Need new mask...cant take the Quattro straps anymore

[Suddenly Worn Out]

The Resmed Mirage Quattro FFM has served me well for years and it handles my jaw drop great. But I just have hit rock bottom recently with regards to recurrent sinus/ear infections on the left side. Its caused by tight mask straps as they cross over my eustacean tube area on the left side. The only way Ive been able to wear the Quattro without getting a lot of leaks is to tighten it down tight. Ive tried loose and loose equals leaks. Wearing it like Resmed says to...loose...does not work.

So, what are my options? Chin straps dont work for me. It has to be another full face mask, one that will work without having to be cinched down real tight. The tightness is causing ear and sinus probs on my left side and I cannot take that anymore. It has become full blown nerve wracking for me, I go from one sinus/ear infection to another recently and its wearing me out.

Im open to any and all ideas. Another full face mask. padding for the straps for the Quattro. Id consider going to a loose nasal mask like the Activa in combo with a custom made dental device to seal my mouth.

Thanks

[Denial Dave]

I had some complaints about the resmed quattro straps causing pain at the back of my neck...

Karen at Padacheek has some nice fleece strap covers that cover back of the straps. she calls them neck pads

http://padacheek.com/PAC-Neck.html

They solved my problem..... it was just enough cushion that I needed.

[Suddenly Worn Out]

Does that padacheek prevent tissue from being pinched? I need a full face mask that does not have to be cinched down real tight and still not leak much.

thanks,

[MyIdaho]

I'd suggest you also try the padacheek anti-leak strap as well. I wear the anti leak strap (below the ear) with modest degree of tightness. It puts slight downward pressure on the entire mask. It stopped my leaks and results in a comfortable fit.

[LSAT]

Does that padacheek prevent tissue from being pinched? I need a full face mask that does not have to be cinched down real tight and still not leak much.

thanks,

The Quattro is not designed to be worn tight. It should float on a pad of air. Have you watched the wearing instructions?

[DoriC]

Just a thought, have you lost or gained much weight in all these years? If so, it's possible you may need a different size. My husband always used a Medium but was having significant leaking until we changed to a Small and now mask does not have to be clamped down and no leaks. I didn't think his facial contours had changed much over the years but they obviously did.

[49er]

As one who feels I was on my way to my best night of sleep on the machine last night before my quattro FX made bleeping mask fart noises, I feel your pain.

One thing you might consider trying if the other suggestions don't work is mask leak sealant that divers use:

http://tinyurl.com/abf85yp

After the noise woke me up, I put a layer on last night and the noises stopped. I didn't have overly tighten the straps Unfortunately, my sleep was degraded but that is another post:)

If you do decide to order it, to save money, you can ask that it be sent by regular mail for around a $2.00 delivery charge. Otherwise, they will charge you a $7 delivery which in my opinion is highway robbery.

Also to be honest, I don't know if using this product shortens the life of the mask or not. But I have no choice but to use it since the Padacheck products unfortunately have not worked for me even though I realize that for most people, they are a godsend.

49er

[Denial Dave]

The pad-a-cheek mask liner on my Quattro has helped stop the leaks that happen after my facial oils build up during the night. Someone here likened it to being a gasket between your face and the silicone cushion.



The narrow resmed headgear straps have no cushioning on them. They got to be really annoying on the back of my neck.

The pad-a-cheek fleece neck pad provided me with just enough cushion to eliminate the annoyance for me. I trimmed off the part of the neck pad that covers the headgear straps that extend around & under your ears.

If I was handy, I'd make a pad that covered just the back of the neck section of the headgear straps.

[VikingGnome]

My search for FF masks that fit and didn't leak was unproductive. Two masks you should AVOID are:

RESPIRONICS AMARA: This mask is horrible. It is very noisy and has jet air vents that are very annoying. The air coming into mask is at nose/mouth and feels like a mini hurricane inside the mask all night.

F&P FORMA: a lot of people like this mask as it seals at the edge of the chin instead of under the lower lip. It was the ONLY FF mask that didn't leak and the small actually fit me. However, it has a single layer of silicone covering a foam insert instead of an air cushion. The mask caused my face to sweat all night. The headgear is very bulky and wider than normal. It is not very stretchy and is 5-point instead of standard 4-point. My head felt "caged" all night. Several users have posted that they have to really cinch the straps tight to keep it from leaking. Oh, and the forehead cushion is crap. It's just two little rubber things wide apart with nothing in between. I cut off the forehead pad from Pad-a-Cheek mask liner to put on the forehead support. Couldn't use the mask liner on it because it has vent holes on the mask besides on the swivel.

Fortunately for me, I no longer need a FF mask and am very pleased with Activa LT.

[Janknitz]

Be sure to take a look at my Taming the Mirage Quattro blog entry. With this technique the top straps are very loose all the tightening comes from the lower straps. It's probably the top strap that are causing issues for you. Padacheek wraps would help distribute the pressure, too.

Be sure to get a new cushion if yours is older than a month or two.

Personally the Padacheek liner is wonderful but the anti leak strap caused me a lot of pain. But it might work for you.

[Denial Dave]

Big +1 on jans comment

"Taming the Mirage quattro" was my path to success with the Quattro

I have a printed copy of it next to my machine & gave a copy of it recently to a friend having problems.

[49er]

Hi VG,

When the Amara came out, it sounded like a dream mask. Not that reviews are everything but I was concerned that the ones written on cpap.com were not all that positive. I am so glad I didn't buy it.

I really wish I could wear a nasal pillow mask but that is another topic for another day.

49er

My search for FF masks that fit and didn't leak was unproductive. Two masks you should AVOID are:

RESPIRONICS AMARA: This mask is horrible. It is very noisy and has jet air vents that are very annoying. The air coming into mask is at nose/mouth and feels like a mini hurricane inside the mask all night.

F&P FORMA: a lot of people like this mask as it seals at the edge of the chin instead of under the lower lip. It was the ONLY FF mask that didn't leak and the small actually fit me. However, it has a single layer of silicone covering a foam insert instead of an air cushion. The mask caused my face to sweat all night. The headgear is very bulky and wider than normal. It is not very stretchy and is 5-point instead of standard 4-point. My head felt "caged" all night. Several users have posted that they have to really cinch the straps tight to keep it from leaking.

Fortunately for me, I no longer need a FF mask and am very pleased with Activa LT.

[cosmo]

I'm in the same boat. For me, if the Quattro is not very snug on the bottom straps, its leak city. I've managed to use it loose on the bottom and leak free but it didn't last for very long. I don't think padding would help because it would still be tight but with cushions now.

It might have to due with your head shape. Some people have problems and others dont.

[jencat824]

Well, it sounds like the Amara didn't work for anyone here, but my hubby likes his & isn't having too many leaks. Occasionally leaks around the eyes have woken him up. It seems to seal better than my Quattro FX, my experience with the Quattro was not good, it is larger than my face. Anyway, if you've tried everything else, maybe the Amara would work. I know its not a very popular mask, but seems to be working for my hubby.

[Suddenly Worn Out]

Yes, I have watched the instructions multiple times and read the instructions multiple times. I use high pressures (over 10) and Im sorry, I just cannot get the thing to seal when I let it loosen up as the instructions say to. Ive told the RTs over the years that and Ive even had them admit to me that when the pressures get high, leaks are inevitable with full face masks.

Eric

Does that padacheek prevent tissue from being pinched? I need a full face mask that does not have to be cinched down real tight and still not leak much.

thanks,

The Quattro is not designed to be worn tight. It should float on a pad of air. Have you watched the wearing instructions?