Trying the new Quatro out

[kjarels]

I was using the Activa but due to the fact I am a mouth breather decided to try the Quatro but my last night results were terrible. AHI was over 12 and my leakage was 1.76. With the Activa my AHI runs around 3-6 every night and leakage is anywhere from 0.25-0.76. Any suggestions?? Also, no matter which mask I use my mouth is so dry I can't even swallow even using the humidifier. I also have another humidifier in my bedroom that I use as well.

[Wulfman]

Did you change the mask selection in your machine?
Did you do the "Teflon tape fix"?
Is it properly sized?
Is it properly adjusted? (not too tight, not too loose)

Train yourself to keep your mouth shut. Even with a full face mask, if your mouth is hanging open, it'll still get dry. Also, if you're having nasal congestion, do some nasal irrigation to open/clear out the airway.

Den

[RiverDave]

Wow. With a leak rate like that, I would venture a guess that your AHI means nothing.

Other than that....what Wulfman said.

[Organplayer]

Adjustment on the Quattro is a little tricky,at least for me. Too tight and it leaks. Too loose and the same thing.

Also, as someone else mentioned, teflon tape around the connector from the mask solve leaks there.

I happen to love my Quattro.

Good luck,
Kevin

[Moby]

It takes a couple of weeks to sort out whether a new mask will work, in my experience.

Unless you really hated it, one night is not enough to judge. imo

Di

[MrGrumpy]

[quote="kjarels"]I was using the Activa but due to the fact I am a mouth breather decided to try the Quatro but my last night results were terrible. AHI was over 12 and my leakage was 1.76. With the Activa my AHI runs around 3-6 every night and leakage is anywhere from 0.25-0.76. Any suggestions?? Also, no matter which mask I use my mouth is so dry I can't even swallow even using the humidifier. I also have another humidifier in my bedroom that I use as well.

[trice54]

I am trying out a Quattro, also. The leak rate seems to vary a lot, but the DME rep refit it yesterday and the leak rate was a lot lower last nite. But I also find that my mouth is pretty dry, even with the humidifier set at the highest setting. It is not nearly as bad as when I had nasal pillows, but I figured with everything enclosed, I shouldn;t have any trouble with dry mouth...go figure.
But in general, I am liking the mask a lot. It was a lot easier to get used to than I had imagined.
Trice

[kjarels]

I have heard people say that taping the mask with teflon tape will help with the leak rate because right now its been pretty high. I am using a medium size quattro right now and was wondering how much of a difference is the medium size versus the large size??

[glfredrick]

This post is a few days old, but it doesn't seem resolved...

I'm another Quatro medium-size user.

I did the Teflon tape around the inlet connector with good effect. Stopped a leak there and improved my numbers.

I wake up with dry mouth almost every morning -- I figure that is one of the breaks of the game... Try the Biotene toothpaste, which helps with mouth moisture. Its helped me somewhat. Takes a while to get used to, but no more mouth sores.

My big leak problem is along the sides of the mask while side-sleeping (about the only way I sleep). I find that the mask gets pushed sideways and starts leaking along a cheek. A simple adjustment cures that.

I also find leaks when the humidity gets too high, and the inside of the mask gets wet. As it gets slippery, air tends to start leaking out near the bottom corners near the chin on me. No cure, except to wipe the seal dry.

Otherwise, I adjusted from day 1 and have slept every night except one with the mask intact -- average 5.5 hours a night -- total time in bed. AHI is .8-1.0, pressures 11 to 16.5 A-flex, leaks 38.9, 90% - 11.5.

[deglorious]

I love my quattro. I have the mask tightened around my chin and loose on the bridge of the nose. That has kept my leak rates from 0 to .04 on several nights plus my nose no longer gets red. I have avoided the forehead strap marks with Padacheeks Forehead pad.

Good luck,

Deglorious

[rwk]

I use the Quattro, too, and I've had great results with it. It took a little adjustment at the start, but I've got it snugged-up pretty well. What really seemed to work with the leaks was a little help with a leg of "Rested Gals'" panty hose! I was getting a leak at the "elboe" connection...not all the time, but enough to be annoying. I just strap the panty hose leg across the elboe to the back and put in a bow. It not only stopped the elboe leak, but the other leaks around the mask seal, as well. It stabalized the whole interface, so when I flip over in the night, seeking that nice, cool spot on the pillow, it all moves as a stable unit...snug, but not too tight.

It's easy to do and quick, and always makes me chuckle...all those times during my "ill-spent boyhood youth" getting excited about taking off panty hose, and now...I go to bed with them strapped around my head! I guess, there's some ironic, poetic justice in that somewhere. It's a miracle material, just enough to stretch and give, but comfortably-snug at the same time. And, there is virtually no sound from the mask at all.

[glfredrick]

The teflon tape really works well. Simple and effective.

Just turn a few wraps around the part of the elbow that snaps into the mask and snap it in the same way.

You can pick up the tape at any hardware or home store for a buck or so. Its in the plumbing department.

http://www.amazon.com/Teflon-Tape-2-Inc ... 413&sr=8-5