Joint Suddenly Leaking, Mask Now Itching

[geekinchief]

So I'm on my third week with CPAP and I managed to get my F20 to basically work by strapping it so hard to my face that it hurt, making it difficult to fall asleep from the pain. Washed the mask and hose the other day and now it's unusable. The silicon feels slimy against my face and keeps getting wet and making me itch and now, perhaps unrelatedly, there's a giant air leak coming out of the joint that connects the hose to the mask. The leak became so bad that the noise woke me up. So far, this is an exercise in physical torture and endurance. It's making it harder to fall asleep and as far as I can tell, it isn't helping me even a little bit.

A.) Do I need a new joint and, if so, why did this one just all of a sudden start spewing air which it wasn't doing even yesterday? Do these joints just wear out a lot?

B.) Why is the silicon edge suddenly becoming slimy on the bottom. I'm not sure if maybe I'm getting saliva on it or what is going on, but it's harder to use than before I washed it. It's leaking more and I have to try to pull the straps even tighter, making it impossible to fall asleep because I'm in pain from the squeezing. This is more like a medieval torture device than a therapy.

I know some may suggest I buy another mask (and throw down another $150 on the off-chance it will be better), but there are a lot of masks out there, and I haven't seen one that looks appreciably better than the F20. I don't like the nasal pillow thing because I have trouble breathing out of my left nostril so it feels weird to have it under my nose (I originally had an F30 but it didn't fit at all) and every other full-face mask looks like it is pretty much the same as the F20 or it's the old-time one hat straps over the top of your head (maybe that's better?).

[Julie]

What a mess!

Wish you had asked for help sooner - but at least you did it now. Overtightening (and to the extent you apparently did) is always counterproductive - doesn't allow the silicone to inflate as needed - the mask should 'hover' - and certainly doesn't help therapeutically. There are many masks out there and different adjustments that can be made, but not if the mask is inherently not suited to you or the right size. Anyhow... you possibly wrecked 'the joint' by pulling too hard on it maybe while you were asleep, and you will have to get another mask or at least ask the dealer to look at the one you have to see if it's fixable (if you really want to keep it rather than trying others), but it seems like a bad idea. And all of this when you're even sleepier than before.

Don't give up though, not yet, as it won't help how you felt before and there are many easier ways to go once you get it sorted out. You do need to try again with other masks (lying down is best for full face ones) and be sure they do fit properly. Don't just go by how they look on paper - try others even if they don't look 'right' and you may be surprised at how they feel 'on'. Get back to this thread with better news as soon as you've found something else.

Do you have no choice but to pay out of pocket for all of it?

[LSAT]

I'm sure the "air leak" is just the exhaust vent. All masks have them. This is removing your CO2. The vent on this mask is circular around the outside of the elbow.
As Julie said...Masks are nor made to be pulled tight. The silicone cushion needs to fill with air in order to seal. If pulled too tight there is no room for air and the mask will leak.

[michaeldwilson]

"Wish you had asked for help sooner - but at least you did it now. Overtightening (and to the extent you apparently did) is always counterproductive - doesn't allow the silicone to inflate as needed - the mask should 'hover' - and certainly doesn't help therapeutically."

I would like help with the idea of the mask hovering.

I'm back trying the CPAP again after quite a layoff. I just need to get better sleep. I worked with the CPAP a few months ago and had some success but the mask wrecked the bridge of my nose. I tried everything: cloth cover (can't remember the name of them), nose coverings, band aids, tape. I recently saw where someone described the proper way to use a mask is to have it hover over one's face. I've tried it and it has been a struggle because I'm up a few hours because of leaks, adjustments, and so on, but I would like to make this work.

Any advice? I'm just not getting the optimal tightness of these masks.

Thanks!

[Julie]

How many FF masks have you really tried out - lying down (important as your face changes a lot then... not so vital for nasal mask) or even looked at on Cpap.com who shows various angles, graphics, reviews, etc?

Some of us went through quite a few at the start before finding 'the' right one(s).

[michaeldwilson]

How many FF masks have you really tried out - lying down (important as your face changes a lot then... not so vital for nasal mask) or even looked at on Cpap.com who shows various angles, graphics, reviews, etc?

Some of us went through quite a few at the start before finding 'the' right one(s).

Thanks for the reply! I've really just tried a FF mask and nose pillows. I've decided to go ahead and try the AirFit F30i. It's an expense but I'm having no luck with a FF mask.

Mike

[Farmerjim]

Take the whole system to where you bought the machine and mask and have them see if the mask fits and the pressure setting is correct. I tried four different mask before I found one fit me correctly.