Losing mask seal around 1:00 a.m.

[Suetois]

HoseCrusher, your post really makes sense to me. Thanks for joining the conversation. I fitted my current mask headgear by setting the pressure to max while I was lying down, so the fact that it works for a few hours and then quits working is confusing. Your experience with respirators could be what's going on here--especially since I'm using a full-face mask. I think things might be different with a nasal mask or or a nasal pillow mask.

RobySue, I've been thinking about getting an older PC just so I could monitor my CPAP therapy. Thanks for the information about what I should look for.

I am using APAP set to 8/14. My 90% pressure is consistently 13.9. In the sleep lab, they had to push the pressure up to 18 to control all the apneas--especially when I rolled over onto my back--but I couldn't make that work for me at all, so my sleep doc dropped the maximum pressure. A couple of months ago he suggested that I should go with BiPap, but I didn't want to do that until I solved the mask issues in case the mask was the real problem. I don't want to buy a second, more expensive, machine, only to discover that the mask was the solution. I'm considering taking his advice, though.

[Bons]

Is it possible that you are at the low end of the pressure setting and that the leaks start when you reach your max pressure? I get leaks when my bipap starts "chasing centrals" and the pressure goes way up, usually around three a.m.

[Muse-Inc]

I'm typically good for about 5-6 hrs before leaks begin...have decided it's face fatigue since I learned about it. When that happens, I get up, remove mask, and rub my face where the silicon touches, then move my lips around which stretches my face a bit, take a short walk around the house allowing my facial circulation to re-settle any fluids, then maskup again or even switch to a clean mask if the leaks recur. Seems to work so far.

I just bought a set of the silicon ear plugs for swimmers that I intend to try on one set of pillows-cushion combo that develop a high-pitched squealing leak when I reach my upper APAP pressure range. I intend to roll the stuff into a skinny roll and then wrap the recalcitrant parts to see if that will tame the leak. I found ti today at WalMart in the pharmacy...Macks sorta clear plugs. Macks makes kid-sized in a dayglo orange...I passed on 'em, had images of orange stained pillows & cushion

[Janknitz]

I've been having this problem since I've been using a FF mask lately. When it blows, nothing will get the seal back. The seal feels slimy from face oil and perspiration.

This has stopped since I began using a homemade mask liner (eagerly awaiting the Padacheek liner I ordered). Sometimes I get a tiny leak when the pressure goes up, but a quick cinch of velcro will fix that. I really think the issue is face oil/perspiration.

[Suetois]

Last night I and my husband upped the minimum pressure on my machine to 14, and I adjusted the velcro straps on the headset and the adjustment on the mask until nothing leaked anywhere, no matter how I moved my head. It worked. I slept through the night. And woke up with a red dent on the bridge of my nose again. Argh. This is why I had originally given up on this mask back in December--because after a few days, that red dent progressed to an open sore. However, the fact that I slept through the night means I feel great! So I've just ordered a mask liner from Pad-a-Cheek. We'll see if that will either prevent the redness or allow me to loosen the straps some. I feel like I'm getting close to a solution, though, so that's encouraging.

[Ebdmd]

i am still having the same problem as you.. i will order a chip strap today and a hose holder ( tried to rig one up last night but didnt help). i feel more exhausted after a week of cpap than i did before. i am taking the night off tonight and using my dental apparatus. i have a fisher paykel auto icon and dont know hoe to get it too max pressure to set mask there. i think it could be at rem as others state because it does seem to start leaking at 1 then again at 3 much worse. i also naively thought i would strap it on and feel better. i am not ready to give up but am very frustrated. i am going to try to get the respiratory therapist out again to see if he can help. anyone have any experience with f&p full facemask with built in chip support? anyone know how to get to maz pressure on auto icon? i think it was locked by dme provider.

[Suetois]

Ebdmd, hang in there! Every time I feel like giving up I think about the arousals every 30 seconds disrupting my rest anyway, and the minute-long apneas, and my blood oxygen dropping to 66%. I don't care how long it takes; I am going to make this work for me. Failure is not an option. When things are going well, I feel so much better. You will too. Don't give up! Be stubborn and keep asking for help here until you find the right answer for you.

[Ebdmd]

thanks for the encouragement. i will order a liner too. i am definitely sweating with mask and heated humidity. one night off though than i will try again.

[Pugsy]

anyone know how to get to maz pressure on auto icon? i think it was locked by dme provider.

http://www.apneaboard.com/CPAP%20Adjustment.htm

Link above has some instruction on how to get to setup menu in the ICON just scroll down till you see it.
Scroll further down and you can see how to get the clinician manual for the ICON.

I don't know if any of that will help but if you don't have it, might not hurt to look.

[Ebdmd]

Thanks will try that link

[BlackSpinner]

And woke up with a red dent on the bridge of my nose again. Argh. This is why I had originally given up on this mask back in December--because after a few days, that red dent progressed to an open sore. However, the fact that I slept through the night means I feel great! So I've just ordered a mask liner from Pad-a-Cheek. We'll see if that will either prevent the redness or allow me to loosen the straps some. I feel like I'm getting close to a solution, though, so that's encouraging.

In an emergency I have used tissue papers to create a liner for my nose. My skin under my eyes gets "burnt" from my mask otherwise

[nobody]

This happens to me a lot because of oily skin. I always wash my face before bed but it never fails about halfway through the night the mask is all greased up and leaking. I often get up, wash everything again, then go back to sleep. Sometimes I'm too sleepy to get up and just tighten the straps a lot, but then usually end up not sleeping as well because it pulls my head down when I usually try to sleep with head back.

[Janknitz]

Try a homemade liner made out of an old T shirt while you're waiting for Padacheek (I'm waiting two weeks already since I ordered mine . . . ).

I use a paper towel to make the pattern, trace around the mask with a 1" margin. I added a bottom "apron" with a hole to put the hose through and ties at the sides and top to keep the liner in place. Make the inner hole where your mouth and nose go smaller than you think you will need--these stretch and you can always make the hole bigger, but not so easy to make it smaller. When I got the liner the way I wanted, I saved the pattern so I can make more.

Take a look at my mask fitting suggestions in "Taming the Mirage Quattro". I have the forehead piece dialed all the way out so that the mask is really tilted away from my nose. Then I make sure that there's plenty of air filling that nose piece before I adjust the mask. That helps reduce the pressure against my nose, while making a good seal.

[DoriC]

Jank, Can you post a photo of your liner?

[DebbieDeb]

"On the other hand, it is possible that your face changes slightly during REM sleep. If that is the case, you could "snug" up and then just apply a little extra in the hopes of keeping the seal as your face relaxes. "

This is what I was thinking along with the facial oil thing. I think age is also related as the fat on my face isn't as puffy as it used to be and I didn't have this issue years ago when I started CPAP.

Each night, I wash my face and wipe off my mask taking special care where it contacts my face. Also, I tighten my mask to what feels comfy and then i tighten a bit more.

If you have very oily skin, you may need to wipe your face and mask again during the night.

Good luck.