First night with BiPAP S/T

It didn't go to well. The machine was fine, it was the mask that didn't agree with me. I simply could not get it to seal on my nose, had air blowing in my eyes all night, didn't get much (if any) sleep. Went in to work, boss asked me how the new "Darth Vader" mask went. Told him "not good", he told me I looked pretty rough, that I could/should take a sick day to get this thing worked out.

I went and talked to my DME. The RT is not in today, but I talked to the lady up front. I told her I thought the mask was too big, so she gave me a Medium. I came home, put it on to try it and same issues. It will seal fine and work ok for a few minutes, then it seems that the gel relaxes (I can feel the mask "sag" and move with the pressure changes of the BiPPAP) and it starts to leak around my nose blowing air into my eyes, much worse when the BiPAP goes to the higher pressure (as would be expected). All attempts to stop the leak seem to just make it worse. I have read the instructions that came with the mask, and those on the Respironics web site several times. Have adjusted it from very loose to "OUCH" tight and still can't stop the leaks. I think my face is just the wrong shape for this mask...

I do have a medium sized full face from ResMed that was given to me by a friend that had been mis-diagnosed with apnea (turned out to be thyroid). I just tried it fter thoroughly cleaning it and it seemed good, so I'll give it a try later during a nap or tonight. If it works I'll see if my DME will trade me the ComfortGel for a ResMed tomorrow.

I am open to suggestions if someone happens to notice that I overlooked something.

Any reason why you are going full face? Do you mouth breath? If not why not try and nasal pillow type mask? If so why not also look in the Resemed Mirage Hybrid style mask (nasal pillows with mouth piece) ?

I do mouth breath, right now the idea of taping my mouth is not appealing-I wear a mustache and my dog don't recognize me and bites me when I shave it off

I'm pretty new at this too. I've only had my bipap machine 7 days. I have the Mirage Quattro full face mask. It has this turn dial thing by the nose that you can turn in or out that will help get a better fit so you don't have those leaks. Maybe you could ask about that.

I will ask about that mask, thank you for the suggestion Lisa.

Second night went much, MUCH better. I slept most of the night. I did wake up a few times needing to adjust the mask, but that was mostly because I was on my side and had pushed the mask to the side of my face with the pillow. I did pull the hose off the machine twice, I think the sudden drop in pressure is what woke me.

The mask I was using was the one by ResMed, the Ultra Mirage Full Face. I went and talked to my DME about it this morning. My approach to them was "What am I doing wrong with this ComfortGel?" After explaining the issues I was having with it, I told them about the "borrowed" ResMed mask, and how well it worked for me. They sent me home with a new, unopened medium UMFF

Oh, did I mention how good I am feeling so far today? Well, I'm feeling pretty good, best I've felt in some time. In a good mood too! I hope things continue this well.

Congrats..on the new mask and the sleep!