New to cpap . Crazy leak. Fiisher paykel machine icon auto

[Ebdmd]

I have just started cpap with a new fisher paykel icon auto machine. It is set for a range of 4-14 pressure. I have been trying quatro fullface mask as i definetly mouth breath mostly and have no trouble falling asleep especially with thenew contour cpap pillow i bought but the problem is getting woken by the leaks which i learned from this blog that people call face farts. Last night i refit the quatro mask according to helpfull advise i found on this blog making sure not to set too tight. I went to sleep without difficulty as the icon auto is on verylow pressurewhen awake. I cant fit mask at higher pressure as there is no way to set it or ramp it up that i can figure out. I was awoken by a small leak after about2hours adjusted mask slightly and back to sleep quickly. The problem came at 3:30when i had what i will call complete mask blowout. The airwas leaking everywhere, it was really loud and the pressure seemed really strong. Repositioning the mask didnt help. The pressure remained high and couldnt get to stop leaking or hissing. I shut machine off and restarted. Aboutsix minutes later the same thing happened. Complete blow out and very loud. Luckily i had a repironics cushion gel mask also setup and switched out the masks and restarted machine. Made it through the night but unsure why quatro had the complete blowout leak or which mask to use tonight. Is there a way to get icon auto to its highest pressure to adjust the mask like you can with the resmed machine. I would appreciate any advise and suggestions. I cant wait to have a good night sleep but not sure if i can get one.

[Sheriff Buford]

I'm hesitant to advise, so I will tell what I would do. If I'm wrong, someone here will correct me. I would turn the "auto" off the machine and make sure your machine is not ramping. Ramping is starting therapy at a low pressure rate (so folks can get to sleep) and the pressure will increase at different intervals till you reach designed pressure. Your machine manual will show you how to change the settings or call your equipment provider, and they will walk you thru it.

It seems that the mask adjustment is ok at low settings, but as the night drags on the, the pressure increases, and leak starts. You may be able to adjust mask at full pressure and no ramp, then go to auto and ramp (try to "wheen" yourself off of ramping) and go to sleep. Clear as mud? Hope you the best!

I've thought about getting a "auto" machine, but I don't want the machine to "think" for me. Just blow the dang air in!

Sheriff

[Ebdmd]

Thanks. Gonna try again tonight and if same thing happens have theprovider make another hoise call. May try padeze strap i read about.

[absolutscharf]

There's info been posted before about how to adjust the pressure, so I won't go into that. I never had to do that to help fitting the mask, though.

I have the same machine and mask, and had the same problems especially when sleeping on my side. 3 things fixed it for me:

1. I noticed that the leaks mostly occurred when my chin was dropping towards my chest during sleep, so I am now sleeping with a neck collar (which, as other have stated, is not a bad thing overall since it helps keep the airways open).
2. "Ordinary" pillows (including the special side sleeper pillow from CPAP.com) tended to push the mask sideways, causing leaks. A Sobokawa Could Pillow from Bed, Bath & Beyond took care of that.
3. Finally, I ordered an Anti-Leak Strap from Pad-a-Cheek (http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html)

I'm not sure which of them reduced the leaks by how much, but with all 3 in place I'm sleeping like a baby (no waking up to leaks, and the system isn't recording any, either).

[Ebdmd]

Pada cheek antileak strap may help. I got a contour sleep pillow which also helped

[chrisp]

You may try increasing your lower pressure a bit closer to your theraputic pressure. 4-14 seems like a very wide range. Maybe set it 1 below and 1 above your titrated pressure. try this for a week.

[Ebdmd]

tried comfort gel mask last pm and did a little better. orderind a pad a cheeck anti leak strap. hope it helps. the company i get my stuff from is going to let me try fisher full face mask also next week and recheck that i have fit the masks the correct way. seems to be good customer service so far but this blog is helpful to answer lots of questions. i wonder when i get cut off on masks to try.