Should I get a bigger mask?

[melbakes]

HI
I am new to this board and this whole sleep apnea thing. I have been wrestling with my cpap and mask leaks for a little less than a month. I am on my 3rd mask (Quattro FX - medium) FFM. I tried the nasal mask, but I am a mouth breather and that didn't work. I got the Quattro next and was having trouble with leaks. Since I am in the 30 day replacement period, I wanted to try a FFM with more stability at the forehead. I thought maybe that was why I was getting leaks. Then the DME gave me the Respironics Amara. OH my! That hasn't been good since the first moment I got it home. To get it to not leak, I have to tighten it too much and that hurt. So, I am back with the Quattro. The problem I have is I feel it slipping the moment I put it on and turn the machine to full pressure (which is 11). I've made sure the mask is clean and my face is washed at bed time. It stays sealed for a bit of time, but if I move my mouth or nose at ALL (even a tiny amount), the seal breaks. I feel like I shove my face into the mask and it immediately starts to slide back off. If that makes any sense. I am wondering if perhaps the mask is too small? My mouth relaxes a lot when I start to fall asleep and it seems like it breaks the plane of the mask and starts to leak. I have the medium size mask. Should I move to the large one? I have high cheek bones and I am wondering if that interferes with a good seal due to there being many curves and angles. My month is almost up so maybe it's worth trying a larger size? I have been stalking these boards since I was diagnosed and there's such excellent advice and information on here. Everyone is so helpful. I would appreciate any thoughts anyone has. I am determined to make this whole cpap thing work (my main symptom is daytime sleepiness - which is what made me get tested - as well as gasping for air). I am so desperately tired all the time. I work full time and have 3 kids to take care of, so sleepiness is unacceptable. Thanks for any thoughts and advice.

[Pugsy]

My month is almost up so maybe it's worth trying a larger size? I

Impossible to know for sure because we can't see your fit but it's always worth it to try a different size or even a different mask while we can utilize the free mask swapping period. Otherwise you will always be "what iffing".
You might end up back with original size but at least you will know and not be wondering "what if".

Have you seen this blog with hints on how to make this mask work..just in case it is a good size and it is the fitting that needs work? The hints work for both the Quattro FX and the original Mirage Quattro.
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

There are also templates available so you can print a sizing guide off and actually measure for size.
http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/html/ma ... lates.html

[melbakes]

Thanks Pugsy. I was just trying to find the sizing guide info on resmed's website. When I got my mask from the DME, it was not in new packaging, so the template was not included. It was picked for me by "eye". UGH! Which is why when I got it home and tried it that night, the valve and clip were missing and the air blew right out the front of the mask. HA! Not good.... I will definitely check out both of those sites you mentioned. You are right. There's no point in what-iffing. I will print the template and see what that says. Thanks so much!

[Jay Aitchsee]

It's quite possible you need to go smaller in size rather than larger. Use the Quattro sizing guide and if your measurement falls closer to small than medium, than you might be better fit with a small mask. For point of reference, it seems the small Quattro FX sizing overlaps the medium Quattro. In other words, it might be normal to wear a medium Quattro and a small Quattro FX. Or, a medium Quattro FX and a large Quattro. Of course, there is no substitute for an actual trial of the mask in question. And there is no reason your DME shouldn't use the measuring tool to help determine the appropriate size in the first place.

Jay