Mask leaks only when I inhale-help!

[lfreese]

Somebody out there has to know the answer. My full face mask leaks only when I inhale. It then makes the face fart noises we are all familiar with.
I can't sleep. The doc and the techs keep telling me to try a different mask which I have done numerous times. They all do the something. After I put on the mask, in a few minutes the leaks start. I keep pulling down the straps tighter in an effort to stop the leaks until the mask is so tight it hurts.
It appears that when I inhale the pressure inside the mask drops enough that I am pulling air in from outside the mask. I can see it happen in the mirror.
Why is this happening? The masks fit fine and doesn't leak otherwise. My doc set my resmed cpap auto to s mode @ about 18 cm. It originally was in cpap set at 20 cm but the masks leaked with pressure so much he changed to s mode which enabled me to stop most of the leaks, except for the leaks upon inhaling. I haven't slept with my mask on for more than 2-3 hrs a night for months and I am desperate. Please, somebody help!

[Julie]

Hi, I don't know what side you sleep on, or if you stay there all night (and it doesn't matter for now), but once you are settled, loosen your straps so they're all of similar tension when you're ready to sleep, not so loose the mask slides around, but not so tight it cuts into you or is uncomfortable. Then once the air is 'on', pick up the nose bridge area - just raise it enough so the silicone 'seal' part of the mask has a chance to billow out from (possibly) being squished down anywhere - that's where the rude noises are happening - the mask is trying to fill itself out but your overtighting has made it impossible. Good luck!

[harry33]

pull mask away from face and let straps draw it back to reset the mask position slightly
wear mask high up on face until it hits bottom of nose

[Wulfman]

Don't inhale........

Sounds like maybe you need a different bed pillow. There are some that work better with or are designed for this therapy.


Den

[Larry in cincy]

I got my answer! I went to my sleep clinic yesterday and complained vigourously about my leak problem. The first person had no answers other than to tell me to try another mask. I explained that I have tried numerous masks and all of the tricks for putting them on properly. She went and got a more experienced tech who upon hearing my sad story took my machine and changed the settings for the inhale and exhale rythems of the breathing cycle. Victory!!! I have slept all night for the first time in 9 months.
LEAKS ARE NOT ALWAYS MASK PROBLEMS. Don't give up. Keep complaining until they get you a solution.

[nobody]

I'm glad you got it worked out. Sometimes we have to be really pushy to get what we need from providers. It sucks, but as long as it works in the end it's worth it

[Alfies]

Hi Larry in cincy,
Thanks for the guidance. your tip worked for my cousin.
She was having this problem and her inhaler makes scary noises.

[LinkC]

Sometimes we have to be really pushy to get what we need from providers.

That is true! But finding a KNOWLEDGEABLE provider to "push" is more important... Push a dumb one and you just get guesses, or worse, misinformation.

[Janknitz]

You're using a Mirage Quattro which has an AIR CUSHION. That means the cushion must be fully inflated with AIR in order to seal properly. Every time you have a leak you are tightening the mask, squashing the cushion so that it cannot inflate and therefore it cannot seal properly.

Reminds me of a joke about the Keck Observatory, high on a mountain in Hawaii. The elevation is so high that people can experience elevation sickness. There was a carpenter building part of the observatory who was having a tough time. Finally he went to a fellow carpenter and complained: "I don't know what's wrong. I keep cutting this board and it's still too short!"

Keep cinching that air cushion, and it cannot do its job.

Take a look at my "Taming the Mirage Quattro" and try out the fitting tips. Fit the mask at your highest pressure, with the machine ON. I do not guarantee this will stop the leaks, but it will help. A mask liner (Homemade, REmzz's ,or Padacheek) will help too and people swear by Padacheeks' "anti-leak" strap. Keep tweaking, don't give up.

Or ask for a different mask. If you can avoid mouth breathing, nasal pillows are MUCH easier to seal and use.

[avi123]

Somebody out there has to know the answer. My full face mask leaks only when I inhale. It then makes the face fart noises we are all familiar with.
I can't sleep. The doc and the techs keep telling me to try a different mask which I have done numerous times. They all do the something. After I put on the mask, in a few minutes the leaks start. I keep pulling down the straps tighter in an effort to stop the leaks until the mask is so tight it hurts.
It appears that when I inhale the pressure inside the mask drops enough that I am pulling air in from outside the mask. I can see it happen in the mirror.
Why is this happening? The masks fit fine and doesn't leak otherwise. My doc set my resmed cpap auto to s mode @ about 18 cm. It originally was in cpap set at 20 cm but the masks leaked with pressure so much he changed to s mode which enabled me to stop most of the leaks, except for the leaks upon inhaling. I haven't slept with my mask on for more than 2-3 hrs a night for months and I am desperate. Please, somebody help!

Can you set this machine on plain CPAP at a pressure of 8 to 10 cm with no APR and try again?

S8 VPAP™ Auto 25 BiLevel Machine

[BlackSpinner]

My doc set my resmed cpap auto to s mode @ about 18 cm.] It originally was in cpap set at 20 cm

Can you set this machine on plain CPAP at a pressure of 8 to 10 cm with no APR and try again?

What about the difference between 18 and 8 don't you understand Avi?