Problem with masks fitting

[Hi, I am a newbie to the CPAP world. I am on my second mask in 2 weeks. I have a flexifit full face mask now. I have to pull the straps till have marks on my face in the morning. Still have leaks off an on all night. Any suggestion about this or are leaks just life with CPAP.

Do you have a Flexifit 431 or 432? That may make a difference, I'm not sure, though.

I have a 432 with the added cushion. Since I'm a side sleeper and I tend to burrow whatever side I'm on into the pillow, I have accepted that I will have some marks on my face. I have ordered a pair of Pad-A-Cheek fleece strap covers to see if that will help. Others have used them with good results. http://www.padacheek.com or contact her on the forum -- Padacheek is her forum name, I believe.

From what I gather, many here have a problem finding the right mask for them. There is even a mask trading post thing to trade what is not working to try one that might.

You didn't say, but those of us with oily skin have to take extra care to wash the mask cushion daily and our face just before going to bed. I use shampoo because it cut the oils and rinses clean. Others use various natural soaps, etc.

Perhaps most importantly, I made up my mind to make this work for me and for the most part have gotten used to a tight mask. I'm sure others will jump in and tell you how they do it. That's good because it really is a trial and error thing - just don't get too frustrated over it.

rejoicem56 wrote:[Hi, I am a newbie to the CPAP world. I am on my second mask in 2 weeks. I have a flexifit full face mask now. I have to pull the straps till have marks on my face in the morning. Still have leaks off an on all night. Any suggestion about this or are leaks just life with CPAP.

The F&P masks are notorious for leaks. Comfy but leaky too. Your face changes shape when you lay down. That is when you should snug up your straps.

You haven't mentioned your pressure but if you are at a high pressure using Rested Gals tips for using tights for straps may help some and keep the strap marks down too. When I used the F&P 431 I would have to wake up to tighten the straps again. I finally put the head gear from a Resmed mask I had on the F&P, which helped a lot. Then used a strap to keep the mask from lifting off my face.

Do a search using Rested Gal tights.

Keep in mind you have 30 days to let your DME know if this mask is not working for you, they can get you another mask, free of charge. Yea, most never tell you that.

Good Luck

Guest wrote: The F&P masks are notorious for leaks. Comfy but leaky too. Your face changes shape when you lay down. That is when you should snug up your straps.

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Keep in mind you have 30 days to let your DME know if this mask is not working for you, they can get you another mask, free of charge. Yea, most never tell you that.

My 432 leaks are not more than the published "expected leak." I think that the big, soft cushion helps to keep it contoured to my face.

Also, not all DME's have a 30 day policy for mask returns. I know that Apria does, but Blue Mountain (a local Seattle-Tacoma vendor) and Lincare have a 7 day policy. And the online vendors I'm familiar with offer a 30-return option for a fee (about $50, if I remember right).

I have never had a mask that could compete with a good set of Nasal pilows...

14 years into this now and well over a dozen devices but always going back to a set of nasal pillows

no leaks

YES, I agree, nasal pillows are the way to go.....I use the "Breeze" great for side sleepers too

I'm about to get my fifth mask in three months. My first mask was a disposable F & P and it was BY FAR the best fitting mask of all of them. My most recent was a Hans Rudolph which is an excellent mask but due to the fact that I broke my nose as a kid, it's hard to fit something on the bridge of my nose without leaks. I have to use an under the chin model since I often open and close my mouth in my sleep. I despise the other masks which seal on your chin. They deseal quite a bit on me and I can't use them. I'm about to order a F&P 432 and give that a shot.