new guy here! having loss of pressure

[louieC]

so i started using a cpap almost 2 yrs ago. the first 7 months were great! i lost 85lbs and had the energy of a 5th grader after halloween night. shortly after my 8th month of cpap usage i noticed that my machine was losing pressure. i realized it was not simply my being accustomed to the machine as the mask itself would lift from my face sealing itself when i first started using the machine. when i say pressure loss i mean the mask is flat to my face and exhaling/inhaling would cause it to create a "farting" sound. i adjusted the pressure higher than what i was meant to have and that did not work. so i got another machine. after a few weeks the same loss of pressure. i then got another machine, same story. now here i am on my 4th machine (did not last a month) an S9 Autoset and it has actually failed so miserably that it loses pressure within minutes. is this possibly something with my condition that is killing these machines or is it just plain bad luck? i should also add that i do not have medical coverage so i have had to purchase these machines 2nd hand but i had done enough research to check the hours of use which were quite minimal with each unit. the S9 Autoset was only used for one night before i purchased it. i have had a sleep study performed but at the time my doctor could not find a DME who would accept the insurance (what i was told and they informed me they would continue searching) at the time which soon expired leaving me to go 2nd hand.

well soon i hope to have medical coverage and can get a new machine. i have all of the required documentation from my sleep study that i can take to a new doctor. i just wanted to put this out as to ensure i am not going crazy :/

thank you for reading my ramble!

[LSAT]

I don't believe that the problem is with the CPAP. There is no way every unit you touch could be bad. How do you KNOW that you are losing pressure? When you have a leak at the mask, the CPAP will compensate by raising the pressure to keep your prescribed pressure. The 'farting' is common. The silicone liner is allowing air to leak. Raising the pressure on your own will make the farting worse. Why don't you register and update your profile with your equipment. What mask are you using?

[Sheriff Buford]

Goodness gracious... I think it's not the machine... it's the mask. The sealing part of the mask weakens thru use, facial oils and every day wear and tear. I have known some hose heads that can go years with the same masks. I can go about 3-4 months before the mask leaks start becoming unmanagable and mask straps become unusable. Masks can last longer for some folks because everyone has a different face-structure and some masks can last longer than others.

Your machine (or machines) are not losing pressure.... it may be the mask....

Best of luck...

Sheriff

[Mary Z]

I agree, four machines in a row should not be faulty. Try a new mask. Good luck

[Lizistired]

Unless it's on a faulty electrical circuit...

[Perrybucsdad]

I have to agree with everyone else. I know I would get that mask sound if I had my straps for the mask too tight when I used my FFM. If you would update your profile to show us what you have we might be able to help better.

[louieC]

thanks for the feedback everyone!

my latest machine is the S9 Autoset. Previous are: REMstar Pro M series BiPap, and 2x REMstar pro with C-Flex in which I have used different masks but the most comfortable and better fitting has been the Mirage Quattro full face. That mask came with my first machine and was new as the previous owner had replacements. I will order a new mask and see how it goes. Is facial hair an issue? I keep a tightly trimmed beard but i started keeping it after the 2nd machine.

thanks again!

[Janknitz]

Facial hair may be preventing your mask from sealing. No seal = no Pressure.

[Perrybucsdad]

No need to order a whole new mask, just the cushions. Those pop off easily and can be changed many times before the entire mask needs to be replaced.

John

[louieC]

No need to order a whole new mask, just the cushions. Those pop off easily and can be changed many times before the entire mask needs to be replaced.

John

Thanks! I was just about to post that very question as I have found the entire to quite pricey and just the cushion to be a fraction of the cost on amazon.

[pap4life]

Hey louie..I'm riding in the same boat as others here. I don;t think we have CPAP blower problem. Your trials with those CPAP units has been frustrating I'm sure. Its something wrong with your masks ..and/or.. hose.

Check for a hole in the mask cushion or pillows part and check real good for a possible hole in your hose.

[TalonNYC]

Remember that silicone can be slowly degraded by oils. So the facial oils that we all produce will eventually break down the silicone of the mask cushion. Thankfully, nearly all insurance plans offer monthly cushion replacement to combat the issue. I have to replace mine about every 2 months, some can go six months or more, just depends on your chemistry =)

Meanwhile, facial hair can be a big issue. I went to a "split goatee" myself (no hair between my lower lip and chin), so that the cushion would only sit on bare skin. A missed shave or two is fine, but if I go longer than 2-3 days without shaving, I start getting leaks. Some folks have reported that facial hair is no issue, others shave completely because of it. Again, it has to do with the texture of your beard, so different for different people.

I also have the Quattro Mirage FFM, so I feel your pain. The good news is that you don't need to ratchet it down to keep it from leaking, and as a matter of fact; if it is too tight, it will leak MORE. The cushion needs to inflate slightly to work properly.

Get a replacement cushion, and lie in bed during non-sleeping time for about 30 min and slowly tighten the straps. Move your head around to see if leaks occur, and slowly tighten to fix them. Note that you'll never eliminate every single leak, but you want to make sure that you're not getting leaks all the time.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

[Mary Z]

sometimes it's not loss of pressure- but you can get your DME to check it- but you are so comfortable with the machine and adapt to pressure very easily. I often have to place my hand over the exhaust from the mask to be sure the machine is on.

[DoriC]

Hmm, What are your pressure settings,EPR settings? My husband has a FF mask with no facial hair and has to change his cushion and every 3-4months to prevent leaking. Our DME doesn't replace parts so we have to get a whole new mask instead which Medicare allows but the waste really bugs me.

[SleepingUgly]

I must be tired. I read subject title as "Re: new guy here! having loss of pleasure".

I have nothing to say about the real topic.