leaking

luckydoo · Post by **luckydoo** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 9:54 am

need help with my f&p431 mask leaking been on cpap 4 nights now i have tight&loose but still leaks hurts my nose bridge i can not take much more just wondering if someone has a trick or what i have a remstarplus cfex set on 10cm

snorzalot · Post by **snorzalot** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:01 pm

I'm using the same FP 431 FF (well my own that is ) and I haven't really experienced too many problems with leaks. However, I have certainly over tightened my straps enough to make a tender spot near the top of my nose.

My pressure setting is 16 iPAP so high airflow shouldn't really be an issue for you.

Try the following:

- Use the guide on cpap.com to ensure you have the right mask size. I'm borderline between M and L even though I'm 6'7" 275. The medium size is still the best fit.
- Once you pass the right fit test, start by placing the mask (straps to the side) on your face and making a solid seal by just using pressure from your hands to hold the mask in place. I had GREAT success with this method taught from my sleep study observer.
- Once the seal fits well without the straps, it's time to add them back into the equation. Perhaps you can get a significant other to help you work the straps back into place and secure the mask to your face. I suggest you start with the top straps first and work towards getting and even balance with both straps.
- Finally, adjust the bottom straps by letting the gray colored slider work itself centered onto your face.

Just pull the emergency cord straight forward and away from your face if you need to exit the mask quickly. This a great feature on the FP FF.

A suggestion I had read (possibily even on this forum) is to wait until you get the near perfect fit and then use a marker or something to indicate your velcro locations so you don't loose them during cleaning sessions.

Good luck to you and let me know how it goes or if you figure out any good tips I can try--I REALLY like this mask sans the non adjustable nose portion. I stated in another post it would be nice if FP adopted the adjustable nose piece that ResMed incorporates on their FF.

Thanks!

sleepless_in_ny · Post by **sleepless_in_ny** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:27 pm

Have you cleaned your face oils off your face at night and the mask in the morning. I found this to make a big difference with the seal. In some cases, it just may not be the best mask for you. It is trial and error.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 11:05 pm

luckydoo I swear if I hadn't seen the screen name I would have thought I posted this. I have worn the mask 4 nights and nothing but leaks and a sore nose. Spent 3 hours the first night trying to fit the thing properly. I am going to try it again but have an activa I am going to try. If that doesn't work out I'm back to the UMFF.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:02 am

One of my masks is the FP 431 and it also makes the bridge of my nose sore so that I rarely use it. I have read of a few others with the same problem. Perhaps if enough people give them the same feedback they might feel compelled to offfer a solution as they would realize that these people would be unlikely to buy more products from them. Most businesses , when faced with these situations do react positively because they do depend on repeat business.

snorzalot · Post by **snorzalot** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:11 am

I used the FP431 last night and I started by reducing the tension on the top straps by nearly 1/2 of where I had them previously. I was certain the leaks would be abundant, but to my surprise, it felt very comfy and I had no leaks.

Next, I did the exact same thing with the bottom adjustment straps. I reduced the pressure probably 1/4 and then 1/3 and then finally close to half until I started getting constant leaks at which time I barely increased equal pressure on both straps at once. I can honestly say that I found a GREAT happy medium with no leaks, a comfortable fit, and when I awoke this morning after 8 hours (with just 1 wakeup) I feel rested, my nose is not sore this morning and I'm confident that if I could repeat this process, I WILL be complaint for a long time to come.

I also adjusted my humidifier last night from 3/5 on possible settings from my standard 2/5. I did not experience "rainout" so I think I've found a combination that is working for me.

I hope all of you can find this happy medium because I know how frustrating it is to wrestle with this equipment night after night.

I also completely agree that it would serve FP well to read this thread and see the number of clients using their equipment that want a better nose piece adjustment.

Perhaps my mask is fitting a little better because my polysomnography therapist wanted a LARGE mask for my face, but found they only had MEDIUM in stock. It was a leap to make the medium work. At first it felt like I was wearing one of those nasal breath right strips which was annoying since I don't breathe so great through my nose, but then I got used to the feel and now I'm afraid if I had a LARGE it would be leaking.

One last piece of advice I can offer is try tilting your head back and forth at different angles to find positions that help better with leaks. Sometimes a slight adjust to my head position on the pillow will totally eliminate the leaks.

Thanks!

luckydoo · Post by **luckydoo** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:50 am

well another night not to bad after all ''thanks to''snorzalot advice but my nose was still sore leaks was better so thanks ps.yes i washed my face & my big old nose with alcohol swabs so thanks to all

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 11:50 pm

There's a lot of variation in face sizes.Why not suggest adding more sizes...i,e, and extre large and an extra small? It's a great mask....if you can use it. Lucky me, I can.

Darth Vader Look · Post by **Darth Vader Look** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 1:38 am

There's a lot of variation in face sizes.Why not suggest adding more sizes...i,e, and extre large and an extra small? It's a great mask....if you can use it. Lucky me, I can.

I agree with you in regards to adding some more sizes. If I could get an extra large cushion that is about a quarter inch longer than the large I would probably be set.