Leaks - HELP

Shari · Post by **Shari** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:49 am

I am hoping the wise people on this forum can help me.

My son just informed me that the leak alarm on my machine goes off all night most nights. Hubby and I obviously sleep right through it. I find this surprising because the leak rate showing on my machine is within the acceptable (intentional) leak rate for the mask. It potentially explains why I have been so sleepy though. If the machine is misreporting the leak rate, is it also misreporting my AHI and AI scores? Recently I have been almost as tired as I was before starting therapy yet the machine data reports an AHI between 4 and 6 and AI never over 1. I am way more tired than this data implies.

I have found a mask I like and that fits well and leaks very little. But I am having a horrible time leaking from my mouth. I have taped it closed using paper tape, but I still leak. My jaw is staying closed (I’ve used a chin strap) my lips are parting and air is forced through the tape. In frustration trying to reign in the leaking I purchased a Hybrid from my DME. I fought with that thing for an hour last night; I could NOT get it to stop leaking. I strapped it down tight enough that it wasn’t flapping on my face finally, but could not get the pillows to stop leaking. It seemed the leaks could have been coming from the attachment to the mask. The DME had them in crooked and they were definitely leaking. Once straight I still had trouble getting them to seat properly and once they felt seated I was still getting huge leaks. Any suggestions for getting the Hybrid leaks under control, or an alternative that will keep my lips closed?

I am currently using the ResMed VPAP III with heated humidifier set to 22/18.

Thanks
Shari

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:53 am

Have you tried Roosters taping method? I use it every night with no leaking!

viewtopic.php?t=9653

Brenda

Shari · Post by **Shari** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 6:58 am

Yes, that is how I am taping, with the exception that I have used two layers of tape when one wasn't stopping the leaks.

JeffH · Post by **JeffH** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:01 am

try leaving the chap stick off. I don't use it and my mouth says sealed with that brand of 2" tape.

JeffH

painterman · Post by **painterman** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 7:02 am

Shari wrote:Yes, that is how I am taping, with the exception that I have used two layers of tape when one wasn't stopping the leaks.

I had trouble making paper tape work. I use 3 inch wide waterproof tape that I got off the internet. I am a dedicated drooler.

Jon

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:54 am

Shari,

My history is similar to yours. I initially used a Swift mask and taped my mouth but during the night I would feel claustrophobic and take the tape off. I had horrible mouth leaks that woke me up all night.

I've been trying to make the Hybrid work. I've had problems with large leaks (according to the software) and my AHIs are unacceptably high. There have been several discussions about having the newer version of the mask that has "adaptive flow technology". Some machines have a problem with the large intentional leak of the mask and the adaptive flow technology is supposed to help that.

My dme doesn't have and doesn't seem to be inclined to get the newer version of the Hybrid, so I'm back to using my Swift.

I have mouth leaks, but seem to have fewer now that I have a bipap machine. I just can't move around much or side sleep well with the Swift.

You might want to see if you have the adaptive flow version of the mask. If the head gear that came with the mask was black on one side and gray on the other, you have the newer version. If the head gear is all black, you have the old mode.

I also used tape to tape the pillows to my nose to try to prevent the leaks. It did help some.

Good luck.

Shari · Post by **Shari** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 12:02 pm

HumanBean, How did you tape the pillows to your nose? I tried that last night and couldn't seem to get it to work.

Painterman, I tried waterproof tape one night. I had an allergic reaction to it and a big red inflamed mark around my mouth for two days. The paper tape does not cause the reaction, but it doesn't seal the air. Hmm... maybe I should put paper tape on my face and the waterproof tape on top of it.

3" wide tape You must be very tall. I have been looking for 1.5" because the 2" is actually too wide, it curls under my chin.

painterman · Post by **painterman** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:41 pm

Shari wrote:HumanBean, How did you tape the pillows to your nose? I tried that last night and couldn't seem to get it to work.

Painterman, I tried waterproof tape one night. I had an allergic reaction to it and a big red inflamed mark around my mouth for two days. The paper tape does not cause the reaction, but it doesn't seal the air. Hmm... maybe I should put paper tape on my face and the waterproof tape on top of it.

3" wide tape You must be very tall. I have been looking for 1.5" because the 2" is actually too wide, it curls under my chin.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): seal

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): AHI, seal

The problem that I have with the 2" tape is that the edge of the tape is still to close to my mouth and air will find a way out. The further away (by using bigger tape) = no leaks. I also trim the tape to the shape of an oval with scissors. Luckily I am not allergic to the tape. Good luck. Taping has really helped my mouth leaks and thus better sleep and AHI.
Jon

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:09 am

[quote="Anonymous"]Shari,

My history is similar to yours. I initially used a Swift mask and taped my mouth but during the night I would feel claustrophobic and take the tape off. I had horrible mouth leaks that woke me up all night.

I've been trying to make the Hybrid work. I've had problems with large leaks (according to the software) and my AHIs are unacceptably high. There have been several discussions about having the newer version of the mask that has "adaptive flow technology". Some machines have a problem with the large intentional leak of the mask and the adaptive flow technology is supposed to help that.

My dme doesn't have and doesn't seem to be inclined to get the newer version of the Hybrid, so I'm back to using my Swift.

I have mouth leaks, but seem to have fewer now that I have a bipap machine. I just can't move around much or side sleep well with the Swift.

You might want to see if you have the adaptive flow version of the mask. If the head gear that came with the mask was black on one side and gray on the other, you have the newer version. If the head gear is all black, you have the old mode.

I also used tape to tape the pillows to my nose to try to prevent the leaks. It did help some.

Good luck.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:29 pm

Shari,

I tape my Hybrid by using hypoallergenic paper tape and I use two pieces that are about 2-3 inches long. I put the mask on and put one strip of tape over one nostril. It goes accross the front of the nasal opening, across to my cheek. Same for the other nostril. The two pieces are on somewhat of a diagonal.

I tried one piece across both nostrils and that seem to come loose too easily.

The purpose is to prevent the pillows from popping out when I move. It doesn't make an air tight seal - if the pillows move enough some air leaks. It works for several hours then the tape seems to give near the top of my nares (?). I don't have all the terminology straight regarding my schnoz. I seem to wake to leaks around the top of the pillows many mornings around 5am.

I think I move around a lot and put a bit of strain on the tape.

Sleepdeprived- thanks for the advice. I'm going to give it a try tonight. Anything for some relief. I was doing great with very low AHIs, but I had my appendix out several weeks ago and had no desire to move much at night. Now I'm going nuts feeling trapped on my back.

Why isn't Innomed replacing the old version of the Hybrid with the "updated" model? Why would my dme only have the old version?
These are rhetorical. I know there is no answer or hope.

I wish this was easier. I used to go to bed with pleasant thoughts of whatever hunk was popular at the time ( or of my husband). Now, I drift off to fantasies of tailor made weightless cpap masks made with angels wings and fairy dust.

darthlucy · Post by **darthlucy** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:04 am

My darling husband thinks someone should invent a zipper for us mouth-breathing hoseheads to have permanently installed: "Just think," he says, "you get to sleep better, I get to zip you whenever I want. Everybody wins!"

Of course this is also the man who gets a sick sort of pleasure out of trying to get me to crack up laughing after I've taped.....he calls it getting me to blow tape. Unfortunately, he knows my weaknesses, and regularly succeeds.

Shari · Post by **Shari** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:15 am

Thanks DarthLucy, I needed that laugh this morning.

Last night I tried a combination of Polident AND tape. Seemed to work very well. Unfortunately, I also had issues with rainout, snorted water and fought a gurgling hose half the night.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 3:20 pm

DarthLucy,

I read your post to my husband and we both got a good laugh. Now he's just waiting for his chance. You know I won't be touching that tape until I make sure he's asleep.

Mask

Additional Comments: Equipment isn't correct, S9 ASV w/H5i