I am so upset!!!!

[proctor78]

Hi all,
Well I got my machine a week ago along with the quattro full face mask and that mask was causing horrible headaches and if I lossened it then it would leak, so then I got the FX and OMG it is worse leaks horrible and rides up my nose like no other.. I am just so sad i want this to work but out of 7 nights i have had 1 good one.. I guess i will go to the dme to try nasal pillows I am a nose breather, I just done know what else to do I spent 5 hours messing with the mask last night...Any input would be wonderful and yes I watched all the videos about fitting both mask's i dont know if it because i am an active sleeper or what....

[BlackSpinner]

There is a major thread about that mask and fitting it. Enter the name in the search box on the upper left hand side of the screen.

[nanwilson]

Patience and perserverence are the keys to conquering this disease. It takes time and alot of tweeking to get things right. Take a big breath, slow down and try again, you will get it in a day or two. Before too long you will be wondering what all the anxiety was about.
Good luck and good sleeps.

[W_HAMILTON]

Obviously it depends on the shape of each person's head, but I found that you do not need to tighten the forehead straps very much on the Quattro Full Face Mask; whether I really tighten them or leave them loose, it seems like it has little effect on leaks. Instead, the lower straps are what seems to really determine how much my mask leaks. Also, be careful of where on your forehead/temples the straps go. I keep them a little higher than right on my temples. I haven't had headaches for awhile now. Also, getting the right size is VERY important. I had a mess in the sleep lab trying to sleep, but when I got my actual equipment I found that they measured me one size smaller and it fit much better.

Try some of these tips to see if they help, and if not, maybe just give it a bit longer to see if your body adjusts. Even with proper fitting equipment, your body isn't used to sleeping with straps around your head, so it may just take a few days to get used to.

Good luck!

[SleepingUgly]

If you are a nose breather, you don't need to be on a full face mask and will find nasal masks easier to contend with.

[Slinky]

We are all different and there is no one mask that works best for everyone. I had a devil of a time w/the Mirage Quattro and never could get that thin outer cushion cover to NOT slice into the skin at the bridge of my nose. Yet the Quattro FX is the best fitting mask I've tried. I can sleep on my sides and/or back w/little to no problems

I've not been a fan of the nasal pillows style masks, I leak too much thru my lips. On the other hand I did really well w/the old Simplicity simple nasal cushion mask and it was my favorite until I tried the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask which then became my favorite until I tried the Quattro FX full face which I like best of all I've tried.

I probably went thru a dozen masks or better over the first year to two years of PAP use. The Simplicity and the Zzz-Mask I had to do some easy "fixes" to the headgear w/a pair of scissors and some velcro strips. Give each mask a week of trial and error and if it doesn't work out try to get your DME provider to switch it out.

Resmed, PR (Respironics) and Fisher & Paykel will REPLACE FREE to the DME provider most any of their masks that patients have tried and been unsuccessful w/IF the DME provider will fill out a form and return mask and form to the manufacturer so these DME providers should NOT give us the hassle some of them do about exchanging masks until we find THE RIGHT MASK for US.

[proctor78]

Just an update I went to the dme and she said the Fx was not a good fit because the way my nose is shaped so she brought out an opus 360 nasal pillow mask and it seem to fit good so I pray this one works better and I can get a good nights sleep..... Thanks guy's

[ozze_dollar]

I used my nasal pillows last night and they felt pretty good. Will use them again tonight.

[kempo]

ozze, I think most of us have a closet full of mask that didn't work so don't feel like the Lone Ranger. It takes time to find the right mask to get the therapy you need.

Good Luck!

[proctor78]

Ya i am one week in and started my collection already...LOL

[hosehead_dolphy]

Dang... I feel left out. I have been using my CPAP for 1.5 months and I still have only 1 mask!! I am still trying to adjust my full face mask just right because if I turn it tends to leak so I have to readjust it when I turn to stop the leaks but at least I go right back to sleep. My DME said I cannot try a new mask until I have had this one for 3 months

[Slinky]

Dolphy, your DME provider is a cheap rip off jerk. Ask him WHY he doesn't take advantage of the manufacturers' FREE mask replacement policy I mentioned above.

[hosehead_dolphy]

Thank you for that info. Come Monday morning they will be getting a call from me and I will pass that info on to them. I am thinking I would like to try the nasal pillows, full face mask, because I am a mouth breather. Seems to me that most people are happier with the nasal pillows. Hoping that will help me with the leaks when I turn.

[FizzyWater]

I've learned so much reading through all these posts, and I'm beginning to think I've gotten lucky with my DME. My Respiratory Therapist who fitted me for my first mask told me that if I report that I have problems in 30 days of receipt of the mask, I can get a different one at no extra cost. And they didn't want the old one back, either. I'm not sure how it would be if I went through 100 masks or anything...

Sadly, I waited too long after the second mask and now need to wait until my expected replacement (or pay full price, anyway! )

I actually switch back and forth between a nasal pillow mask when my allergies aren't being troublesome (which I love - as far as I can "love" a mask to sleep in) and a nasal mask when I'm partially congested (and this is the mask I'm having problems with).

Fingers crossed for the OP in getting the right mask.

[hosehead_dolphy]

I did say something to my DME about leaking problems with the mask, but they never said anything about switching the mask till I find one that I am comfortable with. I too am learning a lot from reading all the posts on this forum. I appreciate all the info! thanks everyone!