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Wulfman wrote: Carbonman wrote his "Zen of the mask" post sometime back. He uses the UMFF, too.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34519&p=295055&hilit=+Zen#p295055
Den

The Zen of the Mask has nothing to do with how clean it is.

I'm still using my original UM also. I did need to replace the elbow assembly.
The supports on the anti asphyxia valve broke.
Too much flipping and flopping.

Wulfman wrote: I think I actually get more skin irritation from an absolutely clean mask. Consequently, it doesn't feel "comfortable" (or "normal") until after I've worn it for a couple nights after I've washed it.

One thing I do when I'm washing my mask is to do a final soak in COLD water (after a wash in HOT and a rinse/soak or two in HOT). In my mind, it brings a little "springiness" back to the seal.
Den

I agree with you again, Den. I think I am finding that there is an improvement from the friction I was getting with the crystal clean mask on my face as compared with my oily one. Haha--Still makes me cringe to say the words --but it's true! Just goes against all my sensibilities, but it works! Never thought of the cold water rinse, and will try that in my weekly (or less frequent) washings. Thanks for the suggestion!

I too have discovered that washing mine no more often than once a week has improved things. The exception was recently when I had a severe sinus infection. I was coughing a lot and therfore washed it daily for one week. Now I'm back to weekly at most.

carbonman wrote:

Wulfman wrote: Carbonman wrote his "Zen of the mask" post sometime back. He uses the UMFF, too.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34519&p=295055&hilit=+Zen#p295055
Den

The Zen of the Mask has nothing to do with how clean it is.

I'm still using my original UM also. I did need to replace the elbow assembly.
The supports on the anti asphyxia valve broke.
Too much flipping and flopping.

I beg to differ with you, sir.

From your post: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34519&p=295055&hilit=+Zen#p295055

"I don't know, yet, what the true Zen of the Mask is.
It will come over time, with more experience.

What is your Zen of the Mask? "

From:

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

Zen emphasizes experiential prajñā, particularly as realized in the form of meditation, in the attainment of enlightenment. As such, it de-emphasizes theoretical knowledge in favor of direct, experiential realization through meditation and dharma practice.

For me, it's the discovery of "what works best for my therapy through experimentation".


Den

Wulfman wrote:
I beg to differ with you, sir.

From your post: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34519&p=295055&hilit=+Zen#p295055

"I don't know, yet, what the true Zen of the Mask is.
It will come over time, with more experience.

What is your Zen of the Mask? "
.

For me, it's the discovery of "what works best for my therapy through experimentation".


Den

Of course.
Thank you!

I have recently stopped the before-bed face wash (Aveeno oatmeal bar -- sounds more like a snack, doesn't it?), and I've cut the mask wipedown (CPAP wipes from my DME) to once every 2 or 3 days. I too had inferred that zero oil was suboptimal. It seems to me that dry-on-dry slips around more.

I still shave (electric) before bed. At least in the places the FF mask makes contact.

I have noticed when my nasal mask is clean (I wash it every day with baby shampoo and once a week with dishes soap) and my face is clean no grease at all I have a hard time with leaks. If my skin face is dry I have leaks. Some times I have needed to put a very samll amount of oily cream to be able to stop leaks.

I agree there is a delicate balance with the cleannes of your face and your mask to achieve optimal sealling.

Personnally I prefere a clean mask with a slightly greasy face

rosacer

I do not wash my mask daily. Just once a week at best and frankly, when I do wash it, that night seems to be a rough one in terms of leaks. I do always wash my face and apply the necessay (for me) 2-3 round bandaids to the bridge of my nose.

Im thinkin its time we have a 'funkiest mask contest'

grady61 wrote:Im thinkin its time we have a 'funkiest mask contest'

...sub-titled: Success With Poor Hygiene (& apologies to Mom)!

OK, I was not going to post this but since everyone is having such a good week of not leaking..........here goes. I have had fairly good leak lines before but this week (twice)it can't get much better than this. Den do you think my machine BROKE??????
Wednesday and again last night!!!!!!





I keep telling Babette that the NAII don't leak, all you have to do is keep your mouth shut!! I did use a FFM mask the first year and a half of my journey so I do understand having problems with leaks. A lot of my FFM leak lines were off the scale!!! I do wipe down the prongs in the morning but the seal gets better with age and softness of the prongs.

Jerry

Jerry, amazing! I swear you used a ruler to draw those leak lines!

DoriC wrote:Jerry, amazing! I swear you used a ruler to draw those leak lines!

I don't think I could draw that straight a line with a ruler!! I have gotten leak lines with a few little blips before but did not think a straight line was possible and then 2 in one week. I wonder if this translates to a Resmed 0.0 leak report? I see folks listing a 0.0 leak with Resmed machines sometimes. One thing I did notice is that even though the lines do seem to match the leak numbers are not exactly the same. Close but off a little.

Jerry

Jerry,

I thought I had great leak lines. Yours are perfect! Are you sure you are still breathing?

Oh wow Jerry, now I have 'leak line' envy!!!