. I tilt mine almost all of the way back. I just have one more notch left to tilt back but if I tilt it all of the way back towards my eyes, the bottom of the mask leaks really, really bad. And no, it shouldn't leak around the elbow. The first Ultra Mirage that I got did that also and I took it back to my DME and he told me that there was a whole shipment of masks that had that defect so he took mine back and ordered me another one and it doesn't leak so you might want to get in contact with the person who sold it to you. It really shouldn't leak around the elbow joint at all.

[kikisue]

Thanks, tater pie & Wulfman.

I'll check the mask when I get home tonight - I changed from a standard to a shallow cushion to see if that worked better, and maybe I knocked something loose in the process.

tater, I have played with the forehead adjustment, and I've got it in the best spot for leaks vs. sore bridge of my nose, I think - but I'll play with it some more.

Wulfman, I'll try your strap adjustment trick tonight - thanks!

I know it just takes time to figure it all out - thanks for the helpful hints!

Karen

[SnoreNoMore2005]

kiki I think i know what your leak around the elbow problem is: You're supposed to wear the FF mask over your nose and mouth... not your elbow... no wonder it's leaking air!!!! j/k

You didn't say what pressure you're running. FF masks are not too good for high pressure because of leaks. I hope you have a good reason for needing a FF mask instead of a nasal mask which is much lighter, more comfortable, and will leak less.

One thing I tried when I used to wear a FF mask (I was convinced I was a mouth breather until someone told me to just shut my yap and keep it shut when I was sleeping). You could try washing your face good before you go to bed. The oils from your face promote leaks around you mask. You could also try shaving unless you're a girl and don't need to shave. But even if you're a girl, the face oil problem will help some.

Good luck to you
SnoreNoMore2005

[kikisue]

Thanks, SnoreNoMore - used the mask on my face last night - hahaha!

Seriously, I do wash my face every night just before bed, to help with the seal. That has improved things, but not perfect yet.

Last night, I did switch back to the standard vs. shallow cushion and had less leakage - but I'm back to the red/sore bridge of my nose. So, I guess it's either comfort for my nose or no leaks! I'll fiddle with the straps some more tonight, in the hopes of loosening enough to keep my nose comfortable without leaks.

The reason for the FF mask - I mouth breath and have tried taping, as the chinstrap did not work at all. I really dislike taping every night, plus my Breeze really hurts my nose, even with Ayr gel slathered on. I really like the freedom of breathing however I want with the FF mask, so I'll just keep tweaking for now. By the way, my pressure is 10 - middle of the road pressure, I think. I am thinking of getting a nasal mask as my next purchase, to see if that works better for me than the Breeze - but will have to wait a month or two, until after holiday bills are paid off!

As to my leaking elbow, I took apart and reput together the valve assembly - it's leaking at the point where it goes into the mask face. It's still leaking - my guess is the membrane is damaged in some way - so, will be getting a new valve assembly and hopefully that will fix it.

Thanks again, everyone for the pointers and encouragement!

Karen

[tater pie]

Also, one thing you might consider is the pillow you use. Target has a pillow called the "shapeable" pillow which works really great and doesn't cause a lot of movement on the mask when you lie down. It's realatively inexpensive too (about $16 or $17). A number of people use an actual "pap pillow" and order it online. It is expensive (to me anyway) but almost everyone I've seen on this message board that has ordered one loves it and believes it is well worth the cost. It's just an idea. I'm sure you've already discovered that what works for one person, doesn't work at all for the next so you just have to experiment.

[carolt1964]

Hi,

I too have the problem with a leaking elbow, but mine is about a year and a half old. No insurance anymore. After awhile, the bottom of the elbow and the attachment hooked to the top of the hose starts to pop off a lot. My point is, if it's too old, it's time for a new one. I have to buy one for cash unfortunately.

I have super oily skin and I find it a lot of help to clean both my face and the cushion with a baby wipe before I go to bed. I wouldn't use the moisturizing wipes though. Cheap ones work well.

Does anyone have a problem with the Ultra Mirage straps being too large for their head size? The top part of it is on the top of my head.

[Prostitech]

[quote="carolt1964"]Hi,

I too have the problem with a leaking elbow, but mine is about a year and a half old. No insurance anymore. After awhile, the bottom of the elbow and the attachment hooked to the top of the hose starts to pop off a lot. My point is, if it's too old, it's time for a new one. I have to buy one for cash unfortunately.

I have super oily skin and I find it a lot of help to clean both my face and the cushion with a baby wipe before I go to bed. I wouldn't use the moisturizing wipes though. Cheap ones work well.

Does anyone have a problem with the Ultra Mirage straps being too large for their head size? The top part of it is on the top of my head.

[kikisue]

Why didn't I think of baby wipes?? What a simple way to clean the mask - thanks so much for the suggestion! I'll be stopping at Walgreen's tonight for sure!

My mask is only about a month old, so it shouldn't be broken already. However, I have thrown it in frustration a couple times so.....

carolt1964 - You can get just the elbow assembly for $39.99 on cpap.com, so if the rest of your mask is okay, that's cheaper than buying the whole thing. You may be in need of a whole new one, but thought I'd mention it in case that will work for you.

tater pie - thanks for the suggestion re: the pillow. My current one is a neck support pillow for side sleepers, and I really like it. I may need to look at the shapeable pillow though, just to see if that's easier to use with the mask. I've researched the papillow too, and it's too rich for my budget for now anyway.

Thanks again all - Merry Christmas!
Karen

[carolt1964]

Hello All,

Prostitech: The med supply store guy told me to never use anything antibacterial, scented, or with alcohol on the mask - it breaks it down faster. If you use cheap, unscented baby wipes (store brand), they strip the oil like crazy. The posh kind do spread the oil around like you mentioned. I get mine from Dollar General, their brand. Walmart's work great also. Rite Aid and Walgreens are OK, not great. Pampers, Huggies, etc. are also not good.

Kikisue: I just broke down and bought the whole mask. The "cushion" in the cushion is shot. See the note above regarding the baby wipes.

Taterpie: I'll have to give the pillow a try. Right now, I just smash my face into the pillow to seal the mask leaks.

[Prostitech]

[quote="carolt1964"]Hello All,

Prostitech: The med supply store guy told me to never use anything antibacterial, scented, or with alcohol on the mask - it breaks it down faster. If you use cheap, unscented baby wipes (store brand), they strip the oil like crazy. The posh kind do spread the oil around like you mentioned. I get mine from Dollar General, their brand. Walmart's work great also. Rite Aid and Walgreens are OK, not great. Pampers, Huggies, etc. are also not good.

Kikisue: I just broke down and bought the whole mask. The "cushion" in the cushion is shot. See the note above regarding the baby wipes.

Taterpie: I'll have to give the pillow a try. Right now, I just smash my face into the pillow to seal the mask leaks.

[SnoreNoMore2005]

Are you all talking about using baby wipes to clean your masks or to clean your faces?

Thanks

SnoreNoMore2005

[Perry]

There are two common problems with the elbow assemblies on the ResMed FF mask. Both are easily fixable.

Problem 1: You may not have the hose disconnect/swivel properly connected (or it may have partially unclipped). Unclip it - and reclip it (make sure it goes in all the way).

Problem 2: One of the retaining clips for the emergency exhale valve may have come unclipped. You will need to remove the elbow assembly from the mask and reclip this. If it happens again - then you need to cut some small pieces of plastic that fit behind the exhale valve clip tabs so that they can not press in and unclip (approximately 1/4" x 3/8"). I have cut up a "freebie" plastic ruler into small pieces for this. Reassembly of the elbow assembly will lock in those small pieces of plastic.

I suspect that either - or both - of these solutions will solve things forever (except that you may need to redo the hose connection/swivel connection every now and then).

I suggest that you wash all parts (warm soapy water) and sterilize with vinegar solution (1 part vinegar / 3 parts water) your elbow assembly (and the new plastic blocker tabs if needed) while apart.

As far as cleaning the mask. Interesting comments.

I have used alcohol pads every day for over 6 years to clean my ResMed silicon cushions every morning. I currently average 9 - 12 months life per cushion. I am not sure why anyone would think that alcohol degrades the cushion.

My routine is to clean my face with a clarifying cleansing cream (guys talk to your gal if you don't know what this is - but note that their are different ones depending on your skin type); and then to help the mask seal on my face I use a light moisturizing cream on my face (helps the cushion stick and stops leaks: especially useful at my higher pressures of 16-20 APAP). You have to be careful on which products you use as many of them will affect the silicone cushion. I found that the Artistry Clarifying Foaming Cleanser and Delicate Care Calming Moisturiser does not seem to affect the silicone cushion (note that those also work for my skin type as well).

In the morning I dry the mask and cushion out with plain tissue paper (I use maximum humidity and live in rainout...), whip down the cushion with two alcohol pads - the expensive ones with lots of alcohol (drying after each pad), then let my APAP run at idle with everything connected to dry out the humidifier, hose, and mask (sometimes I forget to turn it off and it idles all day).

I typically only dismantle the mask and wash & sterilize it, and the hose, every 3-4 months unless something unusual happens (although I have on occasion let things slip to 6 months).

Perry