leaks! Why?

[Michael Gettel]

Hi out there,

So, I'm a new CPAP person. My first four nights were surpisingly simple and I'm very excited about this therapy. I guess I experienced my first leak (felt more like a freeking tornado...) last ngiht, and could not stop it (over the bridge of my nose). I also have a sore spot there today. So, my ignorant questions today are:
1. Why do leaks occur seemingly out of the blue?
2. Are there any tricks to correcting them? (I am using a nasal mask and I really like it).

I'm also dealing with rainout (which a lot of you have already given me some advice on, thanks), and 'whistling' from the rotating connector portion of the mask. I'm going to try some Ayr gel on those connections tonight and see if this works. Any other advice? I really appreciate your reply.
Gratefully,
Michael

[Perchancetodream]

Michael, there are many things that can cause a mask to leak, from changing sleeping position to changing pressure from your machine.

Suggestions would be easier if you will scroll to the top of this page and click on Profile and fill in your type of machine and mask.

Susan

[GumbyCT]

1. Why do leaks occur seemingly out of the blue?

Grateful Michael,
That's like asking "Why do tires go flat?"
Answer= Leaks.
Neither occur out of the blue - so let's take the blue out of the Q? and rephrase it to "Why do leaks occur"? In both cases I would have to say that "something" caused it.

If you are like me - you likely toss n turn in your sleep. But in any case, Something caused your mask to move.
The fix - lay still, tighten the mask more, or re-tighten the mask when the leaks occur.

You didn't give a whole lot on info and it is really hard to guess. But, if you are like me, and you are on an auto - when my pressure ramps up to 18, there is more force pushing out, then my cheeks puff out, my face distorts and changes shape . But that would ALL be an assumption on my part.

So out of the blue - I would have to say there is likely more than one cause of leaks.

Hope that gives you some ideas.

ps. Ever park your car - then when you came back it wouldn't start? But wasn't it running when you shut it off? hmmm. So what caused your car not to start? Out of the blue!!

[billbolton]

I guess I experienced my first leak (felt more like a freeking tornado...) last ngiht, and could not stop it (over the bridge of my nose). I also have a sore spot there today.

I see from your profile that you are using an F&P HC 407 mask. Some usres do experience sore spots on the bridge of their nose when using this mask (irrespective of leaks) so the leak and the sore spot may not necessraily be related.

The fix for the sore spot, is to put a small piece of hypoallegenic tape across the bridge of your nose, where the mask makes contact, when retiring at night.

With the HC 407 you may also need to adjust the straps a bit tighter if you are starting to experience leaks.

'whistling' from the rotating connector portion of the mask.

I haven't had that problem, at 14cm H2O, but it may depend on what flow rate you are running on.

Cheers,

Bill

[Perchancetodream]

...
I see from your profile that you are using an F&P HC 407 mask.
...
Bill

What did I miss? Where did you find his profile?

Susan

[Wulfman]

...
I see from your profile that you are using an F&P HC 407 mask.
...
Bill

What did I miss? Where did you find his profile?

Susan

He had a "logged in" thread a little farther down the page which shows his equipment:

viewtopic/t26084/Rainout.html

Den

[ratkinson]

My first mask was a 407....tightening the straps stop pretty much all the leaks but then I had pressure points on my forehead which got pretty tender. All in all it was a good mask but I am experimenting with nasal pillow interfaces with great success. The thing to remember is to give all your equipment a fair trial.....you'll learn little tricks on your own or through sound advice. I wish you continued success, you'll beat the leaks.

Rich

[MichaelGettel]

I just want to thank everybody who sent a reply! I've ordered my heater hose which, hopefully, will stop the rainout, the whistling, etc. Last night was pretty horrible.....Even with a thunderstorm and a symphony, I think I can sleep tonight...
Thanks,
Michael