Want to cry OR Dr Jekyl and Miss Hyde

[snuginarug]

I am on week 2 of CPAP. I can only sleep two hours at a time. My mask leaks unless I over-tighten it AND hold it in place while I sleep. This is my second mask. I don't want to ask for a third. I will if I have to, though. I'm using a FF mask, are nasal masks easier to deal with as far as leaks go? I can't tolerate the pillows, they make me feel crazy. I feel desperate. I'm not going to give up, but this really sucks. The main thing that is keeping me in this is the fact that my ankle swelling has almost disappeared. So I guess there is a bright side, but right now I feel VERY crummy. I need some encouragement and some advice. Exactly how comfortable can a mask get? Do I have to settle for some over-tightened mess that leaks and is uncomfortable? People talk about feeling as if the mask isn't there. That seems impossible right now. I am so discouraged. I am also wondering if I should spring $50 or $60 for a special CPAP bed pillow. I tried out this useless, uncomfortable one at the DME. But if the right pillow can help, I'll buy it. I can't afford to go through pillows the way I expect I will go through masks. I can afford exactly ONE pillow and I'm screwed if it's no good. I am not normally this negative. I think sleeping 2 hours at a time is taking it's toll in my mood. I'v been keeping a sleep diary by my bed, and a really nice pen fell behind the furniture. I am disproportionately upset about this. I can buy a new pen. I feel sort of crazy.

[mdintx]

Is leaking the only problem you're experiencing with the Quattro? Is it otherwise comfy? If so, check these products out:

http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html

http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Maskliners.html

Those should address your issues with leaks.

If it's any consolation, I went through a dozen masks before settling on what I'm using now. It takes time and patience (which is in short supply when you're exhausted). Keep in mind that you can fax your mask prescription to cpap.com and order masks through them with the return insurance. Also, trying used or new masks from cpapauction.com is a great way to go. Both of those options saved me big time.

[cotech50]

I started with a Q. I had some leaks used a soft pillow and slept on side off the edge. Adjusted mask lying down and the forehead adjustment stays all the way down. after 6 mos went to a nasal mask ultra mirage II and works real good. After getting kinks out consistent 7 to 7.5 straight through now.

Good luck

[BlackSpinner]

The more you tighten it the more it leaks. You probably have the wrong size. Go to your dme with the whole setup. Try on the masks under full pressure laying down. Sort of like buying running shoes - you need to run in them.

As for the pillow - buy a cheap foam pillow and go at it with a bread knife until it works for you.

[sleepnationtv]

Support and learning will help you a lot. I have put together this video blog to help. take a look and see if there is anything that will help.
http://www.sleepnation.tv

[waynegs]

Well, I am only on day 3 but I have not had any leak issues with my swift fx, even when shifting from my back to my side.

[maskhead]

I'm into my 5th month with CPAP and its taken awhile to get it right. I had to do alot of tweaking with my Quattro to get it to fit right without leaks. Luckily I had the right size, but needed to adjust each of the headgear straps and the forehead dial thing separately. Now it doesn't leak. I also recently bought a "Multi-mask sleep aid CPAP pillow" from CPAP.com so I could sleep on my side easily. I have found it to be great both for side and back sleeping. I move easily in the night without knocking the mask and feel better in the AM. This is just my experience. Good luck to you in finding what works.

[carbonman]

I feel sort of crazy.

'rug, you're down in it right now.
Maybe the listed post can help.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34880

Now is when the perseverance thing comes into play.
You know....the commitment, the hard work, the patience, the endurance.
This is the trenches. You get down in the mud, the blood, and the beer....
and you fight for your life.

Telling you I have been down the same road may or may not help.
....BUT, I persevered and I did prevail.
You WILL too.

So, get busy. Do whatever you have to do.

It's your life.
It's my life.

[jmelby]

I couldn't get any full face masks to work without leaking a lot... part of that is my beard, but I think face shape can also have something to do with it. In any case, I found that a nasal mask (Activa LT) works much better for me. Most nights I have no leaks at all. I also wear a pap-cap chin strap to keep my mouth from opening.

[torontoCPAPguy]

Funny... I use both the Mirage Activa LT AND the Mirage Quattro and am having success with both of them albeit the success varies from night to night and I think it depends on how I am sleeping (side, back, etc.) and how much effort I have taken to adjust the mask properly.

It is going to take experimentation to come up with the right mask, the right size and the right adjustments in order to eliminate as much leakage as possible. AND you are going to have to get used to sleeping on your side or back... I think sleeping on your tummy is a thing of the past. As of late the side sleeping has been just killing me as far as my hips and lower back are concerned (I wondered when that would rear its ugly head again). Last night was, for example, awful, but with very low leakage. I awoke from pain. If I take heavy narcotic pain killers my SaO2 plummets due to shallow breathing and I imagine my BP skyrockets.

SO... in the end it is the 'magic bullet' that we all seek and most find it at some point. Some never do. I have masks that fit fairly well. My pressures are near perfect. My numbers are low. But I still seek the magic bullet.

[nanwilson]

Hi There
Do not despair, there IS help. Your quattro should not be tight on your face. There are several places to get help......here is your homework..
look up "quattro fixes"
look up "remzzzz"
look up padacheeks
The quattro fixes we've all worked on until it "fits".
Remzzz is a product that helps with leaks, BUT you can make your own using old well washed cotton t-shirt or ladies panties. There is a pattern, actually 2 different patterns...or you can just cut a pattern yourself from your quattro, make it about 3/4 of an inch larger all around.
padacheeks are head gear straps made by one of the gals on the forum. But if you are handy and crafty you can make your own out of fleece or quilted material.
Get yourself a cup of coffee, relax, put your feet up and start reading the above suggestions. That's how I did it and believe me, some suggestions work, some don't, I've tried them all. I call the bottom drawer in my night table, my "tweak" drawer..it has all the stuff I tried (made myself) that didn't work .
Go for it, do it and most of all tell yourself PATIENCE AND PERSISTANCE ARE THE KEYS TO GOOD THERAPY!!!!!
Good luck and keep smiling.
Cheers
Norma

[rested gal]

My mask leaks unless I over-tighten it AND hold it in place while I sleep.
---
I'm using a FF mask

This might, or might not help...

Buy two things:

1. A pair of Queen size pantyhose tights. Have to be "tights" because of thicker material -- not just regular pantyhose material.
2. A couple of adhesive backed Velcro strips or Velcro dots.

Cut off one leg of the tights.

Put on your Full Face mask. Adjust the mask straps comfortably snug, but not particularly tight.

Place the cutoff tights leg against the front of your Full Face mask, go around both sides of your head and tie that homemade strap up high on the back of your head. High enough up that it is doesn't try to slide down the back of your head. Tie it with a double start knot. That kind of knot lays flat, stays secure, and is easy to "undo" in the morning:

DoubleStart Knot How to tie a flat knot behind head when using a homemade strap.
http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/doublestartknot.htm

Now that you have the homemade "tights" strap in place, figure out where on the plastic front of the mask you want to stick the velcro (underneath the homemade strap) so the velcro can snag the tights material and keep the homemade strap from sliding up or down off the slick plastic front of the mask.

Using a homemade "tights leg" strap that way sometimes stops leaks in the same way that pressing lightly with your fingers against the front of a mask works.

I am also wondering if I should spring $50 or $60 for a special CPAP bed pillow.

There used to be an inexpensive ($15 or less) pillow that Target stores carried called "Shapeable Pillow." It's a very smushable pillow. You can squash a hollow into it for the mask when sleeping on your side, or bunch the pillow to make a firm but comfy ledge for the front of your face and the mask to hang out over.

For years I've used a "double edge" PAPillow most nights. I like it very much.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/papill ... illow.html

Occasionally I switch to the Shapeable Pillow.

I tried a pillow called "SleePAP CPAP Pillow", but didn't like it anywhere near as well as the PAPillow or the "Shapeable" pillow from Target.

As is true of masks, different pillows can suit one person but not another.

[ozij]

I am on week 2 of CPAP. I can only sleep two hours at a time. My mask leaks unless I over-tighten it AND hold it in place while I sleep. This is my second mask. I don't want to ask for a third.

When I had to switch to a full face mask, only the 4th worked.

I need some encouragement and some advice. Exactly how comfortable can a mask get?

Pretty comfortable, but it has to be the right mask.

Do I have to settle for some over-tightened mess that leaks and is uncomfortable?

I don't think so, though I've never had to handle very high pressures.

People talk about feeling as if the mask isn't there. That seems impossible right now.

It does in the beginning. At 2 weeks I had just finished going through a few nasal masks, different sizes, and was trying the first nasal pillows mask. That one didn't work for me either. But the I found nasal pillows masks that worked for me for almost 4 years.

You have to do whatever you can to make yourself comfortable.

[DoriC]

RG, This illustrates the individual preferences we all have. The PapPillow was too hard, the Shapeable/Target was too soft but the SleePapPillow was jusssst right! I must say that we did follow Carbonman's advice (with much encouragement from him)and first bought a cheap Walmart memory foam pillow and learned how to slice/dice the edges to make room for the mask. Mike didn't like the feel of the memory foam but once we saw we were on the right track as to shape, we decided the investment in the proper pillow was essential to success. It was a little pricey experiment but well worth it. Also, the Quattro and UltraMirage may look similar but they are different. We couldn't control leaks and nose sores with the Q, but were able to adjust very well to the UM. Good luck and keep us posted.

[rested gal]

Patzee had a good suggestion about making soft cotton liners to use between the silicone cushion of a mask and your face. Besides providing increased comfort, she said that adding the liner made leaks become a rarity for her.
viewtopic.php?p=477202#p477202

One big help that has my nights with more sleep time & less awake time is this: in cutting my own mask liners out of my husband's T-shirts, I cut them wider on the top half than needed by about 3/4" on each side, AND use a double thickness - two of the cut-outs instead of one; this allows the mask liner to double as an eye mask 'cause it completely lays over the eyes and blocks any bit of offending light. And this does away with having to use the uncomfortable eye masks and removes one more strap from ones head.

About the mask liners - I'd recommend everyone using them - easy to make, zero cost if using something on hand, and with the liner, wearing the mask is instantly SOOOOOO much more pleasant & comfortable - no more "something foreign and siliconey is creating a suctiony perspirary augh" sensation. And leaks become a rariety. Just a soft, cushiony, comfy feeling. And cut up a week's supply...put the ones you've worn in a small lingerie laundry bad (the little white, mesh, zippered bags, and wash & dry them all together).

Really, if you haven't tried the liners, cut up something (all cotton) right now, and at least try it to see if it doesn't make a huge difference. Doesn't matter if you use a nasal or a full-face mask, it will work.

Dori, I'm still chuckling at how our differing pillow experiences make us sound like characters out of Goldilocks and the Three Bears!