How often should we replace the mask?

jlederer · Post by **jlederer** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 1:42 am

I have been on the CPAP machine & full-face mask for
one year now. 6 months after I began using the machine, I noticed
my mask would leak!!!
I spent $35 on eBay & got a new one. Now 6 months later...this
one leaks EVERY NIGHT! I am going crazy!!!!

I wash my face each night before bed, & I WASH the full-face mask
every night too. Stupid thing still leaks after about 4-5 hours.

I re-position the mask...then turn the machine back on.
After the ramping is done...sure enough..it leaks air again.

Are we supposed to buy a new mask every 6 months or something?
This seems to be what I am stuck doing.

The mask fits fine & was SO AWESOME when I first began using CPAP
a year ago...because I was able to get a restful sleep! Not anymore.

HELP!!!

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 4:17 am

Most insurance will replace a mask every 3 months if needed. If you don't have insurance you can buy just the replacement
cushons.
https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... -face.html

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 7:15 am

WHERE is it leaking?
If you're talking about the Quattro which is in your profile, until recently (when they apparently came out with a new elbow for it), they had a reputation for leaking at the elbow in the front of the mask. It can sound/feel like it's leaking everywhere if you don't know where to look.
Here's a "search" link to all the posts in the past about "Teflon" tape and how it was used to fix that leak I'm referring to.

viewtopic/t47452/search.php?keywords=Teflon

PS. The ResMed Ultra Mirage Full Face (UMFF) is a better mask than the Quattro. I believe ResMed came up with the Quattro because it was cheaper to make (less parts)......and screwed up in the process......IMO.

I'm still using the very same UMFF mask I started out with in May of 2005.......same, original seals and only had to change the headgear in April of this year.

Den

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 8:30 am

Wulfman, my wife has an appt to out DME to get a BiPAP and full setup tomorrow. She has been using a Quattro with reasonable success, but the leakage is just horrible. I already fixed the elbow, but she still battles with the skirt leaking from various locations through the night. I'll talk to her about the UMFF but any other suggestions? How often should she replace the skirts on the Quattro and does insurance replace parts of the whole mask frame too?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:01 am

Llama wrote:Wulfman, my wife has an appt to out DME to get a BiPAP and full setup tomorrow. She has been using a Quattro with reasonable success, but the leakage is just horrible. I already fixed the elbow, but she still battles with the skirt leaking from various locations through the night. I'll talk to her about the UMFF but any other suggestions? How often should she replace the skirts on the Quattro and does insurance replace parts of the whole mask frame too?

I haven't worn my Quattro enough to wear out the seal that came on it......probably only a couple of months worth. I've read various stories on the forum about how long the seals last, but I take them all with "a grain of salt". The one I have was also one of those "leakers" that I fixed with Teflon tape, so I know of what I speak on that issue. On the other hand, I DID find the Quattro to be comfortable to wear and was pretty quiet.

It's possible that your wife's mask is the wrong size. That's another "issue" with those masks (especially if it was not properly sized). If it was purchased from a local DME, the chances go up for it being the wrong size.
Having a mask too tight, too loose or not adjusted properly can also be reasons for leakage, too.

I wear my masks with the top straps very loose and any tension needed is on the bottom straps.....and the forehead support in the most upright/forward position (on the Quattro, the dial is turned all the way to the right). If you have any "angle" on the forehead support, it pulls the upper part of the seal away from the nose and can cause leaking in that area.

Another thing to consider with mask leaks is the type of bed pillow that's used. A "regular" bed pillow can lead to severe leakage. There are various types of pillows that work better with or are designed for this therapy. Everybody's preferences vary on this subject. I've been using the Chiroflow/Mediflow water-based pillow for some years before I started this therapy and it's worked great since I started therapy.

Use #5 in the following link to determine the proper size.

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-sizing.php

I found that size-wise, the Quattro can run just a wee bit larger than the same size in a UMFF. The price for the seals on either of those masks is "minimal" compared to the cost of a complete mask (especially when purchased from CPAPAuction.com or CPAP.com). I can't speak on the insurance replacement coverage for replacing the mask parts as I've purchased all of my spare masks and seals out-of-pocket over the years. It would have been more expensive to use insurance because I've never met my deductible since 2005......in fact, I haven't been to a doctor since then.

Den

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:22 am

Llama, use the quattro. I originally used the UMFF and had a terrible time with that leaking. The quattro was the only mask that I could get that didn't leak, but every face is different. As Wolfman said, mask size and adjustment is very important with any mask but seems to be more so with the quattro. My DME adjusted the mask for me and after I washed the straps, I had problems with it leaking again. I had to take the instructions and sit down and read through them, then put the mask on in front of a mirror with the instruction there then without. I did this several times until I have it right.

I was told that the cushions on the quattro are known to wear out fast and I would probably need what my insurance allows as replacement cushions. My insurance BCBS covers two new cushions a month. I did find that normally the cushions do not wear out that fast. I had one wear out in about three weeks but normally they last much longer and I don't go through two a month. I look at the cushion and if their is any discoloration to the cushion I pitch it and put a new one on. Also if I start having higher leaks than normal for me I double check the cushion for discoloration and/or being torn or anything, then wash it again good. If it still leaks I pitch it.

As Wolfman said if you don't have insurance the best place I found was cpapauction.com for replacement cushions.

Gerry

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:23 am

I am using an UM ffm for about 14mths. I think the seal is working better the longer I use it.

Now, is that because the mask/seal are working better as time goes on...
or am I just getting better at dealing w/the mask as time goes on????

Whatever it is, I'm not going to change anything.

Llama · Post by **Llama** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:37 am

Gerryk wrote:My insurance BCBS covers two new cushions a month.

Wow, we are switching from UHC to Anthem BCBS (Virginia) next month. I will definitely call them next month to figure out their replacement schedule, but good to see that they replace the skirts more often than the frames. Her Quattro was indeed fit by the DME and seems to fit fine when we start, but over the course of the night it will leak LOUDLY (@15cm) which forces her awake to readjust. The leaks seem the worst by her eyes.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:42 am

carbonman wrote:I think the seal is working better the longer I use it.

That's been my experience (with the UMFF), too.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post, that there is a sizing template that can be downloaded from the ResMed website for sizing the Quattro (at least). I'd suggest using that, too.

In my opinion, "discoloration" in the cushion doesn't mean diddly squat. That's a bizarre reason to throw away a mask or seal.

Den

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 9:50 am

A leak near the eyes could be a few things. The dial is turned out too far, the mask if sitting too high on the face, the mask is the wrong size IE too big, or she has it too tight.

I wouldn't wait until next month when you switch. I would get your group info and call your insurance now to find out what will be covered and if what suppliers are in your network. Do it now so your not running around after the switch.

As far as the discoloration, I have found that when my mask begins to discolor from the oils from my skin that it does start to leak. The discoloration is a sign for me that it is getting close to being thrown out. Every person's skin and hair is different and produces oils differently and has different chemicals on their skin. I don't know if a woman not removing makup would have any effect on the cushion or it's ability to seal.

Gerry

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 10:05 am

LSAT wrote:Most insurance will replace a mask every 3 months if needed. If you don't have insurance you can buy just the replacement
cushons.
https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... -face.html

I use Liberty for my supplies. what a mistake they were. Anyway my insurance will replace the mask but it seems like they really fight about replacing the head gear. (Liberty) I had a problem with a mask. I talked to liberty the rep. talkee me into changing my mask from a Nasal pillow to a Ultra Mirage II Nasal CPAP Mask. I could not get the mask to fit right so I went back to the mask I use now a Mirage Swift II Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask I really had to fight with Liberty to get them to go back to the mask I was using.
Then they demanded that I send them back the used mask. I talked to my insurance and they said being as it was already paid for it was mine to keep. So I kept it. I have noticed a couple of things about Liberty. They bill your insurance, then when they get their money they ship the item to you. Yet if I call my insurance Medicare they jack you around about any supplies (getting them authorized) BC/BS FEHB pays for all of the CPAP supplies.

Gerryk · Post by **Gerryk** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:30 am

My insurance BCBS of illinois pretty much follows what Medicare allows. I am allowed a new mask every three months and new headgear every 6 months. I am not sure about all places but I have found that the price of a new mask includes new headgear. I quickly found out that some suppliers were removing the headgear if you weren't at the six month mark and said insurance only pays for that every 6th month. I also saw that many of these masks come with a bag to keep the mask in. I see that the same thing happens with some suppliers they take the bag out and say you only get that every 6 months when you get headgear.

Other than selling the headgear separately what can they be doing with it? The bag for the Quattro is a nice bag and could be used for many things so I could see that disappearing.

Gerry

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:08 pm

Gerryk wrote:My insurance BCBS of illinois pretty much follows what Medicare allows. I am allowed a new mask every three months and new headgear every 6 months. I am not sure about all places but I have found that the price of a new mask includes new headgear. I quickly found out that some suppliers were removing the headgear if you weren't at the six month mark and said insurance only pays for that every 6th month. I also saw that many of these masks come with a bag to keep the mask in. I see that the same thing happens with some suppliers they take the bag out and say you only get that every 6 months when you get headgear.

Other than selling the headgear separately what can they be doing with it? The bag for the Quattro is a nice bag and could be used for many things so I could see that disappearing.

Gerry

Liberty never sends the bag that comes with my mask and head gear. They send it in a plastic bag.

Rebecca R · Post by **Rebecca R** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 1:13 am

carbonman wrote:I am using an UM ffm for about 14mths. I think the seal is working better the longer I use it.

Now, is that because the mask/seal are working better as time goes on...
or am I just getting better at dealing w/the mask as time goes on????

Whatever it is, I'm not going to change anything.

No kidding!!!! If I didn't know better I would accuse you of Photoshopping that graph.

I got my card reader last week, and can see why I am not feeling any better. Using the median to measure the results is not more robust, as resmed claims, it is a way to make it look like the therapy is working better than it is. Now that I have seen your graph, I am embarrassed about how terrible mine all look. My leak line looks like a cross section of the Rocky Mountains. Seriously-- no Photoshop????

I replaced the pillows on my mask week and it leaks just as bad as the old one. I have a Quattro, but it itches my face so bad that I have trouble sleeping, but I would replace the cushion before buying a new mask, unless I just wanted a new mask. Next one I think will be a hybrid.
r

carbonman · Post by **carbonman** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 7:49 am

Rebecca R wrote: Seriously-- no Photoshop??

Seriously--no Photoshop.

Here's a couple of nights ago data.

Here is the summary since I started using the S8.

I feel as good as those numbers look.

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