Help with leakage - New CPAP user

johall15 · Post by **johall15** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:33 am

I'm fairly new to the CPAP world. I've been on the CPAP for about 3 weeks. I'm getting much better sleep than I used to. I'm using a full mask (Flexifit 431) and wake up several times though the night with leaks. I have adjusted the straps several times and it doesn't seem to make it any better. Last night I tightened it even more and seemed to have fewer leaks, but today the bridge of my nose is red and hurts when applying pressure.

My Dr. has me on a pressure setting of 18. As I understand, that's a fairly high setting, and probably the reason for the leakage. I don't seem to notice the problems during the ramp-up period, just as the machine nears full force.

Do I just live with the leaks, or is there some other way to adjust the mask to stop the leaks?

Please help! My wife is almost as annoyed with the leaks as she was my snoring!

Thank You!!!

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CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 1:44 am

Hi johall, and welcome to the board.

That mask is one I could never get to work, myself, even after using it for eight months. It was either so tight it cut into my flesh, or so loose it leaked. There was no in between. Many other people, though, have used that mask successfully. It really just depends on the person.

If you absolutely can't get this one adjusted in a way that fits, and you have to use a full face mask because of mouth breathing, I suggest trying the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask instead. That one worked for me, anyway. In my opinion, it was much more comfortable than the 431, and it leaked a lot less.

Another full face mask folks like around here is the Hybrid. Maybe someone else will chime in on that one.

It sounds like you might be a stomach sleeper like me. If you are, nasal pillows generally work much better for stomach sleepers. I like the TwilightNP myself, as do many other stomach sleepers around here. For those that mouth breathe, our solution (I know this sounds scary) is to tape our mouths so we can still use this more comfortable kind of mask. It's amazing what we'll do for sleep around here.

I know this is can all be scary/confusing - but, in general, the hardest part of CPAP treatment is finding the right mask. It's challenging, because the only way to find the right mask for you is through trial and error - and that can be expensive and tiring. But stick with it - it's worth it. This treatment is truly life-changing. Good luck,and happy papping!

--CG

pedroski · Post by **pedroski** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 3:06 am

Gidday Jo,

I've tried the following masks: Ultra Mirage II, Mirage Activa & Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask and preferred the Full Face out of those, but I couldn't stop it leaking (I have a beard though). Then my brother in law told me about the Swift and I took to it like a duck to water. I find it comfortable, and I still get the odd leak, but it's by far the least leaking of any mask I've tried.

Like College Girl said, the mask is the biggest challenge, and it's very personal - what works for one may not work for another. We have different shaped and sized faces and noses.

The main thing is to perservere until you nail it, which you will. There are lots of stories on the forum of guys who've really slugged it out but then got it sorted.

Hang in there, it will get better.

Peter

Lyza · Post by **Lyza** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 5:12 am

Also try to get off the RAMP...

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 6:41 am

Good comment, try to get asleep without ramp. It allows you to set your mask and get rid of the leakage before getting asleep. It only takes approx. one or two minutes to get used to the pressure, and, day after day it will get easier.

Also, there are different sizes and shapes for some full face mask. I use the twilight NP successfully, but I have also a resmed FF.

At the beginning of my therapy, my DME gave me a RESMED FF Mirage large regular, but I couldn't stop the leaks. Then I tried the same one, in the Shallow version, it was better, but still having leaks, finally I tried the Shallow medium and it fitted without leaks.

Good luck

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:20 pm

Andre56 accidentally guested wrote:At the beginning of my therapy, my DME gave me a RESMED FF Mirage large regular, but I couldn't stop the leaks. Then I tried the same one, in the Shallow version, it was better, but still having leaks, finally I tried the Shallow medium and it fitted without leaks.

Excellent point by Andre about the "Shallow" cushion for the Ultra Mirage FF mask. A nurse who works the support lines for resmed once told someone that in her opinion the "Shallow" cushion fits more people better than the "Standard" cushion.

If a "Standard" Large, Medium, or Small size Ultra Mirage doesn't quite work...almost, but not quite...try the Shallow cushion. "Shallow" is a tad shorter up/down from bridge of nose to under the mouth in FF models (or bridge of nose to under the nostrils in nasal models) and is a tad wider. The inverted V cut-out at the bridge of the nose is a little blunter in the Shallow. Not as sharply Vee'd as in the Standard. "Shallow" works better for me in any nasal or full face mask that offers a "Standard" or "Shallow" cushion.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:28 pm

CollegeGirl wrote:For those that mouth breathe, our solution (I know this sounds scary) is to tape our mouths

Links to: Mouth leaks - Air Leaks - Tape - DIY Guard
viewtopic.php?t=8011

johall, I used several different full face masks during my first 6 months. I very much disliked a FF mask. I finally started taping my lips securely shut so that I could wear other types of masks that were much more comfortable for me.

My favorite mask for a long time now is the one College Girl mentioned -- Invacare's Twilight NP (nasal pillows), formerly called the "Aura" mask or "Headrest" mask. Before that, my favorite was the Breeze with nasal pillows.

I'd not have been able to use either of them if I didn't mouth-tape. I'd have still been stuck (no pun intended) with bulky, often leaky, full face masks.

Of course, one has to be able to breathe through at least one nostril if they want to use tape to get away from full face masks.

carl · Post by **carl** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 12:31 pm

You guys (and gals) are great really good advice.

I have the same mask (came with a sm., med. and lg insert) and had to play some to ge the right insert. Also took me a bit of time before I when to the manual to see how to properly fit the mask (I know a guy thing). I still find I am re-adjusting it every few days, but by adjusting the straps on the top of my head I did get a better fit around the bridge of my nose.