My provider

It appears my provider is mostly concerned about results. I explained to the provider my concern about my average events per hour going up and issues with leaking getting me awake. Well the ResMed app does not show momentary leaks like OSCAR does. He told me I was overthinking the issue. I was given a F&P Vertera full face mask to try. It was horrible. leaks that I could not stop regardless of how tight made it. It was the return visit where the person told me I was overthinking my events per hour and never really addressed my leak complaint. On my first visit the rep told me that I had the mask too tight, so when the Vertera did not work I went back to the Air Fit F20 and did not make it as tight. Too much leaking, it was be as tight as I was making it. I still deal with leaks at times, but just make it tighter. All this to say, I will ask my questions and get my advice from this forum. Providers giving information who do not use a CPAP just are not much help.

People that do not use PAP machines do not understand how much leaks can disrupt a person's sleep.

I could not agree with you more. He said if the leaks bothered me I was not really asleep.

You know if it were me and that idiot DME told me the sun rises in the East I think I would be going outside and checking for myself.

chzuck wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:41 am

He said if the leaks bothered me I was not really asleep.

Well...duh...if the leaks wakes a person up then by all means...they weren't really asleep but the leaks are what caused it. Dumb ass.

Yeah, I will not get any help there. Here is where I will learn!
Your mask looks pretty good, but I am a mouth breather with nasal issues, so it would be out for me.

I am a happy user of the F&P Vitera. There are three sizes available, hopefully you got the right size... if not, a fit kit is available with all three.

a) Fit your mask at your normal pressure... if you're Ramping, or 4-20ing, you'll have leak problems when the pressure goes up. The machine has a Mask Fit menu item, try it. Be aware that if you've got your range set to top at 20cm that's the pressure you'll fit at! Find your therapeutic pressure by examining your sleep report or Oscar... set that as top pressure... then do Mask Fit... then set it back. I'm running 14-20 and hardly ever hit 15... so just normal 'turn it on and fit it' works fine, I fit at 14cm. Be aware that the Mask Fit algorithm steps down in pressure after it starts... so watch for that... it goes between your high and low settings.

b) Fit your mask without headgear on at first. Just hold the mask in your hand with the machine pumping at your good pressure and lightly apply it to your face/nose/snout. The mask is meant to balloon to create a seal... the edge of the cushion lips are forced out and create the good seal. Normally this happens (on FF/nasal mask) when the bottom is tighter and the top is allowed to float outward... with my Vitera I can put two fingers between my forehead and the top brace. If you can get a good seal this way then you probably have the right size... try to emulate that fit with the headgear. The Vitera has a special 'roll' of silicone at the top that allows much more freedom of movement... too tight here and that can't happen. Too tight and wrinkles cause leaks. There are literally dozens of YouTube videos on fitting the Vitera mask, here's one of my faves:

Review:
https://youtu.be/ZTvziBMUg94?si=FSPmXIVV7pK9y6n4&t=89
Fitment:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk2XV9H7zlU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW38O67MlXs

c) With front hoses, you have another item in your leak arsenal. I find that I'm wrangling the hose to reposition it and prevent leaking pretty much all night... it becomes second nature. Often I find myself holding the hose in my hand against my chest when dropping off to sleep. Hose-wrangling is a big part of CPAP for me, not interested in those head-top masks, hate stuff touching my nose anyway (sorry Evora). With my Vitera I often find that bottom-leaks (along the chin) and eye-leaks (along the nose bridge near the eyes) are *both* solved by pulling the mask downward so that it rides at the bottom of my (closed) chin.

Perhaps I will give the Vitera another try after I view the links you sent me. I was told very little on how to fit it, just give it a try. Those providers are telling people stuff they knew little about. They should have to wear the stuff.

vandownbytheriver wrote: ↑

Sat Mar 23, 2024 3:16 pm

I am a happy user of the F&P Vitera. There are three sizes available, hopefully you got the right size... if not, a fit kit is available with all three.
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c) With front hoses, you have another item in your leak arsenal. I find that I'm wrangling the hose to reposition it and prevent leaking pretty much all night... it becomes second nature. Often I find myself holding the hose in my hand against my chest when dropping off to sleep. Hose-wrangling is a big part of CPAP for me, not interested in those head-top masks, hate stuff touching my nose anyway (sorry Evora). With my Vitera I often find that bottom-leaks (along the chin) and eye-leaks (along the nose bridge near the eyes) are *both* solved by pulling the mask downward so that it rides at the bottom of my (closed) chin.

Pretty much the same as above for me with same mask but not too much issue wrangling the hose. Does not disturb me much at all and seems to follow my different positions well.

I run my hose across the bed head on top of a pillow( on its side) ... and bring it down over my left shoulder if lying on my back. The machine is on my right shoulder side.

My head pillow is slightly forward of the wall pillow ie a small gap.

Have been keen to try a medium mask instead of the large though.

Will do so one day but my mask and head gear seems to get better the older it is. (now about 7 months)..and I have a new rig spare already ...unused.

I tried that mask and just could not get it adjusted to avoid leaks and it seemed the air was coming in right at my mouth and felt like the blast was trying to blow my lips open. Too be fair, I need to look at a video of how to properly put it on. My provider was not too clear on that. In fact after my second visit, I am considering looking for another provider.