New leaks don't know why

[mmonadilo]

I've been on bipap for six years. Despite a ton of money spent trying new masks and such, trying to find what works, I had found the f20 and it had been good.
Scores On MyAir pretty consistently 100%. All of the sudden constant leaks. I've tried moving from medium to small cushion, which was ok for about 2weeks. Now leaking terribly again, loudly. I've replaced cushion, frame, headgear, humidifier, played around with all kinds of headgear adjustments. I have always washed my cushions well and wash my face before bed. Any ideas? I'm so frustrated.

[LSAT]

How bad are the leaks? Are they affecting your AHI? Are they affecting your sleep? If it is just the MyAir score you are concerned about...For Get about it

[gv280z]

I don't mean to talk down to you but it seems to me in cases like this, it's the Basics that are screwing you up. I do occasionally have to reset my headgear, re-balance and get straps adjusted from scratch.

Try to cover all your basic setup, if headgear is worn, stretched out, replace with new; don't over tighten the crown strap, same goes for the upper and lower cheek straps, if the uppers are tighter than lower, it'll put the cushion at a weird angle on your face and cause a leak.

I'm practically OCD in setting up my headgear, i measure and put belt loop marks with permanent marker to assist in getting the left / right balance correct.

To put in automotive Shade Tree Mechanic terms, it's the Air, Fuel, Spark equivalent for CPAP.


ON the other hand....I once really loved the Amara View, swore by it...it had rescued me from the F20 that scarred me for life, yet there did come a time when I started having a ton of leaks and problems with that mask and nothing that I did could fix the issue. In that instance I blame weight loss of about 20 or so lbs. I was never able to reconcile with and ended up giving it away to be with my one and only, F30.

[chunkyfrog]

. . .

I'm practically OCD in setting up my headgear, i measure and put belt loop marks with permanent marker to assist in getting the left / right balance correct. . . .

Nearly every body/head is not in perfect symmetry.
Adjusting your mask for a perfectly symmetrical head may not be ideal.
Adjust for fit--if uneven tails bother you, trim them.

[golfgame]

I've been on bipap for six years. Despite a ton of money spent trying new masks and such, trying to find what works, I had found the f20 and it had been good.
Scores On MyAir pretty consistently 100%. All of the sudden constant leaks. I've tried moving from medium to small cushion, which was ok for about 2weeks. Now leaking terribly again, loudly. I've replaced cushion, frame, headgear, humidifier, played around with all kinds of headgear adjustments. I have always washed my cushions well and wash my face before bed. Any ideas? I'm so frustrated.

It has taken me the better part of 2 yrs to get what I consider the PERFECT set-up.....BLEEP SLEEP!!!!! Even that took a considerable amount of fidgeting but Wahla! It is covered by Medicare

[ragtopcircus]

I keep a Sharpie beside the bed as an essential CPAP tool.

[Sluggish]

...it had rescued me from the F20 that scarred me for life,

I'm curious to know more about this. Physical or psychological scars?? I saw your pic in another thread and didn't notice anything obvious. I'm going on 4-5 months with the F20 and still can't seem to get it right. It seems to be interfering with my eyes in one way or another. Hard to explain but it feels like they aren't ever closed all the way. When I wake up they typically water for a while.

[gv280z]

I mean literally, it left a 1/4" scar on the bridge of my nose, you can kinda see it in a pic in one of the F30 New user threads. I mean, it (F20) DID get me up on a plane using my cpap but I was very glad to move on.

[Keeska]

I was getting leaks on the bridge of my nose, so I now just wear a Band-Aid over the bridge of my nose, and literally, no more leaks. Hooray!