Hybrid Leak Problem

Sleepless_in_LM · Post by **Sleepless_in_LM** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:57 pm

On the good side, I have a pretty good DME who is impressed with my little "tricks" to make things work. I keep telling him he should come to this forum and he would know as much as me. He still can't believe I tape my mouth shut! He had never heard of the Hybrid, so he got one from a salesman and gave it to me for free if I serve as his test case. I got it this past Friday

I tried the "stock set-up Friday night and had lots of nasal leaks, so I cut the pillows apart, readjusted and solved that problem. Saturday night I struggled with the mask fit and leaking in the corners, so I cut off the chin support (oh so much more comfortable!) However that still didn't stop the leaks out each side between the clasps. I can get the mask to fit and have no leaks when I sleep on my side, but I find that when I end up on my back, my chin tends to fall towards my chest and the leaks start. According to my numbers, when I am on my side, I have no apneas at all. Problems is I can only handle that for about 3 hours because I just had fusion of several neck vertebrae, so I can only sleep on my side for so long.

Anybody had similar problems and found a fix?? I am really tired of the taping, and had problems with that as well, so I am committed to making this work. Hope somebody has a good suggestion!

quilterB · Post by **quilterB** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:13 pm

I seem to get most of my leaks when I am on my back so I don't have any helpful tips for you, sorry. I can tell you that my leaks have decreased the more I use the mask. I think I just don't move around as much as I get used to it.
Good luck,
Linda

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:28 pm

my chin tends to fall towards my chest and the leaks start

One "trick" that may work for you, is to get a chin-strap and put it over your head and under your chin. This will create "chipmunk cheeks" that will help the corners of the mouth-piece seal. Do this before putting on the Hybrid.

Since I must either make "chipmunk cheeks" or wear my dentures to keep the corners of the Hybrid sealed, I've used this trick several times.

Yes, cutting off the chin-flap does turn the Hybrid into a very nice lightweight
mask. ' '

sidesleeper · Post by **sidesleeper** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 3:54 pm

Just cut the chinflap off one of the cushions you don't need first.

Maryb · Post by **Maryb** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:10 pm

Sleeples_in_LM-
I too have this same problem of no leaks when sleeping on my sides but many leaks when sleeping on my back (and the leaks are in the same location that you mention). I have tried cutting the flap off which was more comfortable but did nothing for the leaks (plus the mask tended to climb up my face during the night). I finally went back to the flapped version in the large cushion because that size cushion is flatter and fits my face better. Some people have noted that there is a difference in curvature (cheek to cheek) between the different cushion sizes with the large size being the flattest. So you might see if the cushion curvature might be an issue for you.
The only thing I can find to get rid of those pesky leaks is too tighten up those lower straps which made the leaks less but then the straps cut into the back of my neck. So currently, I am mostly sleeping on my sides and trying to stay off of my back.

Maryb

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:37 pm

I think leaks are common while sleeping on your back because of the gravitational pull on relaxed facial muscles. The gaps created by the shifting tissue allow for those pesky leaks. I address this problem by placing a rolled towel on my pillow when I'm intending to fall asleep on my back. I simply turn my head and sorta rest my cheek against the rolled towel. This just seems to keep things in place as I fall asleep in this position. (Some neck pillows may do the same thing!)

neverbetter · Post by **neverbetter** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 1:33 pm

That towel roll is good for any mask.

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 7:46 am

Another problem with the Hybrid IMO-is that long elbow-swivel connector combnation-made even longer when you hook up the hose. For me it acts like a little crowbar and everytime it bumps somthing the mask lifts and leaks. I use silicone grease/sealer to help. If the hose is under the blankets it lifts at the top, hose on top of blankets lifts at bottom, laying on side-hits mattress and shifts mask. The sealer almost eliminates any movement though.

Sleepless_in_LM · Post by **Sleepless_in_LM** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 8:53 am

krousseau:
Interesting! What kind of silicone grease/sealer do you use? Any problems with it causing premature wear of the mask material? Can you loosen the the straps a bit by using it? Sounds like it would be worth a try.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:12 am

I removed the swivel from the elbow and hook a activa inlet tube with swivel assy directly to the elbow. Then I hook my aussie hose onto the swivel. This cuts down on the crowbar action. Instead of the hard plastic swivel there is soft flexible tube.
I also found that if I keep the top of the cushion very close to my nose, the chin flap sort of sucks onto my chin and holds it in place all night.
If you haven't already seen it, Rooster had an excellent post about the hybrid;
Roosters Post

Hope this helps,
Brenda

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:16 am

Almost forgot; get a hold of padacheek and she can make you a cover to keep the back of the headgear from cutting into the back of your neck! You can go to padacheek.com and see a picture of it.

Brenda

krousseau · Post by **krousseau** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 9:57 am

A reply got lost in the ethers-here goes again
Ordered Marine Sports Mask Sealer (scube gear)-chapstick sized tube for $5-6 +SH-melts and runs out of tube during shipping so order in winter
Someone else using Harveys Silicone Grease-a plumbling item approved for contact with drinking was according to user-withstands higher temps-question is do you need scalding water to remove it from your face-will let you know if I find it at the hdw store & try it.
Chopped off the connections and got the crowbar a little shorter-make connection more stable with electrical tape
Am putting an order in for a variety of connectors-mask parts for my mask modification kit-will include the Activa connector bdp-thanks. Anyone know where to get an elbow??