trouble with leaks at new pressure

Hello

I have been useing cpap at a pressure of 10 for 3.5 years but now that pressure needs to be increased. The sleep clinic have me on a auto machine for 4 weeks
to get my pressure that I would be at 90% of the time.

It is 4 days now and my pressure 90 % of the time is 16.8 .My problem is I am using a full face mask and cannot control the leaks. The only way is to strap it on really tight and that hurts. I am using a new mask the Quatto fullface mask. My old mask was the Ultra Mirage full face mask.

Iam suprised at how much my pressure has increased.

Any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong or can do?

thank you
sudsy

Sudsy wrote:Hello

I have been useing cpap at a pressure of 10 for 3.5 years but now that pressure needs to be increased. The sleep clinic have me on a auto machine for 4 weeks
to get my pressure that I would be at 90% of the time.

It is 4 days now and my pressure 90 % of the time is 16.8 .My problem is I am using a full face mask and cannot control the leaks. The only way is to strap it on really tight and that hurts. I am using a new mask the Quatto fullface mask. My old mask was the Ultra Mirage full face mask.

Iam suprised at how much my pressure has increased.

Any suggestions as to what I am doing wrong or can do?

thank you
sudsy

Hi, Sudsy. Two things:

1. The 90% pressure doesn't mean you were AT that pressure for 90% of the time; it means you were AT OR BELOW that pressure for 90% of the time.

2. No mask should be fitted so tightly that it hurts to wear it, and you MUST control the leaks if you want your therapy to be effective.

Keep adjusting your mask until it comfortably fits you well and keeps leaking to a minimum. Do the fitting and adjusting while you're awake and lying down (as you would be at bedtime), with the machine blowing at full pressure. Make small adjustments to the headgear (and/or the dial on the Quattro to alter how much pressure is put on the nose bridge).

Could be the Quattro is not the best mask for you, but you won't know that until you've given it a fair shot, and that can take time and patience. Hang in there!

Hi Sudsy, a couple of questions for ya! What machine did they loan you? What are your settings on the auto? And was there a reason why you switched to the Quattro from the UM?

A lot of people complain of leaks with Quattros at higher pressures. Do a search for Quattros here to see the suggestions for how to adjust the Quattro so that cushion can be fully inflated at your pressure.

Remzzz's also work for some people, especially with the quattro. They are a cotton liner that seems to help prevent some of the leaking. You can buy them or make some of your own by cutting up an old T-shirt.

It sounds like you are on a CPAP, but if you are on an APAP, you want to push it up to your full pressure to adjust the mask--if you adjust it for a lower pressure, it may not "hold" when the pressure rises.

One more trick I learned. You want to adjust the straps when the cushion is most fully inflated. So wait until the inhalation phase of your breathing cycle to adjust the straps--that's when the most air will fill the cushion.

For me the Ultra Mirage full face can be adjusted to not leak at 16cm, but the Quattro cannot be. I have to shave just before bedtime, wipe the seal with a warm damp wash cloth, use a piece of moleskin approx 2 x 3 cm on the bridge of my nose and let the forehead brace barely touch. I also had to change from a medium to a small before it would quit leaking into my eyes. YMMV. Good Luck!!!