Persistent Mask Leak - Please Help!

[SnoresAway]

Hi,

I’m having a problem I hope somebody can help with. I’ve been using a CPAP for about 5 years, and I have an issue with mask leak that I cannot seem to solve.

I’ve tried many types of full face masks (currently using an AirTouch F20), and have persistent issues with mask leak when I’m on my back. On my side, I don’t have problems.

This is because when I’m on my back, my jaw recedes and creates a gap between the mask and my face. This gap causes a leak that wakes me up. When I wake up, I move my jaw to address the leak and go back to sleep.


Because these leaks wake me up, my leak score is never bad.

I’m also afraid that, even when I’m not consciously waking up, my sleep is never as deep as it should be while I’m on my back.

An important thing to note: any type of device that would keep my mouth closed wouldn’t help (I’ve tried chin straps), because my jaw/mouth doesn’t necessarily open, it recedes backwards.

I have tried nasal pillows, but had an issue with my mouth filling up with air throughout the night and waking me up. This happened even when my mouth was shut, and I could never figure it out.

I have also tried a mandibular advancement device, with no luck.

At this point I’m considering MMA surgery, but I certainly hesitate to take such a drastic step.

Is anybody aware of a face mask that might prevent an issue like this?

[Julie]

Don't mean to sound facetious, but have you tried not sleeping on your back?

[JXG]

Some ideas to consider:

- Have you tried an under-the-nose style full face mask (e.g. Amara View, F30)? I find I can tighten the mouth portion of these masks more effectively because they don't span across my cheeks so they can rotate back on the lower jaw without creating leaks at the top of the mask (I hope that makes sense)

- Have you tried a chin strap with your full face mask? I'm guessing you have because you've tried a mandibular advancement device but I thought it would be worth mentioning

- As someone else mentioned, can you stay off your back? Maybe try the trick of putting a tennis ball on your back so you don't settle there in your sleep?

[SnoresAway]

Don't mean to sound facetious, but have you tried not sleeping on your back?

Good question. I have tried a device/pillow that I strap on my midsection to keep me on my sides. It definitely does that, but it makes my shoulder, knees, and hips sore to be on my side all night.

I will be doing some research to see what type of mattress is best for side-sleepers, I think.

[SnoresAway]

Some ideas to consider:

- Have you tried an under-the-nose style full face mask (e.g. Amara View, F30)? I find I can tighten the mouth portion of these masks more effectively because they don't span across my cheeks so they can rotate back on the lower jaw without creating leaks at the top of the mask (I hope that makes sense)

- Have you tried a chin strap with your full face mask? I'm guessing you have because you've tried a mandibular advancement device but I thought it would be worth mentioning

- As someone else mentioned, can you stay off your back? Maybe try the trick of putting a tennis ball on your back so you don't settle there in your sleep?

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried the F30, and had the same issue, unfortunately. Maybe I'll check out the Amara View.

I also tried the chin strap with the full face mask, with no luck.

And, as I mentioned in my reply to Julie, I've tried a method to keep me on my side, but now have to investigate a different mattress to prevent too much stiffness when I'm on one of my sides that long.

[Sleepingbaby]

I switch between a F20 and F30 depending on how I feel.

I have found the pillow from the purple mattress company gives me the firmness I like with the softness to allow the mask not to be pushed around.
Still wake some in the night but getting better sleep.