CPAPtalk.com

nobody wrote:The eyelash glue definitely worked.

I'm glad you found a solution. Thanks for reporting back.

I was afraid to put that ammonia stinking stuff near my eyes.

It's eyelash glue. If your mask is closer to your eyes than your eyelashes are, you're wearing the mask wrong.

LoQ do you have to put a new strip of it on every night?

No. I quit using it. I'm only using the T-shirt squares now.

I don't see that as being a very cheap alternative unless you know of someplace you can buy silicone putty in bulk? The earplugs are not very cheap if you have to put a new strip of it on every night.

You are correct. The T-shirt squares are much cheaper and less work, and I'm finding they have other advantages that have not been enumerated in the forum.

So I will be searching for another type of glue that is cheap, does not destroy the mask, does not stink, and is otherwise non toxic to put on my skin for 7 or 8 hours.

It would be great if you would let the forum know what you find. Leaks are a big issue with therapy.

The seal on your mask is made out of a silicone-based polymer. The more scientific name for it is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

The acidic smell someone mentioned is when silicone is used in caulking (like to seal around your windows or bathtub). One of the curing agents commonly used in caulking is acetic acid (vinegar). Its used because its volatile, helping the caulking to set up faster.

Silicone polymers (such as your mask's seal) readily absorb many organic compounds (such as petroleum products), which causes the silicone to swell (it actually gains mass) and its physical properties may change drastically (eg. become more jellylike). If enough of the organics are present the silicone may actually dissolve, which is why you cannot use silicone based seals around engine components that contact gasoline. or the same reason, DO NOT let your mask come into contact with petroleum jelly or other organic-based lubricants. Vics Vaporub would also be a no no.

Last night I was too tired to mess around with gluing or anything else besides throwing a mask on. My DME got me a new cushion for the quattro so I used that. I also washed my face before bed. The mask STILL had a lot of leaking and my AHI was 1.5. That's obviously an average because it was 3.2 (for just the OA) just on the time it spent at 10 cmh2o. I'm wondering why the OAs go higher at 10? There were only .7 at 9.

To LoQ, I have a narrow nose bridge and there isn't a FFM out there that doesn't touch the corner of my eyes. Eyelash glue contains ammonia. Even when it's dry it still stinks pretty badly of ammonia. Over the years I've realized that just because something is being sold in stores does not mean it's safe. Many people get harmed by unsafe and defective products all the time. So, no, I would not put that stuff anywhere near my eyes, not for any reason.

To hopper, could the oils from my face do the same thing to the mask? I have quite a grease-face and I don't wash the mask in the morning. I just leave it until the evening and then wash it right before bed. The mask does seem to get thicker and thicker and less sticky over time (even when I have not used any moisturizers or PJ on my face). Not much time either!

FWIW Nobody, when I was trying on my first mask (the one I ultimately went back to) the RT moved it down so that wasn't on the bridge of my nose because I was having bad eye leaks. The mask is small enough that it can be moved down yet still fit on the bottom.

Try washing the mask in the morning, oils etc do make a difference in the mask staying put. Maybe use an astringent on your face just before bed.

I had good luck (I thought) again last nite with the Macks strip all around the mask. I checked my stats this morning and they were lousy. Go figure.

LoQ wrote:If Mack's didn't work for you, you didn't do it right. It seals great for me!

I guess everything doesn't work for everybody because Mack's sure didn't work for me, and I was doing it right. I wash my face every night, and my seal is always washed, but the "seal" using Mack's didn't last over an hour. I'd wake up with more leaks than I had w/o using it. I'm suspecting it's my oily skin at issue.

The mask liner by Pad-a-Check helped me with skin redness I was having, but didn't really make a difference in leaks.

There are usually just one or two pesky places that seem to always leak for me, and the eyelash adhesive (or that duo surgical adhesive Karen mentioned) sound interesting. I found a non-adhesive way to keep the nasal pillows in place a long time ago, now just need to get these other small places taken care of. For me, my leak rate isn't that high, it's just that the leaks wake me up all the time, even small ones.

Also, Karen, when you get some skin-colored Velcro implants worked out, let me know.

Pam

nobody wrote: To hopper, could the oils from my face do the same thing to the mask? I have quite a grease-face and I don't wash the mask in the morning. I just leave it until the evening and then wash it right before bed. The mask does seem to get thicker and thicker and less sticky over time (even when I have not used any moisturizers or PJ on my face). Not much time either!

I don't know the composition of the oils that we naturally produce, but they are undoubtedly organic in nature and may be absorbed by the silicone. The designers of these masks probably take this into account but, nevertheless, you should be washing your mask (as per the manufacturers instructions, just plain water probably won't do) every morning.

OK, where do I find "Mack's" and "eyelash glue"?

I'd like to try them both, but neither Target, Walmart or CVS drugs had either of them! They aren't regional products, are they?

I already have an old t-shirt I'll be cutting up before bed tonight...

You people and your ideas sure keep me busy!!! lol

hopper wrote:The seal on your mask is made out of a silicone-based polymer. The more scientific name for it is polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

Wow, that's quite a product! Check it out here.

My face is SUPER oily - I have the enlarged oil gland bumps to prove it. I have tried a lot of things on my mask and currently use liquid dish washing detergent daily. It cuts the oil better than shampoo and my seals are lasting longer than with shampoo. They have the new squeeky feel too.

nobody wrote:Do you think I could use spirit gum to glue the mask on so it doesn't leak?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirit_gum

Before doing that, why not try a different mask? I - and several other forum members - are getting great results with the Nasal Aire II. I run a free test drive for it, so you can decide before you buy.

There are also several other mask test drives going on. See my link below in my signature block for more info.

Good luck!
Babs

LinkC,

Try a drug store, like CVS, The Macks come in adult and childrens (bright orange). I have never gotten it to work but some people do. I'm going to try the T-Shirt gasket, too.

Bev

SharkBait wrote:From another thread...

alnhwrd wrote:I use the Ultra Mirage II Nasal mask. It has worked well for me. I know you are supposed to change the cushion more frequently, but I have been using the same one for over a year and it works just fine. I do use a rope of Mack's Silicone earplug around the cushion which gives me a great seal and lets me keep the headgear from being too tight. If you are wondering, Mack's is a soft silicone product that comes in lumps. It is marketed as a material to make form fitted earplugs, but works great to improve the seal on a cpap mask. I take a lump of Macks, split it in two and roll each half between my palms to form two ropes about 1/8 inch in diameter. Place the ropes on the cushion where it touches your face to make a rough gasket between your face and the cushion. You might need a bit more to complete the circle. Put your mask on like normal and smoosh it down on your face. My average leak rate went way down once I started using it. Hope this helps.

I tried the 'Macks Silicone' earplugs on my Mirage Quatro which leaks like crazy over 11 or 12cm, and it worked great, but you have to keep messing with it every new day. The 1st day almost no leaks, the 2nd a few leakds, but after about 3 days, you need to use fresh silicone, I think it must soak up the oil from your face. It's a lot cleaner than denture strips and very convenient.
Worked for me, might work for you. FInd in most major drugstores.

Thanks 'alnhwrd'
Jeff

LinkC wrote:OK, where do I find "Mack's" and "eyelash glue"?

I'd like to try them both, but neither Target, Walmart or CVS drugs had either of them! They aren't regional products, are they?
<snip>

No, these are not regional. I've seen them at local stores, big chains, small chains...you know, whenever I don't need them. That said, occasionally one place won't have them, or will be out of them, etc. You know how it works!

I've never had a problem finding eyelash glue in the cosmetic section, near the false eyelashes...but haven't bought any for a while. I would think that a standalone pharmacy such as Walgreen's, CVS, Rite Aid, etc. would be most likely to carry them.

Earplugs are also found in the pharmacy section, and I'm thinking that would be your best bet for Mack's Silicone ones. I believe the Mack's type are recommended for children with tubes in their ears. They have to keep moisture on the OUTSIDE of the ears.

You had my curiosity piqued, LincC.

Target:

Six Packs of Mack's at Target.com

Target Cosmetics: Eyelashes WITH Adhesive--not shown separately online


Walmart:

Mack's Silicone (White) Earplugs at Walmart--only in stores, search to check your store

Walmart Cosmetics: Eyelash Adhesive


CVS:

Mack's Silicone (White) Earplugs at CVS

CVS Cosmetics: Eyelash Adhesive


Karen,
Who hope this helps

Thanks Babette. I can't use the nasal pillows. They do not fit in my nostrils, which are different sized. Plus I hate them a lot (the nasal pillows). I have tried many many masks, though. I like the FP432 the best because it's so comfortable, not like any other mask I've tried. If it could just not leak!!! I have strips of silicone putty on it right now. That is what I'm trying tonight.

Dang! I put in my zippy-code and it says my local Walmart has BOTH! At least I know what the packages look like now, so I have a fighting chance. Thanks! I'll try again tomorrow.

I also have my t-shirt cut into 3 of the little buggers so I can try one tonight.