Mask Problem?

Mask problems? I started on CPAP in early September. My machine is a PR System One REMstar Pro CPAP Machine with C-Flex Plus. Matching System One heated humidifier. Pressure setting of 11. My first mask was a ResMed Mirage Quattro. It leaked and blew lots of air on my eyes. After about 3 weeks, and my complaints, my DME switched me to a FlexiFit 432. It is a little bit better. I can get it adjusted perfectly as long as I lie on my back and don’t move. Once I am asleep if the mask shifts up on my face it rubs my eyes close to the tear ducts. I wake up with blood shot eyes and blurred vision. If the mask rides low on my face the top of the mask rests just below the Procerus muscle and it inhibits breathing. How many masks did you go through to get a good fit? Did any of you get blurred vision from your mask? Is there a formula for getting a custom fit mask like going to a tailor or seamstress? Is the best mask fit just trial and error? Thanks in advance for your time in response. zrons

Yup, it's pretty much trial and error. Some of us absolutely hate the same masks that others absolutely love. A lot depends on the shape of your face and the pressure of your xpap, and how much you move around at night or try to burrow your face in the pillow. I've jury-rigged a support for my F and P 431 using an ace bandage cut into a narrower strip and wrapped around my head just over the hose connector - word of warning: it worked fine the first couple of nights but then one night it rode up over my exhaust ports; I've fixed that problem by affixing the rough part of a velcro stip to my mask to keep the ace bandage in place. I see padacheek makes a band that would probably work better than my method to keep the mask in place and stop leaks. One of these days I'll break down and order it....

Do you ramp your pressure? The tension that holds the mask in place at the lower pressure may not be right when it gets to 11. Adjust your mask at the higher pressure and that may help.

I began with Respironics ComfortGel- but suffered some of the same problems you describe (the mask would migrate to the eyesocket & blow air into my eyes). I moved to their Optilife Cradle Cushions [like pillows, but sits below nose rather than extending into nose- for me it gives me the feeling of more air]. As I describe elsewhere, it is a love/hate relationship-- but one I am willing to pursue because of the openness of the design-- many people say that pillows and, in my case, cradle cushions seem to work better for many who sleep on their side or move during the night.

One man's opinion-- and I'm sticking to it
letchworth

cpap.com has a mask questionnaire, which may help you narrow down your choices:

https://www.cpap.com/help-me-choose.php

rockybarb@cox.net wrote:How many masks did you go through to get a good fit? Did any of you get blurred vision from your mask? Is there a formula for getting a custom fit mask like going to a tailor or seamstress? Is the best mask fit just trial and error?

I just finished the two-month mark and I'm on my fifth mask. From reading some of the posts on the board, I consider myself pretty lucky.
I've been through a nasal mask, two nasal pillow masks, a hybrid, and I'm currently using a FFM. And, yes, it is trial and error all the way. I've taped (4 kinds, several different configurations), poligrip stripped, pantyhosed (sometimes all of the above at once) and still mouth breathe/drool.

KatieW wrote:cpap.com has a mask questionnaire, which may help you narrow down your choices:

https://www.cpap.com/help-me-choose.php

I found this to be quite helpful (although some people don't) and that's how I wound up with my current mask, a ComfortFull II. Even though it's the best one yet, there may be room for improvement, as I tend to sleep on my right side, and no matter what I do I end up with a crease on my right cheek and a watery right eye in the morning. I've tightened, loosened, wiggled, jiggled, lined with RemZZZZ, used a different pillow, you name it, the line/watery eye is still there. It's very comfortable and my leak rate is excellent, but I really don't need any more wrinkles than I already have I'm finally sleeping so well, though, that I almost don't care.