big trouble with new mask

[tvfrfireguy]

It is rare I have to visit this site but have encountered a rough patch as of late. I have been on cpap and now bipap since 1994. I finally had to give up nose pillows due to leaking through the mouth with a pressure of 19. I was fitted with a Resmed Quattro (med size) which would slide up the nose leaving my mouth open. Now I have the Resmed Quattro FX which leaks and wakes my wife every half hour. My wife and I are exhausted and the doctor and staff are on vacation. I have tried using my old chin strap in conjunction with the Quattro. A month ago, the insurance company fitted me with the mask and won't take back which was a Mirage Liberty and the nose pillows would leak about every five minutes. It didn't work at all. They fit you at the office and give you the bums rush and you get home only to find out they all leak. It seems to me like I need to lower the pressure as the volume with the new mask is almost double what the nasal pillow system provided. I asked the doctor and he said to keep it at 19. A pressure of nineteen is almost overwhelming and am at the end of my rope. Thanks for any help in this matter. David

[DEXSUZ]

fireguy: As I just got done telling Dori, go to a medical supply store and buy a soft velcro strap and have it altered/sewn so you have loops at each end of it and it can be placed under your chin and secured by running the two mandibular straps of your QFX before the straps are snapped into the mask. Works like a charm. Good luck. I had seven great hours of sleep last night. Here's wishing the best for you!

[STL Mark]

It may help to know which machine you have. I've read your post a couple of times and was not sure what you meant by the insurance company giving you a mask and not taking it back. Is this a company that mails you stuff or do you go to an office to get it? Most equipment providers will take things back if forced into it and allow you to switch to something else if it is within 30 days. Sometimes we use our insurance company to influence them if they initially refuse to act.

[tvfrfireguy]

What I mean by insurance company is the Providence Health System. I though I would could save on needless Doctor office visits as I knew I needed a new mask. Providence Health System has a division that handles all home medical equipment including cpap machines and accessories. I went to them and they fitted me with the liberty mirage and it didn't work. I called them and they told me they can't take them back. I then went to my doctors office and paid out of pocket for the Quattro mask which they would take back and was one third the price of the Providence mask. I am switching insurance providers this January and hopefully will have better luck. The previous posters idea of the strap under the chin sounds like it might work. Thanks to all and any help is appreciated. best regards, David

[tvfrfireguy]

It may help to know which machine you have. I've read your post a couple of times and was not sure what you meant by the insurance company giving you a mask and not taking it back. Is this a company that mails you stuff or do you go to an office to get it? Most equipment providers will take things back if forced into it and allow you to switch to something else if it is within 30 days. Sometimes we use our insurance company to influence them if they initially refuse to act.

I forgot to mention that I have a Philips Respironics Bipap machine.

[DoriC]

I can't say for sure but it sounds like your Quattro FF isn't fitting right. Were you properly measured by the RT? Did they try different sizes on you? Or were you just "eyeballed"? Have you experimented with the forehead dial? Do your straps have enough tension and fit around your head correctly? Lots of questions but hopefully one of them might help you find the answer.