Definitely had the too small nasal cushion problem when I first started. Either way the pressure settings are now far too high on my machine to use the nasal pillow mask because I've been using the full face and still getting apneas so my doctor keeps increasing the minimum pressure which she said should stop those if we get it right.Sounds like you are way over tightening the straps for a nasal pillows mask. As counterintuitive as it sounds, the nasal pillows. masks become less stable when over tightened. The seal is established by the cones properly seating against the edges of the nostrils. When the straps are too tight, that can push the cones too far into the nostrils and that triggers the leaks and the discomfort. Some people also use too small of a nasal pillows cushion, and that too leads to too much of the cones being pushed into the nostrils.
Interesting, I'll check it out if I try the nasal pillows again.Using Lansinoh nipple cream is often suggested as a way of making nasal pillows stay sealed. When I was starting out I did use Lansinoh and it did help, both in terms of helping me keep the mask sealed and in terms of easing some of the discomfort I was getting from the mask at the time. I haven't needed the Lansinoh for many years now.
I've tried loosening but then it leaked because it was too loose. See my previous comment about other people not being able to stop leaks with this mask.Again, start by playing around and practicing moving around with the mask on during the daytime when you're not actually trying to sleep with the mask. Start by fitting the mask when you are on your back to see if you can eliminate the leaks in that position. Since you say you're getting a lot of face farts, my guess is that you are over tightening the mask. Try loosening the straps and making sure the cushion has a chance to fully inflate. And pay attention to where the leaks are occurring. Are they at the top of the mask? Or are they around the area that covers your mouth?
I'm not sure I can even open my mouth when the mask is on...And also try to determine this: If your mouth is shut is there more or less leaking than when your mouth is open? In other words, you need to try to tease out whether the issue is simply being on your back or whether the issue is that when you are on your back, you are more prone to opening your mouth wide open and the associated mouth movement is what's triggering the leaks.
Here's the thing about full face masks: The larger cushion means the mask has to seal well against a larger portion of your face. And that in turn means that facial movement (i.e. opening your mouth) may lead to more of a problem with the mask springing leaks than you have with a smaller mask.
Makes sense
I'll have to order an SD card reader to do this....There should be an SD card in the SD slot that is on the left side of the machine. All the data the machine gathers is written to that SD card. You can remove the SD card and insert it into an SD slot (or card reader) on your computer and then upload the contents into Oscar (a free program that you install on your computer) or SleepHQ (a web site that allows you to upload your data). Both Oscar and SleepHQ will show you the full efficacy data, including leak data for the whole night.
I have done this and sometimes it works and sometimes it makes it worse....In the middle of the night when you wake up to leaks, first try this: Pull the mask cushion gently off your face (in whatever sleep position you are in) and let go. See if the mask will resettle with a better seal all by itself. You do need to be prepared to hear and feel a blast of air when the cushion is off your face; it will end once the mask has resettled. For many small and moderate size leaks, this is all that is needed to fix the problem.
Thanks again for all your help RobySue1! I really appreciate it!
