Adjusting to full facial mask having problems

I am having problems adjusting to my new full facial mask (Resmed Mirage Quatro) it leaks out the bottom. I have tried to adjust it not having to much luck. Is it supposed to sit just under my mouth or just at the top of my chin I cannot remeber where it was during my sleep study. I also get a mark on the top of nose, I figure the top of the mask is too tight. If I turn the knob to much then it leaks on the top by my eyes. Anyone that has this mask, have any ideas for me thanks.

Hi Susan, I have a quattro too and have gone round and round with it. Here's what I've found out and have done... I clean the bridge of my nose and face where ever the mask seals with an alcohol pad to remove any facial oils and wash the mask seal every night right before I put it on, making sure it's squeaky clean. I also discovered that where it sits on your nose is very important. If the mask sits too high on the bridge of the nose, it leaks more easily into my eyes. Too low and it makes a nice red painful indention on the bridge of my nose. I had to keep trying moving it up and down to find the "sweet spot" where it leaks the least and wont dig into my nose. I didn't worry about where it was resting at the bottom, between the chin and my lower lip. I velcro the top of the quattro to the front of a pap-cap, and have the pap-cap's straps (with added adjustable velcro loops to hold the lower mask clips & can adjust for length) come around to the front with the clips to secure the bottom of the mask. After I don the pap-cap, I first adjust (pull) the bottom velcro straps to tighten the bottom of the mask, then I turn the knob at the top to just where it feels just tight enough to stop any leaks and won't dig into my nose. After that the mask stays put. It doesn't move at all, not in or out, up or down, or side to side, ever. Even when I side sleep. It may as well be bolted onto my face LOL. With this set-up, I don't have to adjust my straps every night (or at all for that matter) and it doesn't leak much if ever (that I'm aware of) and doesn't hurt my nose. Once I got everything set up and adjusted, I just put it on, clip the clips, turn on my machine and sleep like a baby. Hope this helps!

Try the fitting techniques here http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/
and please let me know if it works for you

Janknitz wrote:Try the fitting techniques here http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/
and please let me know if it works for you

I tried it out the fitting techniques before actually going to bed, so far they worked. The biggest test is now can I get a goodnight sleep tonight.

I have done the fitting techniques (taming the Mirage Quattro) for the mask and headgear that were suggested from a previous post, I did it before I actually go to bed to save my husband from the noise adjusting the straps. Now I can go from side to side and on my back without leaks yippie. Now is the big test is actually getting a goodnight sleep. I have an appointment with my sleep specialist tomorrow which I made earlier today before I did the fitting techniques this evening. Still going to go just encase I don't have the mask and the headgear quite right, which at the moment I do.
Thanks for all the replies it does help a lot and is appreciated.

@Janknitz.... thank you for posting that link.... I too am a newbie and wasn't aware that the Quattro was supposed to have an air cushion (truth be told, I really didn't know how it was supposed to work and have been winging it for the past 3 weeks)! My biggest complaint has been leaks.

I also picked up a package of Remzzzs this afternoon at a DME here in Vancouver (NO SHIPPING CHARGE!) that I'm going to try, along with the "taming" instructions.


Thank you again!

Oooh, I'm glad they are working for others, too!

I am a die hard nasal pillow mask fan, but so far I haven't wanted to go back to nasal pillows, despite the fact that my cough and nasal congestion are gone. I'm comfortable in the Quattro now--that's huge.

Thanks again for your advice. I slept better last night, still leaked still leaked some. I remembered how to reajust and then went back to sleep. I looked in the mirror after I awoke and the straps were too tight yet, the mask left marks on leftside and on nose. I will be going to the appointment to further help out the adjustments.

There is a gel nose pad that is pretty good. I had the same problem adjusting to the quattro. I also found that the home-made mask liner (cut from an old tee shirt) and the mask liner from pad-a-cheek worked well to save my nose. I never use the gel pad now and always use one of the other liners.

I went to the sleep specialist today and showed her the marks on my face and nose she said we could try a different mask that does not take up so much space as the Quattro on my face. I decided that I could give it a try, it is the Mirage Liberty full face mask with nasal pillows and no headgear. I liked the Swift fx nasal pillows I had before the full face mask so I tried them and it was okay and I like that the other part covered less of my face and only around my mouth. I asked if it would give me more freedom to move around at night and the answer was more than I had with the Quattro. The specialist tightened up the mask for me so it was comfortable and not leaking, I came home and took a sharpie and marked down were the end of the straps were placed as a reminder where they should be. Hopefully a goodnight sleep will be in my future, it has been quite a longtime since I have had one.