hybrid mask leaks

My daughter uses a hybrid mask. When we first put it on her, everything is great and there is no leakage or "whooshing" sounds. However, when she falls into a deep sleep, her facial muscles must relax and the mask begins major leakage. We have tried tightening the harness straps, changing the sizes of the pillows, etc., but nothing helps. This is the only mask she feels comfortable with, but with the high pressures of her vent, I can't seem to control the leakage. She wakes up with air in her belly every morning. Has anyone else experienced this, and what suggestions do you have? Other full face masks have also leaked, and caused severe skin breakdown and she does not like them. Thank you.

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What are your daughter's pressure settings? What age?

She uses a ventilator, not CPAP or BIPap, high pressures due to neuromuscular disease and weak respiratory muscles. She retains Co2 which is why she is on the vent. Getting a good night's sleep with minimal leaks is really important, as is to all of you on this board. Her resp. therapists are trying to find solutions but users usually have the best ones, so any suggestions are greatly appreciated! The problem arises when she falls into a deep sleep and her muscles relax. Tightening the harness straps sometimes make things worse! Changing to another mask is an option, but they all leak. Her current mask is the hybrid full face by respcare, and it has been working very well until recently.

concernedmom wrote:She uses a ventilator, not CPAP or BIPap, high pressures due to neuromuscular disease and weak respiratory muscles. She retains Co2 which is why she is on the vent. Getting a good night's sleep with minimal leaks is really important, as is to all of you on this board. Her resp. therapists are trying to find solutions but users usually have the best ones, so any suggestions are greatly appreciated! The problem arises when she falls into a deep sleep and her muscles relax. Tightening the harness straps sometimes make things worse! Changing to another mask is an option, but they all leak. Her current mask is the hybrid full face by respcare, and it has been working very well until recently.

Many of us here use the Respcare Hybrid. If you check this thread (scroll down til you find the Hybrid or the Mirage Liberty - very similar mask), you'll find lots of "fixes" many of us employ to make these masks as leak-free as possible: viewtopic.php?t=15104

Do you know where the mask is leaking? If it's the nasal pillows moving or popping out, there are many fixes for that. If it's the oral cushion (the part that covers the mouth), chances are the headgear straps are too tight, which will increase leaks. (I know that seems counterintuitive, but that's what often happens. The mouth cushion needs to be able to inflate fully when the vent is at full pressure in order to seal well.)

Hope that helps.

Try to figure out where the leak is happening. If she's sleeping deeply enough, she might not notice your hands near her face.
If from around the pillows, try fashioning one of the extra straps most of use.

If the leak is more around the edge of hard shell, make sure the silicon cushion is completely inside the hard-plastic channel; if it's fully inserted, and leaks still occur, identify the area. Go to Wal Mart or a drug store and buy a package of Mack's swimmers ear plugs, the kind made of a white pliable silicon -- pretty inexpensive. Take about a third of one piece and run it between your fingers to make a skinny 'rope,' then flatten it along the area that leaks. I have an oral cushion that just won't seal perfectly and do this when I'm using that cushion -- works perfectly and I get 0 leak with this solution. It peels off pretty cleanly and can be re-used. If a bit sticks, it can be rubbed off easily before washing.

Oh, if you haven't replaced the cushion, pillows, or headgear lately, it might be time -- I've gotten rid of leaks that way a few times.

concernedmom wrote:Her current mask is the hybrid full face by respcare, and it has been working very well until recently.

Sound like a worn strap.