New User with Mask Questions (Quattro FX)

[richart]

I am a mouth breather plus I am a very active sleeper and move from side to back to the other side all night long. I was supplied with a Quattro FX face mask and I am continuously having problems with leaks at a pressure of 12. The therapist said the mask should be worn mid-bridge and looser is better than tighter.

To keep the mask from leaking when I move, I have to wear it positioned tightly to my face...in fact so tightly it leaves marks on my face that take an hour or so to disappear in the morning. And the tightness seems to interfere with my nasal breathing. If I raise it higher than mid-bridge it does not seem to interfere with my nasal breathing as much. The therapist provided a gel pad to put on my nose before the mask, but it really makes the leaks worse and right into my eyes.

In over a month I have only had a couple of nights where I could keep the mask on all night and get some decent sleep. The rest of the time I keep waking up to leaks and having to make adjustments to the mask. I am really getting fed up and about to forget the idea of CPAP altogether. Before I go that route, does anyone have suggestions for wearing the mask? Or for another type of mask I could purchase somewhere? (It will be almost 5 months before my insurance will pay on a new mask.)

[peterg]

I am a mouth breather plus I am a very active sleeper and move from side to back to the other side all night long. I was supplied with a Quattro FX face mask and I am continuously having problems with leaks at a pressure of 12. The therapist said the mask should be worn mid-bridge and looser is better than tighter.

To keep the mask from leaking when I move, I have to wear it positioned tightly to my face...in fact so tightly it leaves marks on my face that take an hour or so to disappear in the morning. And the tightness seems to interfere with my nasal breathing. If I raise it higher than mid-bridge it does not seem to interfere with my nasal breathing as much. The therapist provided a gel pad to put on my nose before the mask, but it really makes the leaks worse and right into my eyes.

In over a month I have only had a couple of nights where I could keep the mask on all night and get some decent sleep. The rest of the time I keep waking up to leaks and having to make adjustments to the mask. I am really getting fed up and about to forget the idea of CPAP altogether. Before I go that route, does anyone have suggestions for wearing the mask? Or for another type of mask I could purchase somewhere? (It will be almost 5 months before my insurance will pay on a new mask.)

Im strugling with leaks a bit with mine, had it for 4 weeks, only at 3-5cc.
I am discovering that it is true that too tight is bad, particularly side sleeping (which I do), but also too loose is bad. my main issue is the mask slippin gup the bridge. Ill work today on a strap to pull it down under the chin,

consider mask liner and strap liners from padacheek.com..
consider making your own mask liner (eg fleecey fabric from a fabric shop).

search through this forum, there was a post only the other day and good advice.

dont give up. if you cant work the mask out, try another. consider nasal pillow and chin strap.

no doubt others will post better advice here in the next few days than my novice suggetions.

remember,
the mask is your friend
the mask is your friend
the mask is your friend

[busylady]

You may want to consider using a liner. That helped me eliminate the leaks around the eyes. I did find that I couldn't use the pad-a-cheek that covered the lower part of the mask. I couldn't get a seal there, so am using a liner (try an old t-shirt) cut in a fat U shape that stops right above your mouth. Using strap covers on the lower straps may also help the mask fit firmer and move less. Another hint, when you turn on your machine, immediately lie down so when the mask inflates you are lying on your back. Then adjust the tightness of the mask. You may not need it as tight as you think. I too need to have the FX fairly firm on my face, but not so tight that it leaves marks.

You may be too active a sleeper to use this mask and may need one of the ones with the forehead gear, like the quattro Mirage. Other users may provide advice in that direction.