Need advice about FF mask issue

[mindy]

Hi,

I've just started trying out FFMs to use when I get a cold. I first tried the FP 432 and couldn't get it to stop leaking. Then they loaned me a Quattro which I don't have to return until Monday and overall it seems to work well. Last night I felt no obvious leaks when I went to sleep.

The good news is that I didn't wake up 2-4 times during the night to adjust it like I do with nasal pillows, my AHI is lower and I feel better during the day.

The bad news is that I woke up once in the middle of the night with the darn thing leaking just about *everywhere*. I tried for about 5-10 minutes to adjust it (including pulling away from my face & letting it gently drop back as I was shown) -- no dice. So then I got up, detached it from hose, took it off and simply put it back on and the leaks were gone.

I'm mystified why I couldn't get it adjusted while on but it worked when I took it off and put it back on.

I'd like to find out if there's anyway to prevent what happened (note: I did add a stabilizing strap last night and used a piece of molefoam on my nose until I get my new PADACHEEK forehead/nose bridge covers for Quattro). Is this a common occurrence with FFMs?

Or should I keep looking for another FFM? Other than that one event I really like the Quattro. I do plan to use it for another few nights at least and would like to keep it.

Thanks!!
Mindy

[Howkoolguy]

Mindy,

I have used a full face mask for 2+ years. In fact, I have used the Ultra Mirage FF mask for most of that time. I can think of only one possible reason for the leak you describe, that being that the connection of the mask to the hose was not tight. I have had this happen once or twice. The mask works fine, but as the night goes and the connection point moves, it finally loosens slightly and air leaks out. Disconnecting and reconnecting the hose would be the only way to fix it.

Hope this helps.

[mindy]

Thanks Howkoolguy --- That makes a whole lot of sense! It would explain why nothing seemed to work until I unhooked hose, took mask off and the put it all back on!

Will watch for that.

Mindy

[Wulfman]

Mindy,

Are you aware of the infamous leaking elbow of the Quattros?
It doesn't leak all that much, but sounds and feels like it's leaking out of everywhere because it spreads the air out across your face, cheeks and wherever.

The cure for this is to get some Teflon (plumbers) tape and pull the elbow off and wrap BOTH ends of it. (about 4 wraps on each end seems to work) This results in a much lower leak rate and very quiet sleep time.

If you want more info, go to the Search function and search on "Teflon".

Den

[mindy]

Mindy,

Are you aware of the infamous leaking elbow of the Quattros?

Den

Hello Den,

Thanks! I wasn't aware of that and this is a loaner from sleep lab and so I would bet that it's a likely possibility.

This forum is great - so many helpful people

Mindy

[Wulfman]

Mindy,

Are you aware of the infamous leaking elbow of the Quattros?

Den

Hello Den,

Thanks! I wasn't aware of that and this is a loaner from sleep lab and so I would bet that it's a likely possibility.

This forum is great - so many helpful people

Mindy

I've also read where some have used a small rubber band to go around the places on the ends of the elbow where things connect. You might consider that to see if it seals what seems to be leaking.

Den

[mindy]

Since I already have plumber's teflon tape for Swift II, I think I'll give that a try first and then go from there....

thanks!
Mindy

[mindy]

Mindy,

Are you aware of the infamous leaking elbow of the Quattros?
It doesn't leak all that much, but sounds and feels like it's leaking out of everywhere because it spreads the air out across your face, cheeks and wherever.

The cure for this is to get some Teflon (plumbers) tape and pull the elbow off and wrap BOTH ends of it. (about 4 wraps on each end seems to work) This results in a much lower leak rate and very quiet sleep time.

If you want more info, go to the Search function and search on "Teflon".

Den

Happy Thanksgiving, Den!

And thank you, thank you, thank you

I found your photos of Quattro fix and tried it last night. Results were truly amazing. And the squeak from the elbow was gone, too!

Here are the stats (pressure range 10-15) for 3 nights on Quattro:

Night 90%APAP AHI LL Ave leak
1 11 1.8 30 m 46.0%
2 14 4.9 1 m 47.5% band
3 10.2 2.7 0 32.1 band + teflon tape

I used a stretchy band to stabilize mask so I wouldn't need to adjust mask when I rolled around at night. Even though night 2 looks worse than night 1, I didn't wake up as many times.

For the first time since I've been on xPAP, I had *0* wake-ups during the night. It was the first night I felt like I didn't "fall off the bike". Not the lowest AHI but I feel good.

Thanks again!

Mindy

[mindy]

ps

and for the first time ever, there was a straight line across the leak rate graph with some blips but a very clear line - YAY

m

[Wulfman]

Glad to hear that, Mindy!

I've gotten some really flat leak lines from my Quattro, too. Made me wonder if I was still alive.....

Maybe you'll want to hang on to that one.....?

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.

Den

[mindy]

I've gotten some really flat leak lines from my Quattro, too. Made me wonder if I was still alive.....

Maybe you'll want to hang on to that one.....?

Den

Hmmm yes - I guess we're "flatlining" in CPAP-land

I do think I will hang onto this one. I have until Monday to take it back and then my DME will do a swap. I can guarantee the sleep tech will tell me to try some other masks - that I shouldn't need to use "fixes" .... but I haven't found a mask yet that didn't need tweaks. I'm not going to argue with success

Mindy