Newbie here, how do I keep my mask from leaking?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon May 21, 2007 10:11 pm

First off, I have been on my C-Pap machine since early March, and for the most part, I have been feeling better. I even do a good job sleeping through the night w/ my machine, but I do notice several nights that I get woken up b/c air leaks from seal above my nose, and into my eyes. I have a Remstar Plus M Series machine w/ humidifier and a Respironics Comfort Gel Mask. It seems I always have to fidget w/ my straps too before going to sleep, and then it gets either too tight, or too loose and falls off somewhat when I am tossing around. I saw a website that has a something called a Cpap Pro, which instead of a mask, snaps onto your teeth, and has no annoying junk over your whole face, and no straps. Would this maybe be a wise investment, or not. I am going back to my Pulmonologist tomorrow and will see what he says. I just don't feel comfortable even after 3 months w/ this mask over my whole face. Plus, sometimes, if I have gotten it too tight, I notice red marks all around my face where the mask was, and sometimes even my teeth hurt. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

OhioaninSC · Post by **OhioaninSC** » Mon May 21, 2007 10:15 pm

BTW, I see I wasn't actually logged in w/ this first post, I'm the newbie who posted it...JB

Jaggles · Post by **Jaggles** » Tue May 22, 2007 6:04 am

I use the comfortgel and it is very difficult to get without leaking. I, too, have to fiddle and adjust. I am trying the Resmed Mirage Activa nasal mask as soon as it comes in. It supposedly is much more comfortable and requires less adjusting.

The solution, it appears, is trying different masks until you find the right one for you.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue May 22, 2007 6:05 am

Most masks seal better if they're not quite so tight. It usually takes some time to find the right tension......and then again, maybe you need a different mask.
Maybe a full face mask?

If you do a "Search" on this forum on "cpappro" (all one word), you'll find lots of discussions (this comes up about once a month). Not many people liked it.

Den

dunnwes · Post by **dunnwes** » Tue May 22, 2007 6:29 am

I have the cpap pro. I love the idea, but they have the mouth piece wrong. It has a hard plastic on the bottom of the mouth piece. Not very comfortable for the bottom teath. It needs to be a softer plastic like the rest of the mouth piece that can be molded.

Finding the perfect interface is Utopia that we never quite reach.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue May 22, 2007 7:27 am

If you place your hand (fingers spread out) on the back of your head and nod your head up and down, right and left … you will notice that there is a point at the base of the opccipital bone beyond which the motion of your head causes the distance between your fingers to change. This happens because part of your hand is on the back of your neck and part is on your skull.

When the headgear wraps around the back of your neck, every time you move your head, the tension on those straps is going to change and cause leaks while asleep. You will have better success at maintaining a mask seal if you can make sure that none of the headgear straps rest on the back of your neck and instead rest fully on the back of your skull (or keep your head absolutely still throughout the night ... yea uh huh).

I have read that most who have posted their experience with cpappro have not been good but I wouldn't know for sure since I have never tried it nor do I intend to.