Mask leaks...

[BCampbell]

I don't know why it seems some night every mask I have leaks . Tonight is one of those nights ...... I have two different mask in the bed with me I keep changing back and forth but I can get one to stop leaking ... I hate night like this ...

[avi123]

Do we need to guess what masks you're talking about?

[BCampbell]

I have a flex fit. And a blue gel the flex fit leaks around my chin and the gel one at my eyes. If I tighten them enoug to stop I give my self a headache it's almost 2am I need to go to sleep I have to get up at 7 for work. I hope if I keep adjusting I will get one to work

[BCampbell]

There both full face mask

[zoocrewphoto]

If you ask about each mask in its own topic, with the mask listed in the subject, you will get tips about how to fit them better. It is possible that these mask don't fit your face well, but it could also be a matter of practice and tips that the DME doesn't help with.

For example, I have a Resmed Quattro FX which is also a full face mask. It fit perfectly at the sleep study. Over 5 hours without a single leak. But when I tried at home, it leaked like crazy. I spent a lot of time in the middle of the night swearing at it. It mostly leaked at my eyes, but sometimes at my chin instead. From what people told me here, I needed to set it just a little lower on my face to keep it from leaking into my eyes. Too low, and it would leak at the chin. I have a small face, so I really need an extra small, but that does not exist. Also, due to the way most of the masks work, it works best to have the mask a little loose, rather than tight, so that the seal can properly inflate. This is not something that comes naturally as we tend to want to tighten it. But that can cause new leaks.

It took some practice, but I now get it to fit on the first try about 50% of the time, and usually within 3 tries. (it used to take 10-20 tries sometimes). I can also go a couple weeks without adjusting the velcro straps now. I used to adjust them several times a night. So, I can assure that it is possible for a mask that starts off with a ton of leaks may get better with practice. Not all masks will. But if the mask feels comfortable on your face, chances are that leaks can be improved with practice.

[BCampbell]

I am thinking they are the wrong size they are medium but on the flex fix
It leaks under my chin but if I try to pull it up it leaks in my eyes. If I leave it lose
It leaks really bad so I tighten it as much as I can it stops the leaks but it hurts
The gel fit also leaks in my eyes. Some night I want to throw them across the room
But I keep working with it and I finally get it to work

[LSAT]

I am thinking they are the wrong size they are medium but on the flex fix
It leaks under my chin but if I try to pull it up it leaks in my eyes. If I leave it lose
It leaks really bad so I tighten it as much as I can it stops the leaks but it hurts
The gel fit also leaks in my eyes. Some night I want to throw them across the room
But I keep working with it and I finally get it to work

Fill your equipment into your profile.

[Chikorita]

I know what you mean about throwing them across the room. I did the same yesterday and slept without my mask. I regretted it as soon as I woke up.

[zoocrewphoto]

I've had nights like that. Sometimes, you feel like you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. The first couple months had a LOT of leaks, and a lot of swearing in the middle of the night. I would then give up and go to bed because I just wanted to be unconscious. But I didn't feel good after those nights. And while it isn't worse than before I started cpap, now that I know the difference, it feels worse. I've only had one morning headache, and it was after a long night without my machine. I fell asleep watching tv and slept through the night (very rare), so my oxygen reduction was more severe than normal.

I am 7 months in, and I still have some hit and miss nights. Most nights, I do pretty well. The leaks are minor, my bathroom trips are fewer, and I can usually get a 3-4.5 hour stretch followed by a bathroom break and another 2-4 hour stretch. So, that is way better than before cpap. On rare occasions, I get a really awesome night, and I feel awesome all day. It is still rare, but awesome enough that I continue to strive for that as my goal. I would love to get a few of those every week.

[Roger2]

As zoocrewphoto pointed out, your mask will leak if you have it too tight. I also found from my own experience that in addition, if you tend to perspire a lot in the night that the natural oils in your facial skin can also cause leaks. I keep a box of those disposable facial wites at my bedside to wipe my face with if I wake up with leaks. That along with readjusting the headgear usually works.

pax
Roger

[49er]

I don't know why it seems some night every mask I have leaks . Tonight is one of those nights ...... I have two different mask in the bed with me I keep changing back and forth but I can get one to stop leaking ... I hate night like this ...

For what it is worth, I recently returned a 431 FP Flexfit for a full refund because I could not get it to stop making those infamous farting noises. I tried every trick in the book to make this work to no avail.

So far, just like Zoocrew, I have had the best luck in keeping my leak rates down with the Quattro FX. It hasn't been perfect by any means but at least it is a situation I can deal with for now.

Unfortunately, I have no good advice for you but I did want to let you know about my experience with the 431 Flexfit.

49er

[BCampbell]

Thanks for your feed back on the flex fit. Some nights it drives me nuts
I do not have insurance so I have to pay for everything so I can't afford to change the mask right now
But I will try the mask you mentioned next time I get a new one
Thanks

[DougalMcDougal]

I have a Resmed Quattro FX which is also a full face mask. It fit perfectly at the sleep study. Over 5 hours without a single leak. But when I tried at home, it leaked like crazy. I spent a lot of time in the middle of the night swearing at it. It mostly leaked at my eyes, but sometimes at my chin instead. From what people told me here, I needed to set it just a little lower on my face to keep it from leaking into my eyes.

i have the same mask and occasionally have the same problem with leaks near the eyes - but if i set it lower, it tends to compress my nasal passages making it more difficult to breath
- any tips in this situation?

[meissen]

I tried the small Quattro FX which the DME technician said was the correct size for my face. I felt like it was right on my lower lip so I kept pulling the mask down to be between my lip and my chin which caused it to ride too low on my nose, putting pressure on my sinuses like you describe. I switched to the medium Quattro FX and that helped a lot. Now I feel like it's the right size... but I still deal with leaks every night around 2am.

[zoocrewphoto]

i have the same mask and occasionally have the same problem with leaks near the eyes - but if i set it lower, it tends to compress my nasal passages making it more difficult to breath
- any tips in this situation?

I don't have any suggestions as I have no experience with that. I know that some people will get immediate congestion or the feeling of blockage if they have pressure there. I don't breathe through my nose that much, especially while lying down. So, I don't know if I would even notice.

Perhaps try higher up where it leaks, but use a liner to see if it reduces the leak or at least redirects it off your eyes. You can cut a piece off a t-shirt, or buy a ready made liner. Padacheek makes good liners, highly recommended. I haven't tried one yet, but I see them mentioned a lot. And Remzzz makes a liner. If you do a search, you can find a post from them and send a private message. They will send you a sample pack.

I have also found that leaks that bothered me intensely at first are not so bad now. For example, I couldn't stand the sound of any leak, even if I couldn't even feel it. I would have to take the mask off and start over. Last week, I had a small leak near my eye. I could feel it just a tiny bit, and I could hear it. I was tired and decided I would try to sleep with it. I slept almost 6 hours before I woke up. That is more than normal, and I was very happy with it. So, I am learning to accept the smaller issues instead of fighting with them so much. I am 7 months into this, so it is still a bit new for me.