Need a little advice

A while back I started feeling tired and grouchy. Started dozing off and missing exits off the highway. Checked my CPAP machine and noticed that my nightly average had dropped from 5.6 hrs/night to 0.4 hrs/night. Bought another mask, no better. Started paying more attention when I woke up during the night and most of the time I was leaking around the nose pieces. So I cinched it up tighter and looked like a fat dude in a thong. Not much difference and lots of face marks to show for it. Then I cranked up the humidity from .5 to 3.0, Heaven opened up and I dreamed again for the first time in two months, but alas it hasn't been consistant. The average has been slowly going back up, it's at 0.6 hrs/night now and I still wake up around 3:30 or 4:00 am with leaks around the nose pieces with a dry mouth. I'll play with the humidity some more and see if I can find a happy medium. The Liberty mask has been the best fit but I'm willing to try anything. Any suggestions? Also, I have never been back to the sleep study doctor since starting the CPAP treatment, this seems a little strange but it appears this doctor was more interested in running folks through and I apparently got lost in the shuffle. My family doctor has written a prescription so I can continue to get supplies and file on our health insurance, but that's another story. i need some advice on how to get back to sleeping like a baby, I don't like being grouchy.

Welcome, It sounds like your mask may be the problem, it should not be cinched so tight as to leave marks. How long have you been using cpap? Have you ever tried to make a followup appt with your Dr.? Do you clean the mask cushions? Comfortable sleep environment and good hygiene? How long have you had this mask? What other masks have you tried? Do you have a copy of your sleep study? A lot of questions I know, but we need to know more so we can help. Please give us as much info as you can.

FIRST: you must get your mask leaks under control. (and sometimes "tighter" actually CAUSES leaks.)

How old is your mask. The silicone seals DO deteriorate over time. Might be time to replace it (or at least the cushion...)

If you're leaking at the nasal cushions, you might search here for "tights fix". (I know that sounds weird....it's essentially an elastic band of spandex cut from a pair of ladies' tights that holds the pillows against your nostrils.) You'll find all the details elsewhere...I couldn't begin to describe the methods, tips and nuances of the technique here.

Best of luck! You really can't begin tweaking your settings until the leaks are minimal. You'll be chasing your tail...

Been on CPAP since 2007, contacted the doctors office about a year and half after starting Cpap and the nurse said they couldn't find my file. Got busy and never heard back from them and didn't think anything of it as the therapy was working fine. This mask is about two months old and its kept clean. Wash my face with Neutrogena nightly. I do have a pinched nerve in my neck which does bother me at times. Would have to dig for the sleep study report though. I do need to figure out a way to help the nose pieces seal better. tried the different sizes that come with the mask and the large fits the best. Frustrating. i have used the Hybrid, a ResMed full face Ultra, and another offbrand full face that leaked like a colander.

Hi Sid,

Take a look at the "Lab Rat Fixes" compiled by Rested Gal here: viewtopic.php?t=15104. Scroll down to your mask there and see if you can find something that'll work to minimize the mask leaks.

I hope that helps.