Mask leaking in a new user

[jesserdoc]

I am a new user, one week into CPAP and learning to adjust to it. But am finding that while it fits fine when I go to sleep, with no leaking, I wake up later with a lot of air leakage. I have shaved my beard, hoping that would do it, but it seems that once I fall deeply asleep, my lower jaw slackens, my mouth opens, and I get a lot of leakage. I'm using a a ResMed machine and an AirTouch F20 mask. Has anyone experienced this? I am considering trying something to tie under my chin to try to keep my mouth closed. Any suggestions?

[LSAT]

Try a cervical collar from the drug store...or...a mask liner or anti leak strap from padacheek.com. You are using a Full Face mask so if your mouth opens, there should not be too much leakage unless you have a mask that is the wrong size.

[Wulfman...]

I am a new user, one week into CPAP and learning to adjust to it. But am finding that while it fits fine when I go to sleep, with no leaking, I wake up later with a lot of air leakage. I have shaved my beard, hoping that would do it, but it seems that once I fall deeply asleep, my lower jaw slackens, my mouth opens, and I get a lot of leakage. I'm using a a ResMed machine and an AirTouch F20 mask. Has anyone experienced this? I am considering trying something to tie under my chin to try to keep my mouth closed. Any suggestions?

Maybe it's your bed pillow. If your pillow is too soft and your head sinks down into it, it can push your mask out of alignment and leak.
Could be many other things, but that came to my mind reading your post.
Also.......
Wrong size mask.
Wrong mask adjustments. Too tight or too loose can cause leaking.
Wrong mask.......period!


Den

.

[Julie]

Try wearing a soft cervical collar that'll keep your head up (and airway more open) plus jaw closed, if not lips.

[zonker]

welcome to the forum!

i second julie's suggestion. use the cervical collar and at the same time, try this-

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=112758&st=0&sk=t&sd ... i#p1086296

cheap and efficient!