Masks are torture Help

I need a full face mask because I breath through my mouth due to allergies and a stuffy nose. I have tried the Air Fit F 10 and the Mirage Quattro the only 2 full face masks my DME has. Both have leaked air even when adjusted so tightly it hurts. But I also have a problem with itchiness. Starts with nose and by my usual 1.5 hours of sleep at a time my whole face itchs. I also suffer from insomnia so a little thing like an air leak guarantees I am awake. I have averaged 3.8 or less hours on my CPAP a day. Insurance will only continue paying if I achieve 4 hours a night. Any advice?

You need to try Pad-a-Cheek liners - they help with leaks (so less overtightening), and will buffer any allergic reaction you have to the silicone. I also suggest you look at Cpap.com under Full Face masks to help find other choices as there are very many available, and then you can try some out on a 30 day trial for a small return insce. fee.

Cyndi: though you may think I'm crazy, but it appears you are over-tightening your mask. Your mask is suppose to "float" on your face. Most masks will sorta "lift" ever so slightly when you fire the machine up. That's how you know the tension is correct. When I started using the Quattro a few years back, I had to take my own advice. I had it so tight, I told myself that there's no way (nooo wayyy!) the mask should hurt this much. It is a natural reaction to pull down on the mask straps if there is a leak. You'll always be doing it because a lot of headgear stretches when it first starts being used. But to the point of hurting... is too tight. Go on-line and see how the manufacturer says to put the mask on, and do exactly as the manufacturer says.


Best Wishes, Sheriff

I have the same leak and over tightening problem with this mask. I don't have the itch. I like to think I have tried about every tension I can get starting off very loose but even still I cannot get a seal until things are too tight. And then its always on the edge of leaking and uncomfortable. I've tried multiple times to get this thing to do its job lose. Nothing seems to work. I'm going to just sit here and try again today while I await a call from the Doctor. The medical supplier is not much help. He doesn't seem to be that up on other masks available. I know I am over tightening the mask. But I can't seem to get any results otherwise.

In spite of that. I'm kind of getting good sleep anyway. At least between interruptions its better than its ever been. The wife is annoyed with some of these episodes but living with it.

My pressures ordered from my doctor are 25 and 21... which seems excessive but I have not had a follow up visit yet and figured I had to try at least to see if that was acceptable. I am getting some good sleep but it all could be much better. My nose hurts ya know? I got a call into him as to where we go from here.

Thank you for the good advice. I didn't know CPAP.com would lend masks for 30 days. Has anyone tried the hybrid full face with nasal pillows. Sometimes reading in bed will help me fall asleep. While I can do it with current mask it requires taking the mask off to remove glasses. I will also check into the pad a cheek liners.

There are TWO hybrid masks. The original has a built-in chin cup, and comes with all three sizes of cushions and pillows.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html
The resmed Liberty, which does not have a chin cup, comes in three sizes, all separate, and costs about double.
I tried both masks, and even though neither fit my weird little face, recommend the Innomed.

... anyone have experience of thoughts on this Comfort Gel mask? Seems its on sale... the theory behind it is interesting too...

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/comfor ... onics.html

Hi - that mask has been popular, but after reading your notes I personally would talk to my doctor about using Bipap, rather than 'just' C- or Apap because your pressures are very high and it would be hard to say what particular mask might work for your face with the pressures. Have you seen any data recently that backs up your need for them, or (possibly) even been retested to confirm the need? Do you have e.g. results of your test that you could post on the forum for us to look at, or graphs from software tracking (i.e. SleepyHead) that we could look at? What machine do you use (if you're already on Bipap, then your problems would only be about the mask of course).

Keep in mind: some leak issues are caused by ramp (setting) and in the autopap mode. When you first put the mask on, you adjust the straps at the LOWER pressure. When the ramp cycle is complete, you may experience leaks. Same with the autopap mode. You may not have any leaks at the lower pressure, but as the pressure increases during the night to treat an apnea event, you may experience leaks. You'll eventually get used to this fluxuation in pressure, but it will take time.

Sheriff

Cyndi5000 wrote:I need a full face mask because I breath through my mouth due to allergies and a stuffy nose. I have tried the Air Fit F 10 and the Mirage Quattro the only 2 full face masks my DME has. Both have leaked air even when adjusted so tightly it hurts. But I also have a problem with itchiness. Starts with nose and by my usual 1.5 hours of sleep at a time my whole face itchs. I also suffer from insomnia so a little thing like an air leak guarantees I am awake. I have averaged 3.8 or less hours on my CPAP a day. Insurance will only continue paying if I achieve 4 hours a night. Any advice?

Try the Quatro FX. I have been lucky in that my doctor will specifically write the brand on the prescription so that my DME has to get it for me. I found they like to give you what they have or some cheap mask.

Julie wrote:Hi - that mask has been popular, but after reading your notes I personally would talk to my doctor about using Bipap, rather than 'just' C- or Apap because your pressures are very high and it would be hard to say what particular mask might work for your face with the pressures. Have you seen any data recently that backs up your need for them, or (possibly) even been retested to confirm the need? Do you have e.g. results of your test that you could post on the forum for us to look at, or graphs from software tracking (i.e. SleepyHead) that we could look at? What machine do you use (if you're already on Bipap, then your problems would only be about the mask of course).

I have nothing to back those pressures up yet. Have not received my results at this point either. I believe I am on BiPap at this point. I just filled in my profile to reflect the equipment.

Sorry Cindi for hijacking your thread!

Cyndi, there is no rule that you can't wear your mask and run the machine while you are reading or watching television. It helps you get the obligatory four hours in, plus! -it helps you get used to using the equipment. WIN, WIN!

Cyndi,

Click on the link in my signature below that says "Taming the Mirage Quattro". This advice will work for any air cushion mask.

If all else fails, consider the Sleep Weaver Mask by Circadiance. It's a cloth mask you may find much more comfortable (but they are hard to control leaks sometimes). Unfortunately, most DME's do not carry these masks.

And do look into a Padacheek liner. They help enormously.

Sorry - you did say you were already on bipap... didn't quite register here!

I used the Comfortgel mask for about a year--it has been the only FF mask that would seal on my uncommon face.
The gel cushion is much thicker than the floating silicone masks, and allows for a greater variety of face shapes.
It was well worth the extra weight for the time I needed to enclose my mouth, and was the most comfortable well-sealing mask for me.