Suggestions?

Okay , HOPEFULLY this wil be the last thread started by me for some time. I had no idea I'd end up with so many questions and concerns.

I have been battling with my Quattro since Sunday night.. it's uncomforatable and it leaks, I can't sleep on my side, etc, etc. The main issue is leaks. I like the idea of being able to breathe through my mouth but whatever, I can adjust to nose breathing.

The other mask I have is a Respironics EasyLIfe Nasal mask and it fits great, it seals no problem and it's very comforatable. The problem is I am getting mouth leaks, I don't know how much or how bad they are but they do occur.

So now I am torn until next Thursday. I made an appointment with my sleep therapist (that was the soonest available) I told them my issues and asked if thye sold chin straps, the receptionist said it's best to see the therapist to determine if this is the fix or not.

So for now, should I use the nasal mask where I know I will sleep through the night without waking up a million times to readjust the mask? Or do I wear the the full face mask and suffer through all the mask leaks? Basically I am trying to decide if I want mouth leaks or mask leaks. What would you do? I am not having any luck wiith this Quattro. It takes me forever to fall asleep as well.

Blah! I gotta get all these little issues sorted out!

Its a no-brainer, really. Use the mask that lets you sleep!!!!! Constantly waking up w/the Quattro is totally destroying your sleep. Even if your leak rate is way too high, the fact that you are able to SLEEP says what therapy you are getting is fairly effective

I use both the Quattro and a nasal mask with chin straps. I don't have a problem with either. With my nasal mask I use the papcap which is ,in my opinion, the best chin strap available. It is available on line only at pure-sleep.com. You will not get it from your therapist or DME. I use the Quattro the most because I like just dealing with a mask and not a mask and chinstrap.

OCDP wrote:Okay , HOPEFULLY this wil be the last thread started by me for some time. I had no idea I'd end up with so many questions and concerns.

I have been battling with my Quattro since Sunday night.. it's uncomforatable and it leaks, I can't sleep on my side, etc, etc. The main issue is leaks. I like the idea of being able to breathe through my mouth but whatever, I can adjust to nose breathing.

The other mask I have is a Respironics EasyLIfe Nasal mask and it fits great, it seals no problem and it's very comforatable. The problem is I am getting mouth leaks, I don't know how much or how bad they are but they do occur.

So now I am torn until next Thursday. I made an appointment with my sleep therapist (that was the soonest available) I told them my issues and asked if thye sold chin straps, the receptionist said it's best to see the therapist to determine if this is the fix or not.

So for now, should I use the nasal mask where I know I will sleep through the night without waking up a million times to readjust the mask? Or do I wear the the full face mask and suffer through all the mask leaks? Basically I am trying to decide if I want mouth leaks or mask leaks. What would you do? I am not having any luck wiith this Quattro. It takes me forever to fall asleep as well.

Blah! I gotta get all these little issues sorted out!

Your post raises more questions than it does answers...
How do you know what your leaks are ?? What Pressure ??? etc
What is your AHI at this point ??
My guess... Comfortable mask + mouth breathing = FF Mask and less leaks but more arousals... Higher AHI...

You need to complete the picture.
Nord

WHERE is the Quattro leaking?
Are you sure it's the correct size?
How do you have it adjusted? Between the forehead adjustment and strap tensions, there are almost an infinite number of adjustments that can be made to these masks. If they're too tight, they can leak as bad as if they're too loose. With my masks, I set the forehead support as far out as possible (with the Quattro, you would screw the knob all the way to the right) and have the top straps loose and any tension on the bottom straps.
Many of the Quattro masks also had leaks from the elbow in the front of the mask. Pulling it out and wrapping with some Teflon plumber's tape (3 or 4 wraps) seals it up.


Den

I have no problem answering any questions. You'll have to bare with me as I have only been on CPAP for a week.

And secondly this is a one month "trial/rental" period through the sleep clinic. This is not my machine and I do not have access to any of the data. All's I have access to is the 90% pressure and average length of time used. I should have noted this in the original post, sorry.

My pressure has been staying between 9 and 10. I don't know "what my leaks are" ? All's I know is I can feel them and hear them. I don't know what else to say , I don't have access to the data/software. The Quattro leaks all the time, I have adjusted and fitted it more times than I can count.. from loose, to snug, to tight and everything in between. The nasal stays in place and seals without any issues.

As mentioned I can breathe through my nose only, but once I fall asleep I can't control my mouth opening, hence why a chinstrap might be useful.
Again sorry I can't provide more useful information, this is only a trial period and I should have stated so in the original post. Just looking for suggestions is all... I guess it makes most sense to use the mask I can tolerate and sleep with over the one that hurts my nose, leaks and keeps me up all night.

Your post raises more questions than it does answers...
How do you know what your leaks are ?? What Pressure ??? etc
What is your AHI at this point ??
My guess... Comfortable mask + mouth breathing = FF Mask and less leaks but more arousals... Higher AHI...

You need to complete the picture.

First you aquire a XPAP, that uses software to record USEFUL sleep data. Then get the software to read that data and anything else needed, (reader ect). Then you can see if and when changes are needed and by posting your dailies data others can help you with decisions to better your treatment. Jim

You also need to log-in to the forum and keep your profile up to date, In text not ICONNY

Wulfman wrote:WHERE is the Quattro leaking?
Are you sure it's the correct size?
How do you have it adjusted? Between the forehead adjustment and strap tensions, there are almost an infinite number of adjustments that can be made to these masks. If they're too tight, they can leak as bad as if they're too loose. With my masks, I set the forehead support as far out as possible (with the Quattro, you would screw the knob all the way to the right) and have the top straps loose and any tension on the bottom straps.
Many of the Quattro masks also had leaks from the elbow in the front of the mask. Pulling it out and wrapping with some Teflon plumber's tape (3 or 4 wraps) seals it up.


Den

It leaks at the very top of the nose on the left and right sides, it blows right into my eyes, I also get leaks near the ends of my lips as my cheeks puff up from the pressure, again causing more leaks.. but these ones are minor.. the mainly happen at the top of my nose on both sides.

I would hope it's the correct size as my sleep therapist fitted and adjusted for me, so I doubt that's the issue. I have obviously re-adjusted as the way he had it setup wasn't working. It's different to adjust sitting up as that all changes for me when I lay down. I swear I have adjusted that mask in so many different ways and variations, even the ones suggested. I just can't see the point in using a mask that requires that much fine tuning? What happens when you take it apart, wash the headgear, clean the mask? You have to go through the whole process again just to find the sweet spot? It's unfortunate that this seems to be the case because when it is on properly and seated well, sealed up, etc, it's a fairly comforatable mask... but this happens maybe half hour out of every night so far.

My main concern is switching back to the nasal and having worse leaks thus less treatment, but using the Quattro I am constantly woken up and re-adjusting , etc, etc..

Sorry for the long posts, I am a bit crabby and tired today haha

You might want to try some homemade fixes between now and your appointment time.

I sleep on my side and I use a pillow in front of me to support my arm (shoulder problems). I would jam this pillow up under my chin to help it stay closed. I also use a little chapstick on the lips--it makes them tacky and sort of holds them lightly together. I've trained myself to keep my mouth closed and no longer need to use the pillow.

You might also try a homemade chinstrap--e.g. a nylon stocking, a head band, or a piece of knit fabric cut from a T-shirt. A lot of people report these work better than a commercial chin strap anyway.

Some people tape their lips with medical tape or painter's tape with good results. You can find directions if you look around here.

Stick with the mask that lets you sleep in comfort. Ultimately, that's what it's all about.

Minor leaks that you can't hear but can feel don't really count I found to my surprise w/the Resmed's S8 Mask Fit option.

Running your fingertip along the seam line between mask cushion and your facial tissue will eliminate or greatly reduce many leaks.

I never could get the Quattro or the Micro to fit comfortably. I hated that thin outer cushion cover slicing into the bridge of my nose. And it is not like either one was my first mask to try - or even among the first masks I tried. I've found the simple cushions much more comfortable and much more successful for me.

You might also want to consider one of the oro-nasal masks such as the Hybrid or Liberty. They act as a form of full face mask.

Meanwhile, ditch the Quattro, be comfortable and get some sleep w/the nasal cushion mask.

Thank you for the suggestions! I will see what I can do for a home made chin strap tonight, lip chap also seems like a good idea. I tried taping the other night, it didn't last long. I don't like my mouth being so sealed shut.. so I went back to the full face mask.

I never thought of home made chin straps..

OCDP wrote:

Wulfman wrote:WHERE is the Quattro leaking?
Are you sure it's the correct size?
How do you have it adjusted? Between the forehead adjustment and strap tensions, there are almost an infinite number of adjustments that can be made to these masks. If they're too tight, they can leak as bad as if they're too loose. With my masks, I set the forehead support as far out as possible (with the Quattro, you would screw the knob all the way to the right) and have the top straps loose and any tension on the bottom straps.
Many of the Quattro masks also had leaks from the elbow in the front of the mask. Pulling it out and wrapping with some Teflon plumber's tape (3 or 4 wraps) seals it up.


Den

It leaks at the very top of the nose on the left and right sides, it blows right into my eyes, I also get leaks near the ends of my lips as my cheeks puff up from the pressure, again causing more leaks.. but these ones are minor.. the mainly happen at the top of my nose on both sides.

I would hope it's the correct size as my sleep therapist fitted and adjusted for me, so I doubt that's the issue. I have obviously re-adjusted as the way he had it setup wasn't working. It's different to adjust sitting up as that all changes for me when I lay down. I swear I have adjusted that mask in so many different ways and variations, even the ones suggested. I just can't see the point in using a mask that requires that much fine tuning? What happens when you take it apart, wash the headgear, clean the mask? You have to go through the whole process again just to find the sweet spot? It's unfortunate that this seems to be the case because when it is on properly and seated well, sealed up, etc, it's a fairly comforatable mask... but this happens maybe half hour out of every night so far.

My main concern is switching back to the nasal and having worse leaks thus less treatment, but using the Quattro I am constantly woken up and re-adjusting , etc, etc..

Sorry for the long posts, I am a bit crabby and tired today haha

If you have any "angle" in the forehead support, it could be pulling the upper seal away from the bridge of your nose.
Just because some "therapist" fitted you with it, doesn't mean it's the right size. I've read so many posts to that effect and when the user got the proper templates (they're downloadable from the manufacturer's website) or done the measurements as per CPAP.COM's mask sizing link, they found out they had the wrong size.

You don't HAVE to take a mask apart to clean it. I've NEVER taken mine apart to clean them.......just unhooked the headgear straps and washed everything together. Once I get them tweaked, I hardly ever have to make any further adjustments. The Velcro keeps everything where it was.

By the way, bed pillows can make a huge difference in mask leakage. "Standard" bed pillows can push the mask out of alignment if you head sinks down into them. There are pillows that work better for this therapy. I have mine listed in my profile. Others use different ones.


Den