help cant get a seal with the mirage quattro full face mask

I was wondering if anyone has experienced any headaches in the mornings, i have been on my cpap for a week 1/2 and i still cant get my mask to seal thru the night i am constantly adjusting it thru the night, anyone got any ideals of how to accomplish a seal that will last thru the night, also i am a side sleeper as i can not lay on my back due to back injuries and my legs go numb.if anyone has any advice i would greatly thank you. also my mask is a small as i have a small face.[/b]

I'm also a side-sleeper and have a Quattro that I use occasionally.
You didn't indicate where you thought it was leaking. Assuming that it is the proper size and properly adjusted, there has been an existing problem with the elbow on the front of the masks. They get loose and leak from both ends. If this is the problem, you'll need to get some Teflon (plumber's) thread tape and make several wraps around both ends of the elbow and then put it back together. That fixes those leaks and it becomes a very quiet mask.

Den

I wonder if you are moving the mask while you are sleeping (on your side).

I know when my pressure ramps up to 18 (after I fall asleep) the mask is much easier to move. It just moves away from my face.

I know the Ultra Mirage FF mask has that forehead piece that hits the pillow (when I use this mask) putting pressure on the forehead also (this hurts my head, so I have stopped using it). I will say it does seal really good for me tho.

I too have back pain when sleeping on my back. Mine didn't start until I started using CPAP, prob cuz I never slept on my back, huh?

So now I put a small pillow under the leg that gives me trouble when I sleep on my back. Unlike most people, I have fewer events when I do sleep on my back. This was documented during my study. Problem is I can't seem to stay on my back for long.

I started using a sponge foam pillow under my back to give some support. Then one night I managed all night.

You might try some of those things - esp. if you think you are moving the mask when you toss n turn.

Good Luck,
GumbyCT
oh, do a search for some of Rested Gals posts - esp. where she tells how to use nylons (or tights) & scrunchies to help w/leaks. You will be surprised

Deebra, make sure your mask is clean and wash your face just before putting it on. I use the quattro small also and I put it on by starting with the chin first then the nose bridge part, then I put the headgear over my head and clip in. Don't put any moisturizer or creams on your face either.

I hope this helps you. I haven't had problems with the elbow but I expect that soon enough I'll probably refer to the teflon tape fix. Seems like everyone else is doing this.

Good luck and don't get discouraged--keep trying.

Deglorious

I found that the Quattro is much more sensitive than the Ultra Mirage I used to use to face oils and facial hair. I presume you don't have significant facial hair :-) but I learned to religiously clean my mask every day and scrub my face (and shave) before bed every night.

I too am a side sleeper. In my case it's a necessary part of getting anywhere near a decent seal, as my face is asymmetric (no I'm not a pretty sight :-/ ). I lay on the pillow "just so", causing my face to scrunch a bit and bring my cheeks into alignment. I'm currently training myself not to budge from that position all night, else the mask starts leaking like crazy.

The teflon tape was also a critical addition to me. Resmed even sent me a new frame, claiming I appeared to have gotten a mask made before a design tweak. There was no visible difference in the frame, and of course it didn't leak any less.

I too would be interested if anyone has any other ideas, as I haven't yet been able to both have tolerable leaks and set my pressure up to my prescribed level. This not moving bit is also a drag; I'm arthritic so I end up rather stiff in the morning!

I use both the UMFF and the Q(prefer the Q), my pressure is 20. I'm a side to side/back sleeper,and have found that the headgear straps must be adjusted to a firm fit,but not "crushing"the soft interface. The other thing that took some trial and error was the pillow, not to firm or too soft. Regards

I have been using the Quattro for about a month. After major leaks the first few nights I watched the video and read the instructions. The result is that the leakage stopped and I am sleeping all night.
You need to adjust the mask in a specific way which is shown in the literature and video.

I've found the following fixes to help with my quattro (I've been using a sleep-lab loaner and just got my "real one today):

1. silicone putty or mole "foam" in the triangle that sits on nose bridge - this way I can tighten the nosepiece a bit more and still not get a sore nose (see photos at the link below)


viewtopic.php?p=228349&sid=5863e3677f73 ... 06ce9d9d8a

2. Wash face before putting mask on!

3. Teflon tape on both ends of elbow

4. I also created very small 1" rolls of silicone putty (Mack's ear plugs or another brand -- make sure it says "silicone putty" on the box. You'll want silicone putty that is made for human skin so those ear plugs work well). I place these on the two bottom corners of the silicone flap.

I've also tried putting more of those little rolls around in multiple places - if leaks are bad, that helps, too

5. I use a stretchy headband and place it around my head and mask resting on the elbow (with hose routed above my head). That helps to keep the mask from shifting around as much since I'm a very restless sleeper.

Headaches could be from too tight mask or so many large leaks that you're not getting therapy. Start with straps holding the mask on but not night, then lay down and adjust so you get a reasonable seal without straps being too tight.

And finally, remember that all masks leak! The issue is whether they are large leaks or small ones and if they bother you (wake you up) or not.

Mindy