Finally, a mask that works for me - Quattro FX

[wardmiller]

I started out with a Philips mask for a week, but we could not stop the leaks. Then I went to a ResMed Mirage Quattro. It was inconsistent. One night it was great, the next it leaked loudly. I tried all the adjustment tricks, sometimes nothing would work. Over about a 5 week period, twice I just took it off and slept without it.

Yesterday, my DME gave me a ResMed Quattro FX. It does not have the forehead piece the others had, and is smaller and lighter overall. We put the VPAP machine in FIT MASK mode, where it gives the full blast, and easily adjusted it for no leaks. Last night, I did the same thing, made minor adjustments, then set the machine for its normal start-up. Never woke during the night. In fact, I over slept 45 minutes this morning. I hope I'm not jinxing it by bragging, but it seems I've finally found the mask for me.

BTW, on recommendations from others, I've spent more than $100 on accessories -- that didn't work for me. I was fighting my pillow, so I bought a PAPillow. It looked like a good design for the patient with a full-face mask. For me, it was too thick, and too firm. It gave me a crick in my neck and it actually interfered with the mask. So I gave up on that and use it for a seat cushion in my computer desk's chair. After a few more months, I may have softened it enough to to use it for its intended use.

Also, I purchased a nose pad from Pad A Cheek for the Mirage mask. It did not seem to make a difference. My nose still got red and sore. Then I purchased a full-face liner from them, hoping it would minimize the ever present leaks. I tried it and found I could not eliminate loud nose leaks, so gave up. My therapist later told me it was his experience that type of liner did not work well at the higher pressures -- I'm using 18/15.

I want to be clear, I'm neither recommending nor condemning these products. Just mentioning my experience, for consideration by others.

[teachcsg]

Thanks for the feedback on the products you use. I have advised pts that are having leak issues to get the mask liners based on reports / reviews on this board. I have never used them (and I tell my pts that) because the DME's where I have worked do not carry them but the reviews seem to be positive so I mention it to them.
Like most CPAP products- what works well for one person will not work as well for someone else.
On that note, in my experience the Quattro FX seems to leak with higher pressures. Now, all mask leak at high pressures but the FX seems to work better at lower pressures (12 and under) and leak more than the standard quattro at the higher settings. This has been my experience with fitting pts. It will start off well then start leaking (like your experiece with the quattro) after a few nights.
Hopefully this will not happen to you.
Most full face mask will wear down quicker than the other mask-especially when used on higher pressures, you may want to order a new face cushion every month (most insurance companies will allow 1 per month) as this will keep the mask sealing like it should.
Best of Luck!

[chunkyfrog]

I have found that for me, mask liners do not so much stop the leaks, as silence them,
and reduce the wet contact sensation, allowing me to sleep in spite of the leaks and sweaty face.
I am hoping that one of these days there is a Sleepweaver cloth full face, so I don't have to fight my flappy yap.

[Sheriff Buford]

Glad everything worked out for you! The cpap is a unique journey and your is unique for you. If you have found a comfortable mask and can control the leaks... you pretty much reached the promise land. That being said, don't let your guard down. Be sensitive to your health. If you run onto a rash of leaks or an AHI burst... If you are sensitive to your health, you can probably see what may have caused the the outburst. The last couple of nights, I have been waking up... which is very unusual for me. No big deal, but it is unusual for me. Best of luck!

Sheriff

[zoocrewphoto]

On that note, in my experience the Quattro FX seems to leak with higher pressures. Now, all mask leak at high pressures but the FX seems to work better at lower pressures (12 and under) and leak more than the standard quattro at the higher settings. This has been my experience with fitting pts. It will start off well then start leaking (like your experience with the quattro) after a few nights.

I use the Quattro FX, and my settings are 11-17. Once I mastered the fitting, it rarely gives me any leak unless I started sweating a lot or drool too much. I can usually stick a kleenex in under the seal to wipe out any drool the first couple times. But eventually, it will get bad enough that it leaks. Then I take it off, dry it off and I am good again.

Overall, though, I don't find any problem with the pressure and the max. I do wake up sometimes when it gets to 15 or higher, but that is usually because I need that pressure on my back, and I tend to flap my cheeks and swallow air a little when it gets that high. The mask is still okay.

[wardmiller]

I should have mentioned in my initial post how putting it on correctly seems to influence its performance. The instructions (I know, who reads the instructions?) say to unclip BOTH lower straps, then with the bottom of the mask tilted away from your face, place the top tip of the mask on the bridge of your nose, finally swinging the mask down to your chin. While holding it in that position, clip one lower strap and then the other to the mask. Obviously, this tends to get the seals set up properly for inflation by the air pressure.

And I'd like to again emphasize using the machine's FIT MASK mode, where the top air pressure is immediately applied, spots any leaks right now, not after you are asleep.

[hyperlexis]

The QFX is great. I really have enjoyed it and it has an extremely comfortable cushion. Plus you can wear glasses with it. But I have found it leaks more than the Mirage Quattro, especially when I sleep on my side/stomach. The MQ is much better with that, however its more cumbersome and has the bulky center support. But it's still very comfortable and more leak free for me than the QFX.

I am hoping someone releases a new full-face mask with the same accordion cushion as the ResMed Activa nasal mask which allows for a lot of movement but keeps a tight seal. Please ResMed!!!!!

[Denial Dave]

Regarding the papillow. Its fairly easy to open & remove stuffing. I pulled out about a third of it. Its now a perfect pillow for me.

[Posey]

I thought the Quattro was a good mask for me as I have never shown any major leaks with it. But last night somehow I found a way to get my lower lip out of the mask. At that point the blower took off & I woke up with the Sahara desert in my mouth
I got up, drank lots of water and finally got the mask back in place & returned to sleep. MY AHI was higher for last night so I just had a bad night all around.

[lazer]

I am having a very difficult time with this mask under higher pressures of say 14cm and up. I seem to either spring a leak(s) at the top and or bottom and have tightened on the straps gradually per night to no avail. Otherwise I sleep good in this mask barring the leaks and wish I could get it to work.

[zoocrewphoto]

What size mask are you using? If it is not a small size, try going down one size.

[lazer]

What size mask are you using? If it is not a small size, try going down one size.

Surprisingly, It's a large and that is what the little hickey showed as required by me per the DME that they use to measure that area from the bridge of the nose to chin (lower lip) or whatever. I was rather surprised as in nasal pillows I always used a "medium". Although come to think about it, when I switched off to the Sleepweaver Elan and had been using the med/small or whatever base mask and wasn't fairing so well, when I switched to the large in it that came with the package, I started to do better with the leaks so go figure.

No idea what to do next except figure out that T-shirt liner thing and try that.

[zoocrewphoto]

I would switch to a medium. I wear a small, and it is technically a tad too big for me. I have to get it just right. Too high, and it leaks out my eyes. Too low, and it leaks when I smile. Every now and then, it leaks at both ends. But most of the time, I can get it just right. I really wish they had an extra small. I also have to order the smaller headgear, or it slides around a bit.

[lazer]

I would switch to a medium. I wear a small, and it is technically a tad too big for me. I have to get it just right. Too high, and it leaks out my eyes. Too low, and it leaks when I smile. Every now and then, it leaks at both ends. But most of the time, I can get it just right. I really wish they had an extra small. I also have to order the smaller headgear, or it slides around a bit.

I'll have to consider that. I did make sure when getting this mask via the DME that it was under the 30 day trial which it is. Thanks!