FFM mouth breathing tip?

kennethryan · Post by **kennethryan** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 3:00 pm

jsmythe wrote:Just a thought here, if they are pawning off their stock on you, you may get one of the masks that leak at the elbow in front. Do a Search on this, I remember reading lots of posts about it and how to fix it with Teflon tape.

The newer masks "supposedly" had this problem fixed, so you may not have a problem with it.

I complained to Resmed directly, the person there thought I might have gotten an older frame. She (eventually) sent me a new frame (just the face piece, not the complete kit) that she said was the new design.

It was exactly the same as what I had. Leaked just as much (and whistled too).

The basic problem is the tabs on the end of the elbow that snap into the frame socket aren't strong enough to hold it securely, and the air pressure pushes the elbow out of its socket. Teflon tape helped a lot (especially once I realized the cheap 99-cent brand and the expensive $3 brand were substantially different...I was changing the cheap stuff almost daily as it would shred itself, while the thicker expensive stuff has lasted for weeks now).

BTW, I also put some on the joint between the clear elbow and the grey hose coupling. It was leaking a bit as well.

roster · Post by **roster** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:37 pm

jomac30 wrote:Sharon1965:
I have the same question you do about the FFM.
I don't think I could tolerate a wind tunnel blowing in my mouth. It would feel suffocating. Please let me know how you tolerate it. I'm having a mask fitting next week and was thinking of getting a FFM unless I can find another way of keeping my mouth closed all night.

As long as I have been a member, I have yet to understand the "wind tunnel" comments that are often reported here.

I have used the Hybrid ffm and F&P432 ffm with pressures as high as 20. I do breathe through my mouth part of the night on some nights.

Unless you have a large leak, the volume of air flowing through the mouth is no greater than the volume without cpap. It is under a higher pressure but the volume is no greater.

(Or maybe some are hyperventilating before they go to sleep?)

Your mouth may become dry from mouthbreathing but this will also happen if you are mouthbreathing without cpap.

kennethryan · Post by **kennethryan** » Fri Mar 07, 2008 8:54 pm

rooster wrote:As long as I have been a member, I have yet to understand the "wind tunnel" comments that are often reported here.

I believe the reference is to the Dizzy Gillespie effect where if you relax your face muscles your cheeks puff up and mouth can be held open.

Rachael not logged in · Post by **Rachael not logged in** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:39 pm

I got the quattro and I can't decide how I feel about it. On the one hand it was so comfortable! The air not on my nose, the space, I loved it. And it was much quieter than my ultra mirage. I was able to mouth breath since I was so sick, and my mouth got a little dry, though mostly because I have my humidifier on 5 and it runs dry by the morning. I really have to get one of the other brands of humidifiers.

But my gosh, my numbers have been crap with the Quattro, horrible leaks, and my AHI which has never topped 1.2 has been 3 or 4. And my nose often itches at night and so I usually snake a finger under the seal and scratch it, but that's a lot harder with the quattro. So, I am back to the mirage and doing better.

But some day when I am not so sick I am going to see if I can conquer the leaks and make the quattro work, because I really did like how it felt.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 1:51 pm

Gosh - that sounds very similar to my experience with the quattro. I don't know how it got better but I kept trying it at least once or twice a week and gradually it seemed to seal better and the large leaks disappeared. The first week I used it I would get an itch as soon as I was settled with the mask. I just ignored it and it finally quit happening.

The main problem I have now with the quattro is that I get what looks like a rash on my face where the silicone flap sits. If I switch off masks every week it goes away.

Mindy

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:16 pm

The "Teflon tape fix" (on both ends of the elbow) is critical to getting the leaks under control with the Quattro. If you don't tape it, it'll feel like it's leaking EVERYWHERE. Another thing is not wearing it too tight.....especially with the top straps. Having the proper size is first on the list of importance.

Den

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:28 pm

i did manage to exchange the medium quattro for a small but i have to say so far, no good

first of all, yeah, that leaky elbow thing...what's up with that?

secondly, the elbow is so big and clunky...i'm used to the hose routing overhead, i just don't know what to do with this thing...when the elbow hits the pillow or duvet, the whole thing gets pushed out of place

also, when i roll onto my back, the thing starts leaking out the bottom like crazy; same thing when i open my mouth

i need some serious help with this thing!

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 2:49 pm

Sharon,

First thing is to get that elbow taped.....both ends. Get a roll of Teflon tape....usually found in the plumbing section of hardware stores. I think it's about 3/8" to 1/2" wide. Pop both ends of the elbow out of the front of the mask and the hose connector. Make about 4 complete wraps around both ends of the elbow and then put it back together. Assuming that the Small is the right size, I would suggest not tightening the straps too tight. Leave the top straps fairly loose and the forehead support in the most vertical position (which means cranking the adjuster knob all the way to the right).

Give that a try and see how it does.

Den

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Sat Mar 08, 2008 3:32 pm

Sharon,

I use the teflon tape - agree with Den that it's critical. Also, I ended up putting a stabilizing strap around mask and hose about at the level where the hose connects to the mask. That helped, too ... plus time.

Mindy

kennethryan · Post by **kennethryan** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 7:40 am

Wulfman wrote:Get a roll of Teflon tape....usually found in the plumbing section of hardware stores. I think it's about 3/8" to 1/2" wide.

I found the Home Depot near me carries three brands of teflon tape. One is 99 cents a roll, one $1.19, and the third something like $3.29.

Definitely get the expensive one - I found it's a substantial difference in thickness. I went through a whole roll of the cheap stuff in about a month, as the swivel movement kept chewing it up. So far the expensive stuff has lasted a couple weeks for a single application, even through quick washings (no disassembly of the elbow).

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:03 pm

[quote="Wulfman"]Sharon,

First thing is to get that elbow taped.....both ends. Get a roll of Teflon tape....usually found in the plumbing section of hardware stores. I think it's about 3/8" to 1/2" wide. Pop both ends of the elbow out of the front of the mask and the hose connector. Make about 4 complete wraps around both ends of the elbow and then put it back together. Assuming that the Small is the right size, I would suggest not tightening the straps too tight. Leave the top straps fairly loose and the forehead support in the most vertical position (which means cranking the adjuster knob all the way to the right).

Give that a try and see how it does.

Den

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 11:09 am

So Sharon, how is the Quattro trial going? What's your pressure at now? I use a UMFF at 13.8 (or something like that). When I first used it, I had the problem others have mentioned when opening my mouth but I guess I got used to it. Now I can open my mouth without feeling like I'm riding a motorcycle with my mouth open. I still have the dry mouth thing, but dry mouth is an issue with me all the time anyway, for various reasons.

For the humidifier, when I use my FF, I have the humidity at the maximum. When I use my HC406 nasal, I have the humidity at 1 or 2 or else I get rainout.

France

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:08 pm

hi frap
thanks for askin!

i hate it
it's going back
next up is the f&p 431...
to be continued....

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:49 pm

I've never tried the Quattro but I've tried and F&P 432, although not the 431. I wanted very badly to love it and I actually did love it when my cpap wasn't working but as soon as the pressure came on, the stupid thing would leak and flap and fart away, especially if I was on my back. But I truly hope it goes better for you.

Keep us posted

France

frapilu · Post by **frapilu** » Wed Mar 12, 2008 5:55 pm

By the way, something just occurred to me. You mentioned a while back getting a mask that once you got it home, you realized it was too big. Does your DME not have you try the mask in their office? I used to just try it on so that they could check the size & adjust the straps. Now I try it with the same pressure that I'm going to be using at home. I haven't made it to laying on the floor yet to simulate being in bed but I really try to make sure it's worth bringing the thing home.

Francd

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