Flexifit431 mask exhaust valve question

JRL · Post by **JRL** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:38 am

After a great first night and feeling good all day Friday I settled down to go to sleep Friday night. I noticed slight resistance to exhaling but just thought I hadn't noticed it the first night. I woke up at around 4 in the morning having great difficulty breathing. I pulled the mask off and went back to sleep forgetting about the incedent. All day Saturday I felt exhausted. Saturday night I put the mask on, turned the machine on and the only way I was able to exhale was to exert enough pressure to blow my breath out around the edges of the mask. Looking at the info with the mask there seems to be a one way exhaust valve. My assumption is that this valve has stopped working. Is there something that I can do to fix this? The machine was running at 11, whatever that means.

My wife was skeptical so I made her try it. It was rather humorous to see her cheeks expand as she tried to exhale. I called the local distributor this morning and got the distinct impression that he didn't believe me. I guess he will see for himself in the morning.

Had this happened to someone weaker than me I can easily see how they might have had serious problems.

Gidgie · Post by **Gidgie** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:29 pm

Hi! Welcome to the cpap information station! Call your DME. There is definitly something wrong with the mask. I use the same model, and exhalation is no problem.....not even at higher pressures.

snorzalot · Post by **snorzalot** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 10:06 am

The FlexiFit 431 has three pieces from your humidifer to your mask.

1. The hose
2. The vent valve
3. The elbow connector between the vent valve and the bulk of your mask

Incidentally, the vent valve and the elbow connector should all be detached from the mask and cleaned periodically as well as the silicon seal portion of the mask. At any rate, when I take my vent valve loose, it's easy to examine two little 90 degree angled flaps that rest together inside the vent valve. I would examine them closely to determine they are not clogged, broken, etc. Additionally, small holes exist in the sides of the vent valve, check to make sure they are not blocked.

Technically, if you have to replace parts they are available at
http://www.directhomemedical.com/masks- ... bipap.html (other places sell replacements - this is just an example)

You would need the Elbow kit with vented non-breathing valve for $35.00

Thanks!