How does one resolve mask leaks?

I've had an autopap with a full face mask for 3 months and rarely use it more than 2 hours nightly, because the constant leaks keep me awake. Usually air blows into one of my eyes, but sometimes the air causes the mask to squeal. If I stay in one position (impossible for me), I can set the straps so that air won't leak, but if I move my head just an inch or turn over, it leaks again, keeping me awake. Several have noted in their posts that "once they fix the leaks, etc." they finally get some sleep, but I haven't found any posts yet that tell how to "fix the leaks." My only solution to date has been to tighten the straps more and more, until I feel like all blood circulation in my head ceases, which gives me headaches. I'm on my fifth mask...

Hi, well overtightening is usually counterproductive (you may get microleaks in many places instead of one larger one somewhere else). Have you tried other sizes? How many different styles (pillows, hybrid, etc.) have you tried? I have a shallow nose bridge, so use a 'small shallow' size in mine, but it's not perfect, just pretty good most of the time, especially if I pull it down a bit once it's on. Also, if you lose weight, that can change your face of course and you may need a different style... very annoying!

WilliamA wrote:I've had an autopap with a full face mask for 3 months and rarely use it more than 2 hours nightly, because the constant leaks keep me awake. Usually air blows into one of my eyes, but sometimes the air causes the mask to squeal. If I stay in one position (impossible for me), I can set the straps so that air won't leak, but if I move my head just an inch or turn over, it leaks again, keeping me awake. Several have noted in their posts that "once they fix the leaks, etc." they finally get some sleep, but I haven't found any posts yet that tell how to "fix the leaks." My only solution to date has been to tighten the straps more and more, until I feel like all blood circulation in my head ceases, which gives me headaches. I'm on my fifth mask...

Why not start with telling us what FF mask you have? Most leaks can be resolved with mask liners. Tightening the straps is not always the answer...often it makes the leaks worse.

I started using mask liners and don't have a problems with leaks anymore. Also, if you get up and are going back to bed, unhook the mask from the hose, not the straps, and leave the mask on. If liners do not work, perhaps you need a different mask.
Lori

Please read "Taming the Mirage Quattro" in my signature below. Even if you are not using the Quattro these tips will help with any air cushion mask.

It's important to understand that an AIR CUSHION must be fully inflated to work, and if you're mashing the mask onto your face by tightening the straps, the air cushion cannot inflate properly.

It takes some fiddling to get it to work, and it will never be perfect, but at some point you'll figure out how to minimize the leaks and what to do if they become more than minimal.

And I second the notion to get a liner. Padacheek liners are especially helpful, buy two so you can wash one while you use the other.

Finally, this may not be the best mask for you. Go back to your DME and ask to try other full face masks (if you really need a full face mask) until you find one that's comfortable and less prone to leaking. If, after a few nights at home you find a new mask isn't working for you, TAKE IT BACK and ask to try another (manufacturers will credit the DME for masks that are returned within 30 days).

Above all, you need to be using the machine all night every night, so you need to get this leak issue under control.

Been two yrs now on CPAP...absolutely love it...changed me all around...anyway...I get my supplies via medicare, I get a new face cushion every 30 days.......i use the baking soda boil method to clean 7 mask every sunday ..I put on a clean mask everynite...I wipe my face down before putting mask on with stridex natural control, i'm 68 yrs old, it doesn't make me prettier but it does help with leaks...good luck--FA

If you can't wait to try a ready-made mask liner, you can cut (or even tear) one out of Viva cloth-like paper towels.
Not quite as nice, but might help.
I cut one out of a dried out unscented baby wipe--so soft.

Try a mask liner. It took me six months to try a liner. Duh... I tried a few different full face masks before I picked one.
It leaked the least of the ones I tried. Then I tried Remzzz at the advice of my DME and what a difference. Just now starting to think again is my excuse.

I was just like you, couldn't move my head without a leak, until I tried using liners. If one layer doesn't help enough, try two layers. Three is best for me. It made all the difference in the world - no more leaks, no more blisters, no more mask farts.

It may sound counter-intuitive, but I was advised to LOOSEN my mask to allow the cushion to fully inflate and conform to my face.
(kind of a Zen thing, man.)
It really works. I also reduced my EPR, and that reduced leakage as well.
Before I found my cloth mask, I was able to get a good fit with a Comfortgel Full face mask, as the cushion has more depth,
and room for individual facial differences.

Janknitz wrote:
It's important to understand that an AIR CUSHION must be fully inflated to work, and if you're mashing the mask onto your face by tightening the straps, the air cushion cannot inflate properly.

It takes some fiddling to get it to work, and it will never be perfect, but at some point you'll figure out how to minimize the leaks and what to do if they become more than

Thanks for the pointer. After reading your article I loosened the upper straps. My nasal mask had fewer leaks, even when turning over from side to side. I also had shallower marks on my forehead that went away much more quickly than they had for the last couple of weeks!

John

Thanks for the pointer. After reading your article I loosened the upper straps. My nasal mask had fewer leaks, even when turning over from side to side. I also had shallower marks on my forehead that went away much more quickly than they had for the last couple of weeks!

It seems so counterintuitive, yet it works!

I'm watching this thread as I am in the midst of a real battle right now with leaks and the right mask. Right now I have 3 masks (2 dif sizes of ComfortGel Full, and one Optilife Pillow(with like 5 different size pillows, none of which feel like "the one") and I have homemade liners of 2 different materials and also silicone Macks ear plugs for the full masks and KY for the pillows. UHG! If I happen to have a good night with no huge red large leak lines taking up most of my night on my data analysis, then for some reason I can never duplicate it, the next night is a trainwreck. Then I have to tweak......add a liner or take away a liner or add some sticky silicone or switch the mask - sometimes I have to switch the mask simply because wearing one mask for more than 2 days rubs areas of my face raw. I just need something that works dag-gonnit already! Loosening things never works. Thinking of trying a total face mask. But I seriously could almost buy a yacht with all the $$$ I'm throwing into keeping these mask dealers in business. Can't someone just take a mold of my apparently unusually structured face and make me a custom mask???? I feel like I may have to do it myself. Oh yes.....The artist and the tinkerer in me says I will find a way!

opticalpopsicle wrote:I'm watching this thread as I am in the midst of a real battle right now with leaks and the right mask. Right now I have 3 masks (2 dif sizes of ComfortGel Full, and one Optilife Pillow(with like 5 different size pillows, none of which feel like "the one") and I have homemade liners of 2 different materials and also silicone Macks ear plugs for the full masks and KY for the pillows. UHG! If I happen to have a good night with no huge red large leak lines taking up most of my night on my data analysis, then for some reason I can never duplicate it, the next night is a trainwreck. Then I have to tweak......add a liner or take away a liner or add some sticky silicone or switch the mask - sometimes I have to switch the mask simply because wearing one mask for more than 2 days rubs areas of my face raw. I just need something that works dag-gonnit already! Loosening things never works. Thinking of trying a total face mask. But I seriously could almost buy a yacht with all the $$$ I'm throwing into keeping these mask dealers in business. Can't someone just take a mold of my apparently unusually structured face and make me a custom mask???? I feel like I may have to do it myself. Oh yes.....The artist and the tinkerer in me says I will find a way!

Do you have to use a FFM? I use a nasal mask, but I have to wear a high cervical foam collar with it in order to keep my mouth closed--but it works! A chinstrap simply is not enough to keep my mouth closed nor is tape. I rarely even have a minor leak. And I also use a rather bulky mouthpiece.