Can't find a mask that works for me

This is a "woe-is-me" post. Sorry. I've been using a CPAP machine since the first of the year and I'm still trying to get a good night's sleep. after the first two masks during my 30-day startup, my therapy service has not given me the opportunity to try a number of masks (insurance won't pay, they say). after the first two masks during my 30-day startup, I bought three on the Internet. I started out with a nasal mask, then went to a Merge Activitva and taping my mouth. This has worked the best but taping my mouth left me with soreness. I've tried Merage Quattro and Respironics full mask. I can't get a seal with either Quattro or Respironics. I have on occasion made a good seal but after going to the bathroom I cannot reseal the mask. I end up taking the masks off for the remainder of the night. I refuse to pay out more money on trials and errors. I'm pretty sure I have the correct size masks (medium). I haven't seen my sleep doctor since the first two visits because I didn't want to keep piling up co-pays but I may have to bite the bullet. By the way, my therapist did try a hybrid on me but couldn't get it to seal. I don't really expect a miraculous solution, here, but I'm certainly open to suggestions.

Check out this page viewtopic.php?t=15104 for "lab rat" fixes for the masks you already have. There are all kinds of suggestions, organized by mask, for tweaking your masks to solve some of the issues you are having.

One thing that struck me is it sounds like you are totally removing a FF mask to go to the bathroom. Try simply disconnecting the hose and leaving the mask on so that you don't have to reseal it when you get back in bed. Some people swear by a clean face and a clean mask to get a seal on those, other's find that putting some lanisoh or ayr gel on your face where the mask will go helps the seal. Personally, I have a Quattro and I could NEVER get a decent seal.

For the Activa, how about a chin strap instead of taping your mouth? An my trick is (since I lie on my side) to simply push a pillow up under my chin and hug it there while I sleep. I also put some chapstick on my lips to make them tacky enough to stick together just a little.

You have some good masks, so maybe you can find the tweak or combination of tweaks that will make them work for you.

BTW, you say you've been trying since the beginning of the year. Check with your insurance about how often you are eligible for a new mask, it should be every 3 or 6 months so surely you should be coming up on one of those replacement periods.