I have the Ultra Mirage full face Mask. How can I stop leak

[fidelfs]

Hi,

I have been using Opus 360 mask with good results, but I want to try another mask I got. It is the Ultra Mirage full face mask.
I tried last night and I had leaks, specially when sleeping on my back, it was like a balloon was inflated after a few seconds. The mask start "inflating" and I lost the seal and it sounded very weird. (Sorry but it sounded like a f*a*r*t).

I tried to move the forehead support a little and it helped also a little. My problem is sleeping on my back, I was able to reduce the leak while sleeping on my side.

What else can I do to improve the seal? Is there a website with instructions? or Youtube?

[RipVW]

I use the UMFF mask, my favorite mask. Key to minimizing/stopping those leaks (and crazy sounds!) for me has been to adjust the headgear straps (not too tight, not too loose--just trial & error to achieve a balance between the top and bottom straps) AND to adjust the forehead piece. That forehead support angle is critical to equalize the pressure around the rest of the mask, I believe. Good luck!

[KatieW]

Resmed.com has information on all their products. I didn't see a fitting video for the Ultra Mirage FF, but there is one for the Quattro, another FF Mask. Perhaps it will help:

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/mirag ... s&sec=true

[Julie]

Hi, I use one, and have for a long time. The first thing to do is be very sure that you have the right size (I use an odd one, the small shallow) because all the fiddling in the world won't help the wrong size. The second thing is, don't be shy about e.g. pulling the whole thing down 1-2 cms or whatever to help the fit, but with each wiggle, lift it off your face just enough to let the cushion reinflate. If you can't do that, you have it too tight to begin with and that can cause leaks in 'vulnerable' places if other places push too much air into them (it's all very miniscule, but the mask 'knows'). Third, do you really need to sleep on your back? It's the worst position for provoking apneas and most of us do anything to avoid it. They may have made you sleep that way during the study, so they could document the worst possible scenario for you, but that's the only time you should be doing it if you have a choice. I sleep on my stomach, on a big, firm slab of very good quality, 4" of foam (on top of my mattress) into which I've used a turkey knife to cut out a 10 inch long (top to bottom), 3 inch wide (it widens more over time) cut-out at the top of the slab, and that allows the front of the mask to dip into the trench and not either give me a sore neck or off-kilter mask. That mask is also good (for tummy sleeping) because as you know it does NOT vent right from the 90 degree elbow where it turns to join the hose (and would be blocked by my foam or mattress), but from a different place entirely, so I don't reinhale any CO2. But then I've always been known to be a bit weird !

[montana]

I used the ultra mirage for over 2 years. I kinda put up with the leaks and VERY dry mouth. I used to use a u shape piece of old t shirt over the bridge of my nose. I finally went in a tried several more masks. I could not get them to not leak around my eyes especially. Just keep trying you will get the right one. I finally got the right one.

[fidelfs]

I had try this mask for the last 2 nights. This is what it is happening to me.

The upper straps are tight just to let the head supports touch my forehead.
Then I release the lower straps and let the mask inflate and I start pulling the mask against my face slowly (all kind of noices at this moment. ). When I don't have any more noise or leak I use the velcro to secure the straps.
The face maintains the seal inflated but in a few seconds I feel like a little bubble is making the way out between my face and the mask.
This is happening when I am in laying on my back (I usually don't sleep on my back but I use this position to get sleepy before I turn to any side. I have been doing this since I was a kid). This happen more often on my face right side.


So, then I tight a little more the lower straps, I pull the mask from my face (not releasing the straps), let it inflate and again I feel a little bubble making the way out of my face and the mask. (please read this paragraph 10 times).

After doing all that, I ended up with a very tight mask, specially on my right side. The seal is a little inflated on my left, but the mask frame is touching my right side, no seal inflated on right side. Then I stopped leaks and I can go to sleep, then I wake up don't know I have slept but I wake up several time and I have to pull the mask, let it inflate and put it back.

Why I am doing this? Well, I am happy with the Opus 360 but my sinus is acting up. I have congestion (not when Using the opus) but when I wake up and runny nose, sneezing, etc. Allergies!!!!.
When I am using the UM mask, my sinus next day are not that severe (maybe an 85% improve from nights with Opus 360).

My problem is this Opus 360, beautiful night sleep, rested but congested, runny nose, sneezing, miserable all day after the use (this is happening for about 1 week).
Ultra mirage mask, No sleep, not rested, pain for the straps, waking up often but sinus great, almost no sneezing, runny nose but not that severe, so next morning tired but not miserable with allergies.

If I can fix the UM mask then I will so happy and rested, any suggestions?

[TXKajun]

I've used the UMFF for about 5 years now very successfully. But it was a bit of a trial at first.

A few suggestions: 1) wash your face with soap and water and dry it well just before going to bed. 2) wash your mask, especially the seal, and dry it before going to bed. 3) do your first mask adjustment at your regular pressure and lying on your back. Get the lower straps centered before starting to tighten them. 4) tighten the lower straps only enough to stop leaking, then pull the mask away from your face about 1/4" and gently lower it back. 5) put the forehead piece at the middle setting and tighten the upper straps till just comfortable. 6) pull mask away and place back on face like in 4. 6) turn head left and right to check for leaks. If you have leaks, tighten the lower straps just until the leak stops. 7) repeat #6. adjust forehead piece to most comfortable. 9) make sure the bottom of the mask is almost off the bottom of your chin. 10) Sleep the night away.

One thing I've done is use a product called "Mack's Pillow-soft Ear Plugs" to help with leaky spots. You can find it at WalMart. They're little circles of silicon that you can roll out into a thin string and then press onto your mask where it leaks. That seems to help a bunch till I managed to get the mask adjusted just right.

Good luck!

Kajun