Mask trouble

[truckee147]

I am two months on and have been fine with minimal leaks. All of the sudden I am waking with huge leaks around my mask. I ordered a new liner but still am getting the leaks. I have tightened down the straps but still leaking.

It almost feels like my pressure has gone up but it seems fine on the info report. I recently upped my ramp starting pressure. Does that change the therapy pressure? Any help would be great.

[Cindy Lou Who]

Upping the ramp would not change your pressure. You may want to double check your other settings just in case something changed accidentally. Also if you are of the male gender and have not shaved recently that could cause leaks. A two month old liner could be beginning to fail. Don't use a FFM so no authority or experience in that.
Have you changed bed pillows? Or find yourself waking up on your side more than before? Have heard from some that tightening up the straps too much deformed the liner and made leaks worse. Over time my straps stretch out and have to be adjusted a bit.
Hope it's something simple to fix. Best wishes,
Cindy

[sol]

I am two months on and have been fine with minimal leaks. All of the sudden I am waking with huge leaks around my mask..

Probably the cushion worn out need replacing and washing it help too.

[LSAT]

Try a mask liner from......
http://padacheek.com/ or
http://www.remzzzs.com/Default.asp

[Wonderbeastlett]

Ive been using the Mirage Quattro for about 3 weeks. I'm new to cpap therapy and have had so many leaks with my mask. I was pulling my straps so tight my nose would bleed. I finally caved in and bought the gecko nasal pad.

It is possible your ramp up time could affect the sealing. Mine is set at 3 and ramps from there. I find that laying on your back when you start the machine helps. Then just lightly pushing it on and tightening from there. You should never have to pull your straps so tight you hurt! Plus it is true your straps can lose elasticity over time. Hopefully you won't have any problems with your new mask liner. You probably did just need a new one!

[zoocrewphoto]

Mine started doing this after 10 weeks. My first DME has never told me about replacing items. My new DME (changing right now) said that this happens when the cushion is getting old. It will last longer for different people because of a lot of factors. Some people need to replace once a month. Some can get 8 months out of one. So, this is probably what is happening for you.

[DoriC]

When my husband first started therapy we had to replace the mask every 3months because of all the wear and tear trying to get the mask to fit right. Now we get a replacement every 6mos. Medicare allows a replacement every 3mos. Everyone is different, a veteran on this forum was wearing the same mask for 4yrs, said it got better with age.

[chunkyfrog]

I agree that your cushion could be giving up on you.
When you get the replacement cushion, instead of tossing the old one,
you could try boiling it in distilled water and a teaspoon or 2 of baking soda for 10-20 minutes (simmering)
I have doubled the life of many of my nasal pillows by doing this; but don't do it unless you have the new one.
I have boiled all kinds of things dry--the kitchen is not always good to me---"Scorched potatoes, dear?"