Goatee + Hybrid Mask = Leaks Advice?

[Popi]

Usually use my Swift LT mask, but I've been suffering from a stuffy nose for about a week. Decided to pull out my Hybrid mask, and it seemed to fit pretty well...until I turned on the air. There was a pretty good amount of leaking around my mouth, I'm sure, due to my goatee. If I tightened the bejusus out of the thing, then the leaks stopped, but by then, my jaw was pushed back so far that I knew that I was probably making my apnea worse because of it.

With the exception of shaving my goatee, is there anything else I can due until my nose clears up? I'm not used to leaks, so I don't know how they effect my treatment. Is some leaking OK? I'm just used to seen "0.0" when looking at my leak rate.

As suggested earlier, I've tried Olbas oil to keep my nose clear, but that didn't seem to help, and I don't want to take any decongestants as they all make my heart race and cause me to break out in sweats. I am taking Claritin every day, so that might be helping.

[williamco]

Vanity!
people are suffering from problems that they can't fix, can't figure out a way out, and your problem is goatee!

[Popi]

Vanity!
people are suffering from problems that they can't fix, can't figure out a way out, and your problem is goatee!

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! My goatee makes me sexy. j/k

I know that it's the problem, so the question remains, are the leaks negating any benefit from the treatment? If the leaks are under the magic 2.4 number, am I still getting effective treatment?

[Uncle_Bob]

I think the claim is that the machine can compensate up to 24 L/min which is where the red line is on the ResScan graph for leaks.

Personally i like at least the 95 percentile leak to be zero.

Also what humidity setting are you using and whats you humidity in your bedroom at night. Adding too much humidity can cause congestion. Humidity in my room is 45-50% and i'm running my humidifier is passover mode (water in tank but no heat)

[williamco]

Popi your question can only be answered by software and smart card to see the numbers. but also the proof is in the putting, how do you feel in the morning.

in general I was told that the machine makes up for the leak as long as the leak is steady not spikes.
also in general if you have a leak 50L/m pressure in general goes down 0.75 point, a leak of 100L/m the pressure goes down 1.5 , so you can just increase your pressure like 1 point or 1.5 point to compensate for the leak, you can see these numbers in the specs of your mask

[roster]

Shave the goatee and I bet you will still have the leaks. There are bearded successful users since the mask was first introduced four years ago.

Sounds like a fitting and/or adjusting problem.

[Popi]

Sounds like a fitting and/or adjusting problem.

You're most likely correct, but I'm fearful of adjusting it too tightly because is does make my jaw move backwards.

I'll just have to give a full night's try, and see what happens with regards to the leaks.

[Uncle_Bob]

Sounds like a fitting and/or adjusting problem.

You're most likely correct, but I'm fearful of adjusting it too tightly because is does make my jaw move backwards.

I'll just have to give a full night's try, and see what happens with regards to the leaks.

Have you tried watching the mask fitting DVD if one came with your mask.

I have the Swift LT and hardly notice its there. It took me a while to realize that the whole pillow pivots for adjustment, I'm not sure if you are aware of that.

Also you might want to try different sized pillows and use the machine mask fitting feature.

[Popi]

It's not my Swift LT (awesome mask) giving me my problems...it's the Hybrid.

I've watched the Hybrid's fitting video, and I've got adjusted a well as I can, without it being too tight. I worry, like I've done with the other FFMs I've used, that there's too much pressure being put on my jaw, forcing it backwards.

[Uncle_Bob]

It's not my Swift LT (awesome mask) giving me my problems...it's the Hybrid.

I've watched the Hybrid's fitting video, and I've got adjusted a well as I can, without it being too tight. I worry, like I've done with the other FFMs I've used, that there's too much pressure being put on my jaw, forcing it backwards.

Sorry about the mistake

Do you have the Resmed Hybrid (Mirage Liberty) or the other one?

I have the Mirage Liberty and find that sometimes i adjust it with too much pressure on my upper teeth. But then if i loosen it off i get the pillows dislodging during the night sometimes. I believe some people wear pantyhose around the mask to help keep the pillows in place without needing to over tighten the mask.

[Popi]

I believe some people wear pantyhose around the mask to help keep the pillows in place without needing to over tighten the mask.

Bank robber style? My toddler would LOVE that. Or do they tie it around like a bandana?

[joeattardi]

Most of my leaks are around my facial hair too. I'm ready to shave it all off to see if it improves.

[roster]

I believe some people wear pantyhose around the mask to help keep the pillows in place without needing to over tighten the mask.

Bank robber style? My toddler would LOVE that. Or do they tie it around like a bandana?

Tight is not right.

Adjust halfway between nearly loose and nearly snug.

Pantyhose is not right.

It's ladies tights.

Here are suggestions -

wiki/index.php/Hybrid_Mask_Modifications

Follow the instructions carefully.

I did not the first time and it was very uncomfortable.



Learn from my mistakes.

[BlackSpinner]

Maybe the mouth piece is too big and you need to try the smaller one. Getting all the pieces right is the challenge of the hybrid. I find that it keeps my jaw nicely in place due to the chin flap as long as I don't lay flat on my back.