Even my CPAP "professionals" don't know how to help me.

Pugsy wrote:When you fitted the mask in the presence of the DME tech did you hook it up to a machine (or preferably your machine) to see if it was silent?
>

It was not silent with the tech, but was showing a "smiley face" indicator while it was on. We tried to do a mask fitting test and couldn't get it to work (same issue I've had all week). I just went and tried it...laid down for half an hour and it worked perfectly.

I have inspected the mask and tubing VERY thoroughly for issues...not seeing anything. The last 3 times I have worn the mask, it has worked very well...making me think it's just leakage, but good gracious I have worked on fixing leakage extensively for 2 weeks with no success at all and now the last three times I've used it, I just happened to nail it?! Hmmmm...it's beginning to make me crazy.

you are 100% sure you're putting it on right way round each time at night? the smooth part with the L nearest your lip...

palerider wrote:you are 100% sure you're putting it on right way round each time at night? the smooth part with the L nearest your lip...

Yes sir, 100%

Nozzzzz's wrote:

palerider wrote:you are 100% sure you're putting it on right way round each time at night? the smooth part with the L nearest your lip...

Yes sir, 100%

well, then, back to the 'hold it under water and look for bubble leaking besides on the vent mesh" idea... sorry, it's the best I can come up with.

it usually takes me a bit of fiddling to get the pillows settled comfortably and not leaky on my nostrils. but other than that, it works well.

look at your data with sleepyhead and see what kind of leaks you're getting.

palerider wrote:

Nozzzzz's wrote:

palerider wrote:you are 100% sure you're putting it on right way round each time at night? the smooth part with the L nearest your lip...

Yes sir, 100%

well, then, back to the 'hold it under water and look for bubble leaking besides on the vent mesh" idea... sorry, it's the best I can come up with.

it usually takes me a bit of fiddling to get the pillows settled comfortably and not leaky on my nostrils. but other than that, it works well.

look at your data with sleepyhead and see what kind of leaks you're getting.

I will definitely give that a shot! Thanks for your help!

I'm newer than new and don't even have my machine yet, but I noticed a note on cpap.com that there's a known issue with nasal pillows and the AirSense 10 models when using the SmartStart feature. Given that you are using pillows, I thought it might be worth mentioning. Maybe try disabling the SmartStart? I was pretty surprised when I saw it this morning:

Per the manufacturer, the SmartStart™ technology may not function as intended when used with a nasal pillow mask and a pressure setting of 7 cm H2O or less. If the feature does not appear to be functioning, this comfort feature can be turned off. Please refer to the User Guide for more information.

If none of the amazingly helpful solutions the knowledgable people here (myself excluded) have provided fix the problem, I hope your DME is able to get your machine working or get you a new one if you somehow got a dud.

[quote="brklyn78", I thought it might be worth mentioning. Maybe try disabling the SmartStart? I was pretty surprised when I saw it this morning:

Per the manufacturer, the SmartStart™ technology may not function as intended when used with a nasal pillow mask and a pressure setting of 7 cm H2O or less. If the feature does not appear to be functioning, this comfort feature can be turned off. Please refer to the User Guide for more information.

[/quote]

smartstart controls whether the machine turns itself on or off whenever you put the mask on or take it off.

I think this whole issue was a matter of simply getting used to the mask. As I'm sure all you CPAP vets with nasal pillows already know, there's a learning curve in trying to figure out what a good seal feels like and how everything is supposed to work. I'm happy to report that for the last 4 or 5 nights I have had a perfect seal...now I know exactly what it's supposed to feel like, sound like, etc. My numbers are GREAT, my sleep is great, and most importantly, my wife is happy Thanks to everyone for the help! And BTW, that Sleepyhead software ROCKS...

I'm so glad you found your solution. .

Thanks chunkyfrog!

I'm new here. Nozzz, thank you for posting your question--I have similar issues.

And thanks to everyone for offering your suggestions. I will try them. I'll keep you posted.

Relieved_Rita I found the answer! It was the humidifier! Make sure you're pushing the humidifier in until it "clicks"...solved all of my problems! See the thread here:

viewtopic/t101212/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1 ... 66#p946166