New CPAP user - Mirage FX questions

[agood214]

I started using my CPAP last week - and I am noticing a positive difference.
What's currently killing me is I am using the Mirage FX nasal mask, standard size and getting two problems, one might be a deal breaker:

1. The dealbreaker - I am getting jaw/ear pain on my left side only, it's getting bad enough that I'm pulling the mask off half way through the night.
I am not cinching the mask down hard - I'm trying to use the minimal pressure needed to keep the thing on.
I really want to keep it on as I like how I feel in the morning when I get a longer rest period.
Any ideas that might alleviate the hot spot I'm hitting ?

2. I find the mask comfortable otherwise - but I have to get it perfect or I'm leaking enough air to feel and hear it on my left eyelid area, but not enough to make the cpap think ther'es a fit problem.
It seems to be leaking slightly down from the bridge of my nose.

Tips and tricks appreciated.

[grayghost4]

I would go back to the mask provider/DME and ask for a different mask. I would give one of the nasal pillow masks a try P10 ... swift FX ..or the new:

viewtopic/t108195/Dream-Wear-Mask--My-opinion.html

There are a couple of threads about the new Dream Wear mask.

[agood214]

Thanks grayghost4,
I'll take a look at a new mask, I'm paying completely out of pocket and the DME I went through is not very good - so I'm currently with 2 FX Mirage's, one not opened.

Basically when I went to order, I tried going through the site sponsor - and had a not so inspiring experience. So I went with a competitor, which was a bad move, a dozen calls and e-mails and credits and I'm left with a few hundred out of pocket on masks that might not be right.

Well at lest I'm learning.

Anyone have any luck padding the straps ???