Inconsistent reliability of mask

[tiredgrl]

Hi

I started on CPAP on Jan. 30, 2009 and am now on my second mask, a Respironics Comfort Gel Full mask. I need to wear a full face mask, which I don't mind. This mask is much more comfortable than my first mask (I don't recall the name of it). The mask I'm now using has a better seal. I also use a chin strap - the large white one with velcro.

Why though, are some nights better than others? Example - Friday night I went to bed and slept like a baby. Didn't have any problem with leaks. Woke up feeling like I got a good night's sleep.

Saturday night I went to bed and wrestled with leaks most of the night. In bed I tried to adjust it - loosen the straps, tighten the straps, reposition the chin strap, etc., or I had to get up several times to take it off and put it on again. Finally, about 3:00 am, after wrestling with it for hours, I said to heck with it so I just took it off. I know I'm always supposed to wear it but I didn't know how to stop the leaks since I tried everything.

Am I doomed to play Russian roulette every night and hope that this night it won't leak? How can I consistently get a good seal? Since January I can count on probably one hand the number of nights that I slept and didn't have any problems. I feel like I get teased with a night of good sleep and then the next night I fight with it.

Is this common? I hope someone will have some words of wisdom. I find myself getting anxious when I go to bed - "Is this night going to be a good night?" I'm a little tired of worrying whether I'll get a good night's sleep.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice.

Also, if it makes a difference, my pressure is set pretty high - 17. The pressure doesn't bother me.

[mhorowit]

Did the position of the hose seem to tug the mask one way or the other? That may be a variable that will have to be addressed. Try the mask on and with hose in place this afternoon, when you have time and are not desperate for sleep. - Mike

[tiredgrl]

Thanks, Mike, for the suggestion. That wasn't a factor I had considered. I'll pay attention to the location of the hose.

[Quinda]

TiredGirl ... I think a lot of us here have gone through similar circumstances at one time or another.

My pressure is high as well (20 cm h2o), and I've had my share of struggles ... over time I've learned what works for me and what doesn't.

It's my opinion that the higher the pressure the less it takes for the seal to leak, such as tension from the hose or position of mask etc ...

I have used a variety of full face masks but have pretty much settled on the Mirage Quattro as the best one I've used so far. My perfect size is somewhere between a medium and a large, so I have one of both. I also have a Comfort Gel and a few other types that I've tried over time.

For me with the Quattro it's all about positioning the mask prior to laying down and with out the hose attached. I spend a few extra minutes seating the mask on my face every night adjusting the seal as I go before laying down and then attaching the hose. I've also found that if a small amount of pressure can be applied to the center of the mask after it inflates, then it will usually seal through the entire night. I accomplish this by using an extra elastic velcro strap I purchased from the local hardware store, so it is not a part of the original head gear and gives me a fifth point of contact in lue of the original four you get with the head gear.

I also find that I need to replace the seal every 4-6 weeks, I'm guessing the higher pressure wears them out quicker, and I have yet to have a complete face mask last more than 7 months before needing to be replaced as a unit.

I clean my seal everyday with the Citrus II cleaner you can buy online, I use the predosed wipes mainly but do have the spray bottle as well. I then dry the seal with a clean dry towel. I also clean my face every night right before I am ready to put the mask on and I don't use any soap of any kind. Very important. Just warm water and a clean dry towel does the trick.

I have found that using chapstick can also cause leaks at high pressures as it can bleed off of your lips and onto the mask and cause a weak point along the seal that can leak.

If I do get a leak that is consistent during sleep then I also find that I need to go through my pre bed routine again beginning with the cleansing of the mask from scratch, washing my face and reseatting the seal and adjusting the head gear. Other wise I'm just wasting my time trying to get it to seal by adjusting the mask alone.

Hope that helps ...

[Lee Lee]

Hi,
Oh, yes, I ,too have the same issues. A lot of people do...
Two thoughts..one, do you have the right mask? There are a couple of others you may want to condsider. Do a search on the UMFF and the F&P HC431 and 432, and the Quattro. Many people have had success with the mask you use, but many others have not.
Also, for me, I have to clean the heck out of my mask, or it will NOT seal. I also have to have a squeaky clean face. You'd be amazed at what a little night cream can do to a seal.
I truly hope you can get squared away. There's nothing worse than tossing and turning all night with a leaky mask!!!
Lee Lee

[m1k2s3]

I have the Comfort Gel Nasal Mask and I really like it. Although I've only had a couple of masks, I like this one because it's lightweight, quiet and generally has a good seal. Notice I said generally - I notice when I take the mask apart to clean it, sometimes I don't always get the adjustments right when I put it all back together again. Also, I agree with other posts - check your hose position. I ofen tuck the hose under my arm or lay it above my head on the pillow when I sleep on my right side. I don't have problems when I sleep on my left side, I think because my machine is on my left side so I don't have to reposition the hose.

The only other suggestion I can think of is your mask the right size. If you can, maybe try a different size to compare.

[elader]

Hose management - you cant have the hose tugging on the mask at all. read up on it and do something about it
Wash your face and the mask skirt every night
Adjust the mask to fit you
high pressure settings do make leaks easier to come by
does the mask fit you properly? My cheekbones are not symmetrical and I always leak from one side
you cannot be certain leaks and refreshing sleep are related, but you can only do all you can do to 'fix' your issues and try again.

[tiredgrl]

Hi elader,

My hose doesn't tug on the mask. I sleep on the same side of the bed as the hose and the hose always has some slack to it.

I wash my face every night and even use an astringent to make sure my skin isn't oily. I wash my mask skirt every night and let it air dry.

Adjust the mask to fit me - that is my problem. I have difficulty getting it to fit consistently so it doesn't leak, squeal, or fart. Once in a while I get it right and it doesn't leak.

It feels like my mask fits me properly. The respiratory therapist measured my face and selected the mask size that matched the sizing chart. I do have an occasional good night where the mask doesn't leak and I sleep very well so I assume that the mask fits properly.

Thanks for the suggestions. This is what frustrates me - I think I'm doing all the right things yet I still have nights where it leaks like crazy. It leaked like crazy last night and I got tired of fussing with it. I needed to get some sleep so I took it off about 1:00 am - I get up at 6:00 am. Even with sleep apnea (44 apneas per hour) I still sleep better than laying there fighting with a mask all night.

[chipbutty]

I do exactly the same things every night. I've been on CPAP for one year now and after ten different masks (each in various sizes!) I struggle to use it for more than a few hours each night. I used to battle each and every night and would always wear it for 8 hours regardless of how little sleep I got. I have every conceivable product to help me, from Macks silicone ear plugs to tights (pantyhose). I have a box full of gadgets and widgets, recommended by the good people on here. Just that nothing has worked So far, anyway.

Hi elader,

My hose doesn't tug on the mask. I sleep on the same side of the bed as the hose and the hose always has some slack to it.

I wash my face every night and even use an astringent to make sure my skin isn't oily. I wash my mask skirt every night and let it air dry.

Adjust the mask to fit me - that is my problem. I have difficulty getting it to fit consistently so it doesn't leak, squeal, or fart. Once in a while I get it right and it doesn't leak.

It feels like my mask fits me properly. The respiratory therapist measured my face and selected the mask size that matched the sizing chart. I do have an occasional good night where the mask doesn't leak and I sleep very well so I assume that the mask fits properly.

Thanks for the suggestions. This is what frustrates me - I think I'm doing all the right things yet I still have nights where it leaks like crazy. It leaked like crazy last night and I got tired of fussing with it. I needed to get some sleep so I took it off about 1:00 am - I get up at 6:00 am. Even with sleep apnea (44 apneas per hour) I still sleep better than laying there fighting with a mask all night.

[m1k2s3]

Tiredgrl, I just noticed something and I wanted to comment on it. You've been on CPAP for almost two months and the fact that your still committed enough to keep looking for answers is great! Believe it or not, I think your doing great and your
doing all the right things. One thing I remember the sleep tech saying to me - even if you have nights where you cant do it and you take the mask off, don't get discouraged, just keep trying.

I think sleep therapy is all about taking it one night at a time and although you may be frustrated and obviously tired, keep trying.

You are continuing to work on this and you've found the best site for support and help. One other suggestion and this may sound strange but what about changing your pillow?

[tiredgrl]

Thanks for all of the great feedback. I learn so much from reading this forum.

m1k2s3 - guess what? Re: my pillow - I invested on a PaP pillow to make sure the hose wouldn't get bumped by my regular pillow.