Teflon Tapeing Quattro??

Sleepy Boy · Post by **Sleepy Boy** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:43 am

I put teflon tape on both ends of the elbow between the mask and the air hose. I seen on here where someone put tape on the air hose part of the connection elbow. I put it on both ends-and last night it didn't seem to blow all over inside the mask. Will this restrict or cut down on my air flow?? It seemed to work real good. . Its a Quattro mask.
Thanks, Larry...

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 8:55 am

Sleepy Boy wrote:I put teflon tape on both ends of the elbow between the mask and the air hose. I seen on here where someone put tape on the air hose part of the connection elbow. I put it on both ends-and last night it didn't seem to blow all over inside the mask. Will this restrict or cut down on my air flow?? It seemed to work real good. . Its a Quattro mask.
Thanks, Larry...

As long as you're not covering the opening in the hose, there should not be a problem. The tape is supposed to go around both ends of the elbow (in the grooves on each end.....the end that goes into the front of the mask and the end that goes into the hose connector).

Den

GuyK · Post by **GuyK** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 9:07 am

I taped mine about a week ago (I was very careful about loose ends and such; the joints are very tight now, and don't swivel unless moved by hand). My leak rate had been running from roughly 0.20 to 0.50 L/sec prior to taping.

The first night, after taping, my leak rate dropped dramatically, to 0.08 L/sec. That same night, my average pressure was higher than it had ever been (I'd been running about 10.8 to 11.8; this night it jumped to 13. and I had tremendous back pain (I've been experiencing back pain often, and I think it can be attributed to aerophagia -- however, Prilosec OTC didn't seem to do anything for me).

Over the next few nights, my leak rate climbed to unacceptable levels: 0.54 to 0.94 L/sec, and average pressure dropped back to my normal range. I find this odd because I wasn't seeing leak levels this high prior to taping. Last night, I finally had another drop, to 0.48 L/sec.

I have no explanation why I would have one good night (after taping) and the rest to be so lousy. Is anyone able to help?

The only other factor might be a coincidence -- my beard. I keep it very short, and use clippers about once every three weeks. Just in case it is my beard causing leak problems, I did shave it again this morning. I'll see if the leak rate drops again tonight.

Thanks,
Guy

mdbarthe · Post by **mdbarthe** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:34 pm

I can't explain the "1 good night versus a couple of bad", but I can give you something to think about considering your back pain. I had the same pains and attributed them to the CPAP when I first began my therapy two years ago. After a few months, I found out the back pains were due to a bad gall bladder. They call gall bladder attacks "the thief in the night" because it strikes often while you are sleeping or early in the morning when you wake.

After I had my gall bladder out, I never had any more back pain at night. It's just a thought..........

Paul56 · Post by **Paul56** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 1:43 pm

Just today I purchased a new Quattro and notice the swivel joint is a lot stiffer than my old Quattro was even when new.

As well, they no longer include the mesh bag with zipper... instead now include a cloth bag with cord pull string at the top.

mdbarthe · Post by **mdbarthe** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:03 pm

My original quattro mask (1.8 years ago) was pretty tight at the elbow joint when i first got it. I religiously followed the "break it down and wash it in mild soap every day" rule for the first couple of months. After that, the elbow joint, after being pulled apart and reattached many times, became loose and the wind escaping from it sounded like a caliope at night.

Having been raised with the old adage, "Duct tape will fix anything," I taped the threads on the joint and snapped it back together and it has been great ever since. I didn't research what toxic chemicals might be in the adhesive on the tape that is being blown into my lungs at 13 cm/H20 per night, but so far I'm still ticking away.

riverdreamer · Post by **riverdreamer** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:12 pm

mdbarthe wrote: I didn't research what toxic chemicals might be in the adhesive on the tape that is being blown into my lungs at 13 cm/H20 per night, but so far I'm still ticking away.

I have to say, I kind of cringe every time I see that someone is using Teflon tape.

While Dupont has not corroborated the idea that Teflon causes cancer or other health hazards, it did recently settle allegations by the EPA on Teflon with a $17 million fine, the largest civil penalty enforced and reached under any federal environmental law. In this case, Teflon chemicals were exposed to many workers and was even found passed by one pregnant woman to her fetus suggesting that the Teflon health issues we encounter will only be starting and may take several years to truly be revealed.

http://www.lawsuitsearch.com/toxic-products/teflon.aspx

While the route for Teflon toxicity is hotly contested, I just thought people might like to know it is a possible issue. The choice to use it, or not, is yours.

mdbarthe · Post by **mdbarthe** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:26 pm

YIPES! Thanks, Riverdreamer.......that'll keep me awake at night, now.

Sleepy Boy · Post by **Sleepy Boy** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:48 pm

Paul56 wrote:Just today I purchased a new Quattro and notice the swivel joint is a lot stiffer than my old Quattro was even when new.

As well, they no longer include the mesh bag with zipper... instead now include a cloth bag with cord pull string at the top.

Ya, and my DME told me that carry bags were no longer given with the Quattro!! I carried mine out in a plastic bag...

Sleepy Boy · Post by **Sleepy Boy** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:54 pm

riverdreamer wrote:
mdbarthe wrote: I didn't research what toxic chemicals might be in the adhesive on the tape that is being blown into my lungs at 13 cm/H20 per night, but so far I'm still ticking away.
I have to say, I kind of cringe every time I see that someone is using Teflon tape.

While Dupont has not corroborated the idea that Teflon causes cancer or other health hazards, it did recently settle allegations by the EPA on Teflon with a $17 million fine, the largest civil penalty enforced and reached under any federal environmental law. In this case, Teflon chemicals were exposed to many workers and was even found passed by one pregnant woman to her fetus suggesting that the Teflon health issues we encounter will only be starting and may take several years to truly be revealed.
http://www.lawsuitsearch.com/toxic-products/teflon.aspx

While the route for Teflon toxicity is hotly contested, I just thought people might like to know it is a possible issue. The choice to use it, or not, is yours.

Probably most, if not all, plumbers use Teflon Tape on all the water fittings in our houses, and have for years. Its kinda like my Daughter telling me she didn't use Splenda because it wasn't safe---as she smoked a cigarette!! GO FIGURE!!!

riverdreamer · Post by **riverdreamer** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:09 pm

Sleepy Boy wrote: Probably most, if not all, plumbers use Teflon Tape on all the water fittings in our houses, and have for years. Its kinda like my Daughter telling me she didn't use Splenda because it wasn't safe---as she smoked a cigarette!! GO FIGURE!!!

Well, not QUITE the same, as I am not choosing to put the teflon tape in the pipes, nor do I use anything with teflon that I have a choice about, or at least know about. It is hard to avoid it, given that it is used in clothing, sheets, carpets, and many other places, in addition to cooking utensils and plumbing. However, if people do know it is a problem, they can make choices, and even make noise if necessary to make a change about the things they currently can't choose to change.

mountainlvr · Post by **mountainlvr** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:17 pm

Hi,
Can I ask....what am I missing?? Why are people taping their Quattro? I have one and quit using it because, even though I thought I had a good fix for it, it kept blowing in my eyes. Seems to be coming from under the seal at the bridge of my nose, but I tried a zillion fixes and none worked more than a few nights.

Anyway, what are you guys tapin???

mdbarthe · Post by **mdbarthe** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:19 pm

The elbow joint where it joins the mask. After they loosen up over time, air tends to leak out through the joint.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 3:36 pm

mountainlvr wrote:Hi,
Can I ask....what am I missing?? Why are people taping their Quattro? I have one and quit using it because, even though I thought I had a good fix for it, it kept blowing in my eyes. Seems to be coming from under the seal at the bridge of my nose, but I tried a zillion fixes and none worked more than a few nights.

Anyway, what are you guys tapin???

Here's a link with some pictures from "abysmillard".

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=33452

Den

Sleepy Boy · Post by **Sleepy Boy** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 5:00 pm

Thanks Den: I knew it was somewhere on here.

Teflon Tapeing Quattro??

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