Tips for Mask Problem

[Jaywolf]

The other night I had so many problems with my mask it drove me nuts.. so I lay there in bed watching a video on how to fit my Quattro Air.. I did it! The rest of the night went well and no mask marks.

Last night I got it fitted great and I thought, I got this.. until it started spraying air in bits. I adjusted it here and there, put my finger under here and there to get it to reseal.. success.. for a while. Then about 5:40 close to get up time it started spraying air everywhere.

I did wash my face before bed.. I do have very oily skin so I wonder if the oils built up over all those hours, I put my mask on at 9:00 p.m. Or did my face change shape overnight? LOL

Anyone have any tips. I do have a padacheek liner coming. Would mask wipes help with that situation do you think? What do you do?

[sleepstar]

Is your machine automatic or manual?

[Jaywolf]

It is the Resmed S9 Autoset.

[sleepstar]

Do you know how high the pressure is reaching?

Basically, the mask may seal well when you turn it on, as the pressure is usually low (perhaps 6 cm h2o)
However, if the pressure increases, and you don't know if your mask is properly tightened to fit at that higher pressure, it's going to leak.

You need to ensure the mask fits at higher pressures.

[SleepyToo2]

The liner will help with the oils. You can make one from an old cotton t-shirt if you are desperate. Make sure you are not making the mask too tight, but think about whether you have the right size and shape mask for the size and shape of your face. One size/shape mask does not answer everyone's prayers/dreams!

Each night is different, so go through the video every night until you can remember exactly how to do it without having to look at the video again. Make sure the mask, and your face, is as clean as possible before you put the mask on. I find it also helps to put the mask on, let it "warm" to my body temperature (in your case, it will also adjust to the therapeutic pressure?), then go through the adjustment procedure again. That way, hopefully the leaks are minimized for at least a little while!

[Jaywolf]

Thank you both. My Pulmonologist set my levels at 7-15 so that is where they are right now, the machine automatically adjusts depending on what is happening. I LOVE everything about the machine itself, humidifier, climate line, controls I can adjust easily and the easy reports and this mornings report put my mask fit as good. I am guessing that means overall it was good apart from the episodes I described.

I think watching the video a few more times is a great idea. Both my DME and sleep center measured me at a medium. Having tried the small and large nasal masks I would agree, small felt horribly tight, large way too big.

I will definitely try warming the mask and waiting for the air temperature to come up too and then try refitting.

[sleepstar]

Quattro air is good for some, not so good for others. Maybe see if you can try the fisher and paykel Simplus, also a new mask (Quattro air is new too)

Otherwise, there is always the older Quattro that is tried and tested and something we always go back to when the newer masks don't fit so well.

[Lukie]

I love the quattro air but do have a similar problem occasionally. If you have a ResMed S9 series you can use the Mask fit function that ups the pressure to a higher level so you can adjust your mask to a high pressure before you go to sleep.
Mask liners help a lot tool
I use a resmed chin strap so the liner isnt that necessary. They say not to overtighten the quattro air as it is designed to float on your
face but if you have a high pressure you may want to batten down the hatches before you spring a leak. It is a process that is individual but
all full face masks leak somewhat so it is a matter of you struggling until you hit the sweet spot.