How long do you give a mask before

you throw in the towel and try another? I'm 10 days into using a cpap and so far my therapy is only partially successful. My DME gives me 30 days to return this mask and get another. I've tweaked the mask every way I can think of and I still have leakage sometimes and my SH data shows I'm still having apneas. Of course the sore on the bridge of my nose and the band-aid don't help. I do feel much better since using cpap but I want great!

Last night I finally got fed up with the leaks I took the mask off.

So I guess I have two issues.

1. Mask leaks and comfort. Any suggestions for a mouth breather?

2. High Sleepyhead data. Here are the last 2 days which pretty much sums up the last 10 days.

Two thoughts for you. Read Taming the Mirage Quattro. Each mask should start a new 30 days. If they have a bed at your DME location, lay down and try another mask with your machine at your pressures. Ask about fitting a specific mask. If they have a respiratory therapist, work with them and not a greeter type person.

Your leaks aren't bad,within normal limits, but I think your pressure settings may need to be adjusted. What was your titration? You've got your EPR at 3 so your pressure is dropping to 8 on exhale which may be allowing apneas to get through. You might try lowering the EPR. Have you experimented with auto settings to get an idea of your 95% pressure. Keep us posted.

If you can breathe through your nose a nasal pillow could work. There are several Aloha, Swift FX and Opus 360 all have had good reviews by folks in here. But as someone always points our, each face is different and each mask will fit a subset of faces!

Masks are subjective in my opinion. The DME's fit you according their best guesstimate. No one mask fits everyone, feels the best for everyone, and provides the best therapy for everyone. That is why there is so many different options when it comes to masks and fitting is a luck of the draw in many cases. When I tried my masks on (I have gotten a couple at the DMEs) they had me "try" them on sitting in a chair and without being hooked to a machine. Not an ideal situation.

If you have given it a fair try it might be time to try another. Unfortunately, cpapauction is out of business that allowed many of us to try gently used masks without much cash outlay.

IMO...Your leaks look to be within normal guidelines...If you are a mouth breather a FF mask like the Quattro you are using is appropriate. Follow SLMarks' suggestion and read the "Taming the Quattro" Blog. You could change your machine to "auto" mode with a pressure range of 9 min and 14 max....Your current pressure of 11 may not be high enough.

Thanks for the Taming the Mirage Quattro link. I'll give it a try. I'll also change my EPR setting to see if that helps.