Newbie here...

[skipperT]

This seems like a very friendly forum, and I've learned a lot of good stuff here (lurking), so, thought I'd post something.
So far I am 2 months compliant with my treatment, but it's been all uphill. To backtrack a little: From a very early age, when I was just old enough to understand the words, my mother always told the story of sitting up with me at night and worrying because I would stop breathing in my sleep. Over the years I heard that story countless times but never thought much about it. Well, last winter my family Dr. decided I should have a seep study. Being 67 yrs old now, seemed like it was high-time. The Dr. was kinda alarmed when it showed my blood oxygen going down to 48% for long periods of time. Well, that's how I got into the Bipap routine.
So, now I'm fighting a Quattro FX mask with pressures up to 30. I still have no clue what all this software talk is about - it seems like trouble enough just to "take this machine and use it" as I was told. Wish I knew what DME stands for, as it's not in the glossary here. The person that hooked me up with all this is a LRT (respiratory therapist). I've ordered the pad-a-cheek mask liners and sure hope it will improve my odds.

Well, for better or for worse, that's my story so far.

[Pugsy]

Wish I knew what DME stands for, as it's not in the glossary here.

Durable Medical Equipment... usually the provider of the machine and mask.

I still have no clue what all this software talk is about

EncoreViewer 2.0 or Encore Pro.
Click on the link in your machine pointing to your machine. If your machine does indeed look like that machine then you would need a special smart card reader to utilize the software.
There is a newer model that only uses a small SD card and not the Encore Smart card (looks like a credit card)

[Emilia]

Look up and to the right.... Under CPAP Wiki Popular Topics you'll see CPAP Definitions in the blue box. There's your glossary! In addition, go to the yellow lightbulb at the very top menu bar and click on that.... a very informative wiki from which you can learn just about everything pertaining to this therapy.

Sounds like you didn't get a lot of help starting out. Stick around here and ask questions! You'll find many with the same machine/mask and conditions to advise and guide you. Best of luck!

[Sheriff Buford]

My thoughts are that after a few months, you shouldn't still be "fighting" your mask. You should have gotten used to it by now. Clearly the mask you are using is not the mask for you. You need to find a mask that's more comfortable. Tell your DME that you want to try on different masks the next time you are due for a mask replacement (insurance-wise). Check with your insurance company and ask when you are due for replacement equipment. Try another mask for a few days and see if it's right for you. Set it up with your DME to return it and select another mask. Once you find the "right mask", you'll know it and it will make therapy much easier.

Sheriff

[jromano]

skipperT,

Welcome!
Learning more about your therapy will do nothing but positive things for you. Emilia had already pointed you to the CPAP Wiki: a valuable & plentiful resource. You can also use the search box at the top to search for threads on your mask, machine, etc. For instance, if you search for 'Quattro FX', you'll find threads that discuss that mask's fit, leaks, quirks, positives, fixes, tips, and oddities.

You say you're 'fighting' with you mask... did you get it at a homecare company (Durable Medical Equipment provider)? Did they fit you for the correct size? Talk to you about how to control leaks? Are you a mouth breather by habit or by necessity? Have you considered other mask options? You mentioned that you pressure goes up to 30 - that's very, very high. Do you remember or have access to the results of your titration study when they determined your pressure?

I don't want to overwhelm you with questions, but I do want to make sure that you're aware of how many variables are involved and how many options you have in making your therapy more comfortable. There are many, many masks out there and the industry is always coming up with newer & more advanced technology.
Keep reading, and keep asking questions. Best of luck to you!

Cheers,
Jess

[skipperT]

You say you're 'fighting' with you mask... did you get it at a homecare company (Durable Medical Equipment provider)? Did they fit you for the correct size? Talk to you about how to control leaks? Are you a mouth breather by habit or by necessity? Have you considered other mask options? You mentioned that you pressure goes up to 30 - that's very, very high. Do you remember or have access to the results of your titration study when they determined your pressure?

The DME brought the machine & masks to my home to demonstrate how it all works and to try on masks. The first was a Quattro Mirage FF which I had some success with, but it took the hide off my nose. Yes, they fit these with the Res-Med size gauge. The next was the Quattro FX which seems light-years better, but still with leaks into the eyes. I do a lot of mouth-breathing as the nose is not often clear enough. The machine is programmed with the Drs. Rx which I've never seen. My condition is central+obstructive apnea and any time I fail to inhale at the correct millisecond the machine gives me that blast at 30. When I fall into perfect rhythm with the thing it's all quite natural - but those blasts will seem to dislodge any mask. And, I'm also blessed with the skin oil of a 14yr old. So even with Witch-Hazel on my face, I'm only good for about 4 hours.

[robysue]

This seems like a very friendly forum, and I've learned a lot of good stuff here (lurking), so, thought I'd post something.
So far I am 2 months compliant with my treatment, but it's been all uphill.

Please post with some of your ongoing issues. We may be able to help you get up that hill to the top, where you can finally start to get a good night's sleep.

So, now I'm fighting a Quattro FX mask with pressures up to 30. I still have no clue what all this software talk is about - it seems like trouble enough just to "take this machine and use it" as I was told. Wish I knew what DME stands for, as it's not in the glossary here. The person that hooked me up with all this is a LRT (respiratory therapist). I've ordered the pad-a-cheek mask liners and sure hope it will improve my odds.

Re: the Quattro FX. If you haven't looked at JanKnitz's Taming the Mirage Quattro, you should. Although the Quattro FX is a different mask, many of the tips JanKnitz gives about the Mirage Quattro will apply to your mask as well. They both use a cushion of air to seal the mask.

Re: the software. Yes, installing software and learning how to use it can be a pain in the you-know-where. But for many of us, the software is a critical tool in getting up that hill you're still on. And having it makes that struggle up the hill a bit easier. Or provides more incentive to keep on trying when we're tempted to just plain give up because things seem so hard.

Software helps you figure out if the problems you're having are more likely due to an incorrect pressure setting or leaks or both. Titration studies give a good starting point for your pressure needs, but they often wind up either over or under titrating you by a cm or two of pressure and that can be a comfort issue as well as a therapy issue. Detailed data about when and how many events are occurring at night are the only real way to tell for sure whether the therapy is doing what it is supposed to do in terms of preventing the vast majority of your apneas and hypopneas each night. Leaks can be obvious, but often they're not. And the leak line can provide a lot of information about what's really going on.

Re: the Padacheek mask liners. They may help a great deal. But it does depend on what the problem you're hoping to fix actually is. There are a lot of other things that Padacheek sells that may also help with comfort issues. Or leak issues. Or both.

[jromano]

Couple things for thought:

While I'm glad to hear that you've been offered more than one mask to try, keep in mind that most DMEs will replace your mask free of charge within the first 30 days of you using it. Perhaps you have the correct size mask, but not the correct mask for your face. Very, very few people find their favorite mask in the first one or two that they try on. Do some research on other full face masks and then ask your DME to try some. Please push them on this return program as it's offered by most major mask manufacturers.

It is your right to see your prescription. If you would like to know what your doctor prescribed, please ask.

As robysue suggested, it would be helpful if you posted more on specific issues that you're struggling with so that others know how to help.

Cheers,
Jess

[skipperT]

Well, I got the Rx and the main points appear under my hardware list. I only seem to have one specific issue; LEAKAGE. If it wasn't for masks blowing into my eyes, I wouldn't have a care in the world. And it only happens after the first 3-4 hrs which makes me think of skin oil returning. That, and many breath cycles start with a 20cm puff which really tests the seal. So there is my only specific issue. I sure wish I could try on every other FFM, but can't think of a way.

Thanks for answering - it's quite puzzling.

[JohnBFisher]

... The next was the Quattro FX which seems light-years better, but still with leaks into the eyes. I do a lot of mouth-breathing as the nose is not often clear enough. The machine is programmed with the Drs. Rx which I've never seen. My condition is central+obstructive apnea and any time I fail to inhale at the correct millisecond the machine gives me that blast at 30. When I fall into perfect rhythm with the thing it's all quite natural - but those blasts will seem to dislodge any mask. And, I'm also blessed with the skin oil of a 14yr old. So even with Witch-Hazel on my face, I'm only good for about 4 hours.

SkipperT, sorry I missed this post earlier.

You are absolutely correct that an ASV machine (what you have) will dislodge ANY mask when it ramps up the pressure. I don't care what mask you use, at 30cm H2O, that strong pressure will push any seal to the breaking point. It feels as if I am standing in the teeth of a strong hurricane when the pressure ramps up.

Unfortunately, it can take quite a while to get used to the machine having a mind of its own. It is not just like CPAP or BiPAP. ASV therapy can be disrupting until you become accustomed to the therapy.

Loosing the seal is VERY normal. It is why I recommend using a mask liner. Using mask liners has made a HUGE difference in my therapy - improving it, that is.

I've also learned a trick that seem to help with keeping the Quattro FX in place. If you can position the lower strap so it comes up from below your jawline, it helps "anchor" the mask in place on your face. Also, the mask liner seems to help reduce the tendency to ride up on your face.

[dcarton]

Hello SkipperT
If you had your Study done at a sleep lab try calling and asking to try different masks. My wife runs 3 sleep labs and she has patients with issues like yours come in and have them try on other masks and sets the pressure to check leak rate and how it feels. She has also sent home a few different types at once to see what the patient is most comfortable with. Also if your machine has a sd card ask if your sleep lab can read the card and give you feedback. Alot of times Night techs get stuck in a habit of just using one type of mask to titrate patients. With masks a one style does not fit all. I use cpap and the measuring chart says i should use a medium full face mask. But the leaking in my eyes was driving me nuts so i changed to a large and adjusted the mask a little more snug and no leaking.

[skipperT]

Another update: The Mirage got me again!

My back-up mask is the Mirage Quattro which I also got a Padacheek liner for, and in desperation went back to it WITH the liner and, lo and behold, 2 perfect 8hr nights!! WOW!! However, it chewed the top off my nose again. How DOES it do that? Even with a liner inside! It's beyond belief.
So, now I'm back to square one again. Cannot touch that Mirage if I want to keep a nose on this mug.

[archangle]

Try medical tape over the spot where the nose gets chewed. There are different levels of thickness and stickiness.