CPAP mask straps way too tight!

[krr643500]

These masks are not intended to be worn tight. The silicone cushion inflates with the pressure and if you pull it too tight the cushion cannot inflate...that's what makes the seal. Suggest that you have the machine running when you put on the mask so the cushion is inflated as you place it against your face.

My mask cushions DO NOT INFLATE! The air pressure fills the mask and the cushion is there only for comforr and to create the seal. Im confused by the statements that the cushion should inflate. My mask pressure is so strong it seems to alnost lift tge mask off my face if i dont keep it tight enough.

[Pugsy]

My mask cushions DO NOT INFLATE!

All masks inflate...some more than others.
Not inflate like a balloon inflates but they all inflate.

[ChicagoGranny]

CPAP: Resmed Airsense 10 Autoset with Humidifier
Mask: Resmed Airsense 20 Full Face Mask
Pressure setting: 14.0

Please fill out your equipment profile - https://www.cpaptalk.com/ucp.php?i=prof ... pment_info

This waa the setting my doctor prescribed based on my sleep study results. It is not a variable setting as far as i know

If your machine is an AutoSet, it can be set to vary the pressure depending on your body's needs. Pressure needs vary throughout the night and from night to night. Among experienced forum members, auto pressure settings are more popular than a single pressure.

To get your therapy optimized, please read the thread, "Pugsy's Pointers...SleepyHead Tutorial and TX Hints" - it's at the top of the index page.

[LSAT]

These masks are not intended to be worn tight. The silicone cushion inflates with the pressure and if you pull it too tight the cushion cannot inflate...that's what makes the seal. Suggest that you have the machine running when you put on the mask so the cushion is inflated as you place it against your face.

My mask cushions DO NOT INFLATE! The air pressure fills the mask and the cushion is there only for comforr and to create the seal. Im confused by the statements that the cushion should inflate. My mask pressure is so strong it seems to alnost lift tge mask off my face if i dont keep it tight enough.

The Airsense F20 DEFINITELY inflates
https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/v ... k&fr=yfp-t

[Julie]

When it feels like it's lifting off, it may well seem to be doing that - the cushion inflating gives that impression, but unless you have big leaks rather than just the sensation you're doing fine.

[ChicagoGranny]

Mask: Resmed Airsense 20 Full Face Mask

No AirSense mask. There is AirFit and AirTouch. Which do you have?

[Janknitz]

My mask straps are not elastic. They just have velcro adjustments and magnetic snaps.

Then you should enter your user profile with the correct information. ResMed makes two AirXXX 20 masks, one with an air cushion called the AirFIT 20 and one with a memory foam cushion called the AirTouch 20. https://www.resmed.com/us/en/consumer/p ... eries.html No such thing as an AirSense 20 mask--and we aren't mind readers to know which one you have.

You seem to be pretty hostile to attempts to help. A simple "I have a memory foam cushion, not an air filled cushion" would do.

Memory foam cushions do wear out, too (probably faster than air cushions), and if you find yourself needing to tighten it more, it's time for a replacement. And even if there's no "elastic" your straps have some soft velcro parts which DO stretch out.

Really we are trying to help.

[krr643500]

First thank you to everyone that replied, but I think I need to reiterate a few points since sone of you dont seem to understand what I'm talking about.
1) My cpap machine DOES NOT AUTO ADJUST PRESSURE. It stays at a steady 14 cm the whole time. This is verified my the MyAir app which gives me daily reports. Pressure level does not change.
2) The mask is not the problem, it is the straps. If I do not tighten the straps enough, the air pressure pushes the mask up off my face, usually at the point just above the chin, causing a leak. The only way to stop this is to tighten the straps where they connect via the magnetic clips tight enough so that the pressure doesnt push it off my face.
3) I have no problems with hose length. It is long enough that I can sleep on my side.
4) I receive a new mask and head gear every six months. Sometimes this problem is worse than others. Currently it is very bad. I haven't slept in three nights bc of it.
5) I am not being hostile at your attempts to help me. I am simply frustrated because I seem to not be communicating my problem very well. The mask does not produce the sensation that it is lifting off my face or leaking, it is doing that. I am at a loss on what to do. I have tightened the straps so much that now I am getting headaches. I will be contacting my DME company in the morning to arrange to order a new mask. Has anyone had success with the FitLife total face mask? That's the one I'm leaning towards.

Once again thanks for all the replies. Hopefully my next post will be a better update.

KR

[Julie]

First of all... I think there's a misconception re 'inflating'. You won't see or feel it as you might with a balloon, but the thin little bit of silicone should not be squashed flat but allowed to be 'cushioned' on a tiny air supply that begins when the mask is seated and machine turned on - more like a tiny ridge of inflation (mm) than a big blowup. You can't be aware of it as much as you might realize that it's totally flat (vs slightly raised) if you have it tightened down too much. It's a fine thing, not a big diff, but it matters all the same. It should be ALMOST off your face by such a tiny amt that you barely feel it - hovering as such (while BARELY touching) vs mashed.

The trouble you have is that when that happens you feel leaks - but that means it is otherwise not adjusted, not the right size and/or just not the right mask for you. So loosen it right up, order a 'mask liner' from Padacheek.com and see if that helps with leaks. If not, then you might have to try other masks. We DO get it - been there, done it, all that, but you need to believe we get it and go from there.

And please respond to whether or not you've lost or gained even 5-10 lbs recently because it can definitely make a diff. to how masks fit.

[prodigyplace]

I also have trouble adjusting to full face masks. Perhaps it is worth considering a pillow mask or something like the Bleep DreamPort.

[ChicagoGranny]

I also have trouble adjusting to full face masks. Perhaps it is worth considering a pillow mask or something like the Bleep DreamPort.

She's using a FFM for a reason. Her mouth comes open during sleep. Why would you recommend a nasal-only interface without a warning about mouth breathing and mouth leaks??

[Barbee]

First thank you to everyone that replied, but I think I need to reiterate a few points since sone of you dont seem to understand what I'm talking about.
1) My cpap machine DOES NOT AUTO ADJUST PRESSURE. It stays at a steady 14 cm the whole time. This is verified my the MyAir app which gives me daily reports. Pressure level does not change.
2) The mask is not the problem, it is the straps. If I do not tighten the straps enough, the air pressure pushes the mask up off my face, usually at the point just above the chin, causing a leak. The only way to stop this is to tighten the straps where they connect via the magnetic clips tight enough so that the pressure doesnt push it off my face.
3) I have no problems with hose length. It is long enough that I can sleep on my side.
4) I receive a new mask and head gear every six months. Sometimes this problem is worse than others. Currently it is very bad. I haven't slept in three nights bc of it.
5) I am not being hostile at your attempts to help me. I am simply frustrated because I seem to not be communicating my problem very well. The mask does not produce the sensation that it is lifting off my face or leaking, it is doing that. I am at a loss on what to do. I have tightened the straps so much that now I am getting headaches. I will be contacting my DME company in the morning to arrange to order a new mask. Has anyone had success with the FitLife total face mask? That's the one I'm leaning towards.

Once again thanks for all the replies. Hopefully my next post will be a better update.

KR

I wore the F20 for many months. The headgear does stretch...even if it doesnt seem like it could. Mine always stretched across the top which threw the entire mask out of whack. I would try washing the headgear and see if you can shrink it back to normal, or order new headgear. Do you use The Mask Fit feature on your machine?

[JXG]

You might try one of the under-the-nose full face masks like the DreamWear Full Face, Resmed F30, or Amara View. They cover a smaller area on the face so there is less lifting force from the air pressure inside the mask.

[D.H.]

Try loosening the straps, perhaps more than you think you ought to. Also make sure it is even (left vs right) and check the relative tightness of upper vs lower.

Also, wash your face every night before putting on the mask on and wash the cushion that touches your face every morning.

[gv280z]

Wash the mask too, daily. They get totally covered in facial oils and sweat. Yuck. I wash with dish soap and hot water nightly, no matter how sleepy I am, or if I forgot to wash the mask earlier, I will not put that thing back on my face two nights in a row without washing first (and shaving for the guys). That will help with leaks as well, clean silicon surface to clean face is all good.

And yes, it's true about the over tightening, I have absolutely experienced leaks from cranking down on the straps. Sometimes you just gotta reset and start from scratch.