Leaky mask driving me nuts

New user here, just had 3rd night on CPAP. Mask is listed below. On the first night, I had virtually no problem with leaks. 2nd night, I seemed to have more trouble, and resorted to tightening it up more which seemed to help quite a bit, but it sure was tight. Last night, I spent nearly an hour adjusting things, tightening, loosening, starting over, etc. I eventually just fell asleep but I think it was with a too-tight, leaky mask.

My machine is reporting a leak number of 43. I haven't been able to find a leak chart for the mask in any of the paperwork that came with it, but without looking at it scientifically it seems obvious to me that something just isn't right.

Of course there's always a possibility that it's just not the right mask for me, but something tells me I just don't know how to adjust it properly. If it does turn out to be the wrong one, how do you go about finding the right one? I bought the return insurance, but it seems like there has to be a better way than just buying and returning over and over.

What is the reason you are using a FF mask to begin?
Many consider this a msk of last resort.

First, not every mask fits every person. Were you fitted for this or handed this? Does it feel like it fits (with the air off, when you hold it to your face?)

Second, I have the same leak issues and now have the same mask as you do. I keep it snug at the top, tighter than others have sugested at the bottom, but still not so tight that thtere isnt 'give' at the bottom. Make sure to tinker with the knob - I have a very small margin of error for the setting - screw it down, pain, one click up, ok, more than 3 clocks, lots of leaks near the sides of my nose.

Third, if I lay on my back the damn thing farts and leaks like crazy near my cheeks and chin. Drives the dogs crazy. I MUST sleep on my side. I have a cutout cpap pillow that helps me keep this ideal position.

Fourth, wash your face with soap so it's not slippery at night. Also, if you are an oily face, wash the skirt of the mask every night and dry it. If the mask sticks to your face, it might leak less.

Fifth, give it a little time. The mask will conform to your face over time. also, without software, how can you really judge leaks? Well, if they are farting and blowing, sure.

You might try the Nasal Aire II:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage.php?PNum=2672&PAID=517

See my links below for more info.

Good luck!
B.

Since I didn't know your pressure I was unsure of what your leak rate should be. Check out bookworm's chart.

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html

Also under "Our Wisdom" is a list of mask fixes listed in "common equiptment problems".

Like Elder, I also had problems with that mask. If you've only had it 3 days, call your DME and ask about their mask exchange policy. many give a 30 day guaranty - if it doesn't work, trade it for another. The mask is the single most important part of your successful therapy, don't settle for one that isn't working for you.

tomjax wrote:What is the reason you are using a FF mask to begin?
Many consider this a msk of last resort.

I'm a mouth breather when asleep. Just based on the way I breathe (or not ) it seems to be the right way to go for me.

elader wrote:Were you fitted for this or handed this? Does it feel like it fits (with the air off, when you hold it to your face?)

Bought it from cpap.com based solely on reviews & recommendations. It feels like it fits as well as any huge hunk of plastic stuck to my face .

elader wrote:Make sure to tinker with the knob

KNOB!? Maybe that's the problem. I don't know of a knob on it.

elader wrote:Third, if I lay on my back the damn thing farts and leaks like crazy near my cheeks and chin. Drives the dogs crazy. I MUST sleep on my side. I have a cutout cpap pillow that helps me keep this ideal position.

Mine isn't nearly that bad. For me it's a case of thinking I've finally got it right, then I move around a bit and it starts blowing me right in the eyes or just barely leaking around my chin.

elader wrote:Fifth, give it a little time. The mask will conform to your face over time. also, without software, how can you really judge leaks? Well, if they are farting and blowing, sure.

So that rigid plastic (polycarbonate I assume) will conform? I do have EncoreViewer, but haven't looked at it since night #1.

Pineapple wrote:Since I didn't know your pressure I was unsure of what your leak rate should be. Check out bookworm's chart.

Also under "Our Wisdom" is a list of mask fixes listed in "common equiptment problems".

Like Elder, I also had problems with that mask. If you've only had it 3 days, call your DME and ask about their mask exchange policy. many give a 30 day guaranty - if it doesn't work, trade it for another. The mask is the single most important part of your successful therapy, don't settle for one that isn't working for you.

Pressure is 9. Thanks for the chart link! So the stated leak rate is 35, so what does that mean if my machine is reporting 43? Vendor is cpap.com. I did buy the return insurance, but it seems like there has to be a better way than buying and returning mask after mask. Maybe there isn't.

ah sorry, I thought you had the quattro. On that mask, it;s that slider thing on the top. The quattro has a pretty thick silicon skirt. I don't know if your mask does. I do know that it didn't fit me well at the DME.

OK, you mean that little thing that changes the angle between the upper support and the rest of the mask. I've tried that in all the positions that are close; one specific setting seems to be obviously better than any others, it just doesn't get me all the way to leak-free.

I hate to mention this but is your mask the right size? it may be too big or too small.

If you go to http://www.cpapsupplyusa.com and click on "Community", the click on "Downloads". On the right you will find "mask sizing guides".

Find your mask. Click "download" again and you will get a sizing template to print, cut out and use to find your size.

Size may not be your problem but wanted to mention it ----in case.

Thanks for all the replies! The HR approach seems to be the way it ought to be done, but for other mfr's - how can a mask be fitted when dealing with a distant supplier?

I'm using a large standard, which I arrived at after using the cpap.com sizing guide.

Did you use the mask sizing guide in this link?

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-mask-sizing.php

What was your measurement in #5?

I use the UMFF in Large Standard. I wear the top straps VERY loose, the forehead support in the full, upright position and any strap tension on the lower straps......with the bottom of the mask close to my lower lip. This keeps any pressure off the bridge of my nose and allows the upper seals to expand and seal better there. In actuality, the forehead support doesn't even touch my forehead.
Make sure the seals are all curled inward when you put it to your face. The mask seals need to be loose enough to expand to fit the face.

Den

Yes, that's the one I used. #5 is 3 3/4" to perhaps 3 7/8". My sense of it is that the large is the right size. I've got a pretty large head with everything spaced proportionally.

I didn't consider that the seal needs to be able to expand. I may have been creating my own problem (exactly the kind of thing I feared might be happening) by tightening it, having leaks, tightening more, etc. When I say I tightened it, I mean tight. Like, head-in-a-vise tight.

KSMike wrote:Yes, that's the one I used. #5 is 3 3/4" to perhaps 3 7/8".

I didn't consider that the seal needs to be able to expand. I may have been creating my own problem (exactly the kind of thing I feared might be happening) by tightening it, having leaks, tightening more, etc.

Every time I see a post where a person's mask (usually a full face) is leaking or hurting their face (usually nose area), I suspect that it's either the wrong size or worn way too tight, or both.

I like mine on the loose side.....sometimes a little too loose.....but I like the extra airflow coming through the mask. As long as I can keep the leak numbers "reasonably" close to what it's supposed to be, I don't worry as long as I'm not having many events (and I hardly ever do). I've never been guilty of having my mask too tight.

As far as the mask measurement, when I measured my facial dimensions, I fell exactly halfway between the Medium and Large. I selected the Large and was glad I did.

Den

That's very helpful Den. So - the target is to have your leak number come as close as possible to the published number for the mask at a given pressure (based on the above referenced charts)? What's the theory behind those published numbers? That the design of mask X at pressure Y dictates that Z leaks per hour are "normal," and that Z is a compromise for the amount of comfort or functional features that are included in the design? Just trying to get educated on leaks in general.

Am I typing as though I haven't slept?