Report on use of new padacheek anti-leak strap

[dsm]

Over the past few months I have had serious difficulties getting a no-leak night while using a Vpap Adapt SV and a Quattro mask.

Here is a grab from January this year showing just how bad leaks had become ...


Some time back I started a thread on the leaking I was experiencing with my Quattro & how leaks are not handled well by the machine I use. But when there are no leaks, I regard it as the best machine I have ever owned. That thread started in the below link but in the 1st post when I said I had changed the strap 3 times it was in fact doing so with other older straps I had - later in the thread I mention a big improvement when I fitted a new later model strap. Here is that thread ...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=50252&p=461629&hili ... ks#p461629

In the end I replaced the mask seal and the mask straps & while that greatly improved the leak problem, it was still so annoying that I would get woken by flutter noises (mask burp). The lack of a good straight sleep free from mask leak noises was messing up my daytimes, a very frustrating experience when you know that if you had no leaks things should be good. Then I got an email from Karen at Pad-a-cheek asking if I wanted to try an experimental strap she had devised. I agreed.

The strap took a while to reach me & then a while before I got to try it BUT, the results were outstanding - stunning. Leaks noise no longer wakes me up !!!.
I gathered 2 weeks of data using the new strap & the data is completely conclusive. The difference from the before & after graphs show how incredibly effective this simple strap is. I can't explain why it does so well because when I saw it I thought, it won't work. But it did and completely.

Below I show a series of data grabs & a row of asterisks between the night before using the mask & the night after. The data simply speaks for itself.

Karen, thank you so much !!! - that strap has allowed me to get back to the best therapy I have had.

Cheers DSM

25 MARCH 2010 - typical bad leaking ...


30 MARCH 2010 - again typical bad leaking (each night in between is similar) ...


05 APRIL 2010 - again typical bad leaking (& as before each night in between is similar) ...


07 APRIL 2010 - the last night before I fitted Karen's new anti-leak strap ...


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08 APRIL 2010 - Here is night one with Karen's strap ...



09 APRIL 2010 - the next night ...



22 APRIL 2010 - a week an a half later ...



24 APRIL 2010 - last night ...


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[park_ridge_dave]

Where is the queque forming for this beauty

That is amazing looking data. I read your previous thread and, although I don't have enough age on my current strap for replacement (yet), I am experiencing some of the same leakage problems on my Quattro.

I was thinking about ordering some of the pads when this post "popped up".

I am going to watch it for developments.

Cheers,

Dave

[KatieW]

Great results! Would you be willing to post a photo of this miracle strap?

[Lee Lee]

I'd love to see this too!

[Mount Snorius]

Please do post what it looks like and does it work with the nasal pillow type masks?

Thanks.

[DoriC]

Oh boy! Would the straps work with the UMFF? Mike's leaks are OK but he does have occasional "bad" nights when he's restless.

[base2balls]

Wow! What amazing results!!! Congrats.... Well I do plan on ordering the doodad for my nasal mask on payday. When I get leaks I get it in the eye and this looks like it would work to help stop that. I like the idea that it will stay on the mask and won't dossappear like the dern mask liners that I made. Forget that, but it was a good idea as I liked the feel of the cloth between my face and the mask. I did have leak problems last night. I'm tired and getting air in my eyes. Soo glad you found some thing that works for you. Have a great day, Huggies, Fay

[atruvirgo]

I would love to see what it looks like as well. Sounds like a terrific addition to CPAP comfort. Is it posted on Padacheek.com yet? I looked but, didn't see it. I am always in search of MORE COMFORT. I am considering getting the Headrest Nasal Pillow Mask and cutting the heck out of it!!!!!

[unadog]

The VPAP ASV is **tough** on leaks!

I have the same mask. New strap helped, but I have it cranked down tight on my face! I have like 2 inch grooves from the mask in the am.

It hurts a bit. So one night I loosened up the staps closer to a "normal" fit. Same fluttering leaks and a really bad nights sleep! Great machine, but the pressure changes are tough on the mask seal. I have mine reigned in quite a bit on the high pressure too.

Let us know when we can buy this! Also interested to know how it works.

Cheers,
Michael

[Pad A Cheek]

Ok,
I now have the website updated and you can see the pictures of the strap. It does not look like much, and it is pretty amazing that it works like it does. It may be the fabric or it may be the fact that it does not move much when you move your neck around. I am very pleased that it does seem to do what I intended it to do.
If you do not use a Quattro or a Ultra Mirage Full Face mask, this is not the right one for you. We will be working on some other designs as time permits.

Karen
http://www.padacheek.com

[park_ridge_dave]

Where is the queque forming for this beauty

Ok I found the queque. Karen, You probably will be a busy camper Monday

"and that's a good thing "

Cheers,

Dave

[dsm]

Great results! Would you be willing to post a photo of this miracle strap?

I'll try to get it up today. I knew everyone would want to see it & how it attaches - just ran out of time last night.

DSM

PS it is silky material with velcro at each end - no elastic - which is why I wondered if it could help - but it sure does & doesn't add any squeezing that bothers me. I just had a little bit of getting used to it fitting over my ears where it does some time bunch up, but not so as to worry me .

[KatieW]

I'll try to get it up today. I knew everyone would want to see it & how it attaches - just ran out of time last night.

No need, dsm, Karen now has it on her website. Thanks for telling us about this.

[DoriC]

Ok,
I now have the website updated and you can see the pictures of the strap. It does not look like much, and it is pretty amazing that it works like it does. It may be the fabric or it may be the fact that it does not move much when you move your neck around. I am very pleased that it does seem to do what I intended it to do.
If you do not use a Quattro or a Ultra Mirage Full Face mask, this is not the right one for you. We will be working on some other designs as time permits.

Karen
http://www.padacheek.com

Karen, is there a way to avoid it covering the ears? I'm wondering if it would have to take some getting used to and can one hear just as well while wearing it? Thanks.

[Country4ever]

I'm a little confused.
Are we talking about a cushion that goes around the face straps, or are we talking about a liner that stops leaks?