Help with masks (especially Sleepweaver Anew)

Hello! I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea last fall, and I've been having a lot of trouble getting acclimated to my CPAP and finding a comfortable mask. I'm a mouth breather and use a full face mask. My home sleep test showed an average of 9 events per hour.

I was started on the Sol full face mask (medium size), which I found so uncomfortable that I switched to the AirFit F40 within days (also medium). I've mostly used that since, but it's not comfortable for me as a side sleeper because the hard headgear pushes into my cheek and compromises mask seal. I was told to sleep at the edge of the pillow, but I don't find that comfortable either. Also, the mask presses against my mouth uncomfortably.

I bought a Sleepweaver Anew (size regular) in the hopes of dealing with these two problems of side sleeping and mouth compression. I was aware that many people have seal problems but was hoping I would be one of the lucky ones. So far my experience with seal have been variable; the first couple of days I had leaks of up to 8 LPM but with some tightening I got it down to 5 or 6. The third day, after washing and drying it, leaks were up to about 10, and I felt much more aware of the leaking lying in bed. Since then I've given it a break and I've actually gone back to the Sol, which turns out to be OK for side sleeping (due to fairly unobtrusive headgear around the sides) although still uncomfortable. I am getting leaks averaging 5 LPM with this mask.

(I know these leak levels are not necessarily a huge deal, but I was approaching zero with the AirFit so it was a bit of a contrast.)

I am puzzled, though, about how the Sleepweaver is supposed to fit. It seems snug under the mouth, but it doesn't seal to my face on top (on either side of the nose). But when I turn on the air, it inflates, and I don't generally feel air escaping when I put my hand over it. So my question to those of you who have successfully used the Anew is: Should it be sealing around my face/connecting with my skin on all sides, or is it supposed to be a little open on top? I'm just not sure whether I have the wrong face shape for this mask or if it's behaving the way it's supposed to.

I am also open to suggestions for other full face masks that might solve these issues for me. So far I've been sleeping fitfully with a mask and not really benefiting from the therapy.

Thanks, everyone!

RuheSanft wrote: ↑

Sat Jun 13, 2026 9:53 pm

I am puzzled, though, about how the Sleepweaver is supposed to fit.

Thanks, everyone!

welcome to the zoo! finding the right mask is something we all seem to go through. I don't use the mask you do. but I might suggest you go to YouTube and search for mask fitting videos and be sure you out the mask name in your search field.

good luck!