MASK PROBLEMS!!!

[nobody]

That mask is driving me crazy!! I adjust it and adjust it and it keeps leaking and waking me up!! I even went to the DME and got a brand new one, and that one leaks too!! This happens periodically for reasons completely unknown to me! I don't change anything but it's like suddenly the mask doesn't fit or work right. WTH!!! Tonight I'm switching to the nasal mask for a while. I much prefer the full face mask but this is making me crazy.

[LSAT]

Everyone's face is different. I found it very easy to move from nasal mask to Quattro. I have no problems with leaks. Have you followed fitting instructions??? You can't have it too tight...then it will leak.

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

[osmium sleeper]

Perhaps the Quattro is not the right mask for you.

[Paul56]

That mask is driving me crazy!! I adjust it and adjust it and it keeps leaking and waking me up!! I even went to the DME and got a brand new one, and that one leaks too!! This happens periodically for reasons completely unknown to me! I don't change anything but it's like suddenly the mask doesn't fit or work right. WTH!!! Tonight I'm switching to the nasal mask for a while. I much prefer the full face mask but this is making me crazy.

With the Quattro you can try...

- leaving the upper straps just snug but not overly tight then use
the forehead adjustment knob to fine tune. Often, the forehead
pad on mine was not even touching my forehead.

-snug up the lower straps such that you are comfortable.

-perhaps you need a different size

-perhaps the face cushion has gone opaque and a new one
would help?

-oddly enough with my Quattro I used to find an unwashed
mask would have a lower leak rate than a pristine one

[nobody]

Everyone's face is different. I found it very easy to move from nasal mask to Quattro. I have no problems with leaks. Have you followed fitting instructions??? You can't have it too tight...then it will leak.

http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

Actually the only thing that stops the leaks is tightening it too tight but when I have it that tight my sinuses get plugged up. I have used this make/model mask for years and this only happens periodically. I don't know why!

[MaxDarkside]

-perhaps the face cushion has gone opaque

The DME never told me when a mask is "worn out", just that my insurance will pay for a new one every 6 months. Is this a criterion... opaque face "gasket"? I can order just that I think, rather than replace the entire mask, as mine after 7 weeks is noticeably cloudy looking, probably from daily washing.

[LSAT]

-perhaps the face cushion has gone opaque

The DME never told me when a mask is "worn out", just that my insurance will pay for a new one every 6 months. Is this a criterion... opaque face "gasket"? I can order just that I think, rather than replace the entire mask, as mine after 7 weeks is noticeably cloudy looking, probably from daily washing.

Cloudy doesn't hurt the mask. When you can no longer get a good seal, you need a replacement.....Mine lasts 3-4 months.

[MaxDarkside]

Cloudy doesn't hurt the mask. When you can no longer get a good seal, you need a replacement.....Mine lasts 3-4 months.

OK, thanks. I forget what size mine is, I didn't get the package, but I searched around the web and if the dimension of the hard plastic big part of the mask, from center of the groove that holds the face cushion at the top to the center of the groove at the bottom is 3 5/8ths inches it is Small, 4 inches it is Medium and if it is 4 3/8ths inches it is Large. You would think they would put the size on that part, but... oh, there it is, "L" just below the air intake port. Took a while to find it on mine.

[archangle]

You may be able to find replacement cushions and flaps pretty cheaply on e-bay. It might be cheaper or easier than dealing with the DME.

Try taking the old parts and running them through the dishwasher before throwing them out. A really good cleaning might rejuvenate them, or might not.

[MaxDarkside]

You may be able to find replacement cushions and flaps pretty cheaply on e-bay. It might be cheaper or easier than dealing with the DME.

And I could support our sponsor here and order them here. I see they have the face cushion for mine and I think that since I've gotten so much helpful value here, tried to give back what little I can so far, I should and shall patronize the host.

[Guest]

That mask is driving me crazy!! I adjust it and adjust it and it keeps leaking and waking me up!! I even went to the DME and got a brand new one, and that one leaks too!! This happens periodically for reasons completely unknown to me! I don't change anything but it's like suddenly the mask doesn't fit or work right. WTH!!! Tonight I'm switching to the nasal mask for a while. I much prefer the full face mask but this is making me crazy.

I have the same problem with my FFM. It seems that it fits a little differently each night. I try to put it on exactly the same each night, but I can't find a way to make it fit exactly the same each night.

Try moving your mask around after you put it on--tiny movements. Sometimes that helps me. Also consider using one of the mask gaskets. You can make one out of a t-shirt, or buy one from Padacheek. There's another brand that people like that is not as reusable. Maybe someone can remember the name of it.

[nobody]

I couldn't switch to the nasal one last night because I couldn't find the tape for my mouth I once had a tech at the sleep lab tell me that they don't usually see people's mouths coming open and something else must be wrong. I didn't believe it. Even a chinstrap is useless because it doesn't stop my lip opening.

[Guest]

I once had a tech at the sleep lab tell me that they don't usually see people's mouths coming open and something else must be wrong. I didn't believe it.

You are right not to believe it. Sleep techs believe in a myth, that if the pressure is right, you won't open you mouth. This is clearly fiction, but the belief is so strong that some labs ONLY stock nasal interfaces for sleep studies.

Clearly, a person's required pressure can change during the night, or from night to night. So even if the sleep industry is right about their belief, they are wrong in the application of it.

But they are not right. Many people here have reported that they know why their mouths come open. It's not to breathe. It's because the jaw just naturally relaxes and falls open. It has nothing to do with the pressure.