Quatro FX leaks SO frustrated

[Cynop]

So I started on my CPAP about 5-6 weeks ago. It's an APAP and my first settings were pretty much wide open, 8-20. My first download revealed I sit at 20 all night so I'm waiting on a bipap with higher pressure capability (getting it Thursday) and in the meanwhile my settings are now 18-20.

Anyhow, I was given a QuatroFX mask by the DME when they brought the CPAP. It's a small, and I know the size is correct, it sits just where it's supposed to. The medium was way too big going from my forehead to the bottom of my chin. I've had problems with leaking from the top of my mask around my eyes from the beginning but except for one or two bad nights here and there I've been able to adjust it to a reasonable level.

The past few nights though have been awful. I just can't stop the thing from leaking no matter what I do. I've watched and read all the information on this mask and how to fit it, I am going to request a new cushion but I wash it daily to make sure it's not a face oil problem, I've tried putting it on different places on the bridge of my nose and doing the swing and seal technique. I have tightened it, loosened it, tried inching it up and down and left and right millimeter by millimeter. I try to push my face into the firm pillow, I try holding it in place with my hand, but of course every time I start falling asleep my body relaxes and it starts leaking again. It's hard because at a pressure of 20 the mask tries to lift off my face if I don't have it pretty tight.

I actually taped it up last night, taking care not to cover the vent. I don't know if that's advisable but I have some "medfix" tape from work that you can cut to size and I just taped the heck out of it until it wasn't leaking anymore and got a few hours sleep.

I have been feeling SO good. I will just stay awake before I'll sleep without the CPAP, the apnea is really bad, but I have been in tears of frustration trying to get this thing to seal.

Anyone have any ideas or tips? Do I just need a different mask? Any suggestions on that?

Also I get really deep grooves in my face that last until noon sometimes (and I get up at 5am). Also a rash on the back of my head where the straps go. I think I need to start covering the straps with something.

[Pugsy]

The cushion may be tired and need replacing despite your cleaning. It happens. Not everyone is lucky enough to get months of use from a cushion.

You might consider some mask liners.. to help with the groove marks and comfort and might prolong cushion life and lessen leaks. There are several brands out there. Remzzz's is one.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/remzzz ... iners.html

Padacheeks has some nice ones that are washable and last a long time. She also has some strap covers that would help with the strap rash...or you could copy her design and make something similar.
Here is here website so you can poke around there to see what you might use.
http://www.padacheek.com/

At your needed pressure mask leaks are going to be a challenge but there are lots of other different full face masks available and you might consider trying another model.
There are also the other mask types (nasal....over the nose and nasal pillows) available unless you had a special needed for full face mask. Lots of members here use them with the higher pressures just fine.. Now of course if you have nasal congestion or problems requiring mouth breathing then of course the full face mask is optimal choice.

Did you look at the Hybrid? It is full face but uses nasal pillows and cover your mouth mask.

[bipapper]

Hey Cynop....I was using the mirage quattro. It worked pretty good for about a week then....started just flying off my face. Not stopping those leaks...night after night... can really cause a person to go insane...sleep is sooo important! I use high pressure bipap too...right now it is 18/10 because I couldn't do the 25 so we are trying this. Anyway...I just got the Fisher&Paykel flexfit HC431. Now if I can get the adjustment right...I think I'm gonna like it. I wasn't having a leak problem with it...I was having a sore nose problem. But my nose was already sore from the quattro. Might give it a try!

[Cynop]

Thank you so much for the advice! I had never head of padacheecks, I'm definitely going to order some things from them. Also, I had no idea about the cpaplibrary thing where you can try the different masks for a week, I think I'm going to start that so I can try out several different masks and hopefully find one that will work.

[bipapper]

Hello Cynop

[MaxDarkside]

I have a Quattro FX which I thought was pretty good, tho leaking about the eyes lately more even after changing seals, so I decided to make my own "liner" from an old 100% cotton very soft polo shirt I don't wear anymore. I traced about the seal, inside and out and set out cutting with the scissors. It was just about the right size, could have been a bit bigger... I put it on the mask, then put the mask on me, I slept... I didn't think it would work. I figured I would wake up and have to take that rag off... OH NO... NOT TRUE... WOW... I slept so well, I slept 9.5 hours on a week night. I didn't even notice any leaks and slept and slept and slept. I got a Zeo Sleep Score of 108 ! Oh, it helps that I also cut out the caffeine at about 3 PM, which was not easy for an addict like me.

Going to try it again tonight.

[Namlehse]

I was given a QuattroFX by my DME as my first mask, it was rather awful. It would wake me up three or four times a night. I started on a strait CPAP of 18, then 19, then a range of 18-20. I never was able to keep it from leaking.

I have an easier time using the Quattro instead, it works very well, even with an ASV machine now. My pressure goes from 9 to 18 fairly fast during the night, I have no issues with it leaking. I am using a Pad-a-Cheek liner as well.

For me, I just couldn't keep the pad in the FX, it would pull out around the nose, blasting me in the eyes.

[fiberfan]

I have problems with leaks around the eyes and 'mouth farts' at the bottom corners with the Quatro FX. The leaks around the eyes were improved by using the silicone swimming ear plugs.

If you can wear a mask with a forehead brace, there are a quite a few you can try. Any mask with a forehead brace gives me a headache so I switched to a ZZZ mask and have reasonable leaks with it on the nights I have to use a full face mask.

[MaxDarkside]

I slept so well, I slept 9.5 hours on a week night. I didn't even notice any leaks and slept and slept and slept. I got a Zeo Sleep Score of 108 ! Oh, it helps that I also cut out the caffeine at about 3 PM, which was not easy for an addict like me. Going to try it again tonight.

Another 9 hours last night. I can't say it's all because I used a mask liner. I've been cutting back on caffeine later in the day and I have also started on a statin drug for high cholesterol. One or a combo of those really is helping my sleep. Probably first the cut in caffeine, then probably the mask liner as thus I'm not disturbed by face-farting and air into the eyes.

[avi123]

The Quattro FX has not work for me at all. I use a Resmed Mirage Softgel nasal mask with a chinstrap and get good treatment results with no leaks.
Most FF masks have long peripheral seals and consequently many leaks.

[Arizona-Willie]

I have had quite a few masks and like the Quattro FX best of all ---- BUT the darn thing won't stay in the groove.

I keep waking up and it has come out of the groove it fits into in the frame, especially at the top of the nose.

It didn't seem to do that at first.

But the edge that fits into the groove seems to be fine. I can understand if the flexible parts that fit on your face wear out from flexing but that part that fits in the groove doesn't / shouldn't flex at all.

It's been driving me nuts lately.