Can Data Tell If I Have a Mask Problem?

My husband just started using a Quattro FFM after his old faithful the UltraMirageFFM became uncooperative. While the Q is a bit finicky to adjust at first and is not too forgiving, once it's happy with the fit, it's been virtually leak free the past 2 weeks and my husband turns from side to side many times. I have a feeling it doesn't like your beard...sorry! Also, were you fitted correctly for the proper size?

We need to see the pressure graph as well.

Fitting your mask at pressure may be very important for you. Try without ramp if you can.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for the comprehensive replies and suggestions.

Fit the mask at full pressure using the tips mentioned in janknitz maskarrayed blog about "taming" the Quattro. I also made the DIY t-shirt mask liner janknitz described on maskarrayed. Laid down for a test run around 9:15pm, fell asleep and slept an hour or two. Got up to use the bathroom and turn off the lights -- and somehow lost the fit. Dummy me -- took the mask off instead of unhooking the hose. Fiddled with the mask for 10-15 minutes and then fell asleep thinking it was acceptable -- the DIY mask liner in place and re-fit at full pressure. I woke twice more when nocturia came a knockin'. Ugh! Just unhooked the hose both of those times.

Since I'm on call this week, I can't take any sleep meds. Long story, but I have to be able to get to the hospital within an hour when I'm on call, so no sleep meds during this week. Anyway, woke up at 5:30ish, after some side sleeping and intermittent fiddling with the mask. I *thought* everything had gone better last night regarding large leaks as I didn't feel the wind tunnel or hear huge leaking from the mask. Looking at my graphs, I believe I was wrong.

To answer some of your questions:
a) The ramp feature is turned on. It is set to start at 4cm and ramp up 30min to presets 17/14.
b) Reminder of DME policy - my DME's official policy is that they don't exchange masks. They say that 90% of the time, the mask the person leaves with is the correct one for them. However, he told me he would "make it right" if this mask isn't right or doesn't fit me. He basically said he would give me one more mask if things didn't work with this one.
c) DME did "fit" me using the plastic size molds from ResMed. My mask is a medium. FWIW, the Respironics ComfortGel Full used for my titration study was a size large.

Anyway, the graph tells the rest of the story...



I do know I slept on my side a lot last night. That probably contributed to the leaks. I also know that it wasn't a normal sleep night because I couldn't take any sleep med. Nonetheless, I have to admit, this is discouraging. Just for the mask situation. I'm still VERY positive about xPAP. And I know you folks will provide excellent guidance on what I need to do next. THANKS again!

CJ, I found the Quattro to be a dance w/the devil.
One size does not fit many. Do not stop until you find
what works exactly for you.....and only you will know
when that happens.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34880&p=298811&hili ... r+#p298811

carbonman wrote:CJ, I found the Quattro to be a dance w/the devil.
One size does not fit many. Do not stop until you find
what works exactly for you.....and only you will know
when that happens.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34880&p=298811&hili ... r+#p298811

I'm starting to feel like it's a samba with satan myself. Ugh.

I just read your thread -- and right now, I'm questioning the sizing of the mask I have. Maybe I should take a photo of the mask on my face tonight and post it. I know, I know... that would surely be scary and might loose the forum some members. But, it is almost Halloween... and, I'd do my best to smile pretty under that darn thing.

In all seriousness, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't shave off my beard completely. And/or, switch to the Respironics ComfortGel Full -- especially since it seemed to fit and not leak during my titration study. Yeah, I know... that was one night. Thus, the wonderment. As far as the DME goes, I get one more shot at getting the right mask. I am not rich, but I would be willing to put out my own money, if needed, to get the right mask -- as I know it is key to xPAP therapy working for me. And the benefits far outweigh a hundred dollar "loss" in a mask.

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/html/ma ... lates.html

Templates that are printable so you can do your own measurements.
Something is seriously not working with what you have right now.
When you were at the DME did they test your mask fit with the machine on and under full pressure?

Pugsy wrote:http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/html/ma ... lates.html

Templates that are printable so you can do your own measurements.
Something is seriously not working with what you have right now.
When you were at the DME did they test your mask fit with the machine on and under full pressure?

Pugsy,
I printed the Mirage Quattro template and measured. Size: Medium
The DME did test my mask fit with the machine on and under full pressure. Maybe I'm just doing something wrong.

Well if size is correct then maybe it is simply the mask and your facial structure. Your leaks are so bad that it makes me wonder if everything is attached properly. I would be moving on to a different mask if it was me. I have no patience for this sort of thing.
I don't think it can all be blamed on the facial hair either. On all your reports you only had that short 2 hour span night before last where leaks were down around 60 that even come close to being acceptable. The rest of the time the leaks were probably the worst I have ever seen.

Only other thing I can suggest....fit the mask to pressure and sit and use it under pressure while watching TV or reading...don't go to sleep. That way you can be alert to any leaks. Do it for an hour or so then check the leak line.

At this point nasal pillows and mouth breathing would produce less leaks than you are having now.

Charlie, I've sent you a PM. Totally agree with Pugsy that a nasal pillow mask might be the answer. I was never able to find a suitable FFM but the nasal pillow mask suited me to a T.

Suz

Pugsy wrote:I don't think it can all be blamed on the facial hair either.

I hope it isn't the facial hair. Everyone kinda likes my beard -- and my kids say I'd look funny without it. Heck, I prolly look funny anyway.

Pugsy wrote:Only other thing I can suggest....fit the mask to pressure and sit and use it under pressure while watching TV or reading...don't go to sleep. That way you can be alert to any leaks. Do it for an hour or so then check the leak line.

I'll do that tonight and post my observations and graph tomorrow morning. THANKS Pugsy!

Suzjohnson wrote:Charlie, I've sent you a PM. Totally agree with Pugsy that a nasal pillow mask might be the answer. I was never able to find a suitable FFM but the nasal pillow mask suited me to a T.
Suz

Suz, thank you for the PM. I checked it out... excellent. Not knowing any better, my concern is the fact that I mouth breathe most all the time. I have had fairly severe allergies all my life, so a stuffy nose is the norm for me. I'm afraid using a nasal pillow and chin strap (to keep my mouth closed) would leave me feeling like I was suffocating. I guess I should try it before coming to any conclusions, though. I just can't afford to make that change with the DME. He offered me one swap of a mask. After that, I'm OOP for anything else.

You are talking to the allergy queen of the western hemisphere! So am also a dedicated mouth breather. Between Zyrtec, Flonase and sinus rinses, manage to make it to bedtime with minimal stuffiness and any that remains disappears pronto when I don the mask. Chin strap and tape remain essential to keeping my yap and lips closed. It did take me a month or so to grow accustomed to the additional restriction, must admit, l had reached the point of being out of options. You simply end up doing what you gotta do.

Hope it won't be necessary but if you do have to go OOP to try other masks, our host cpap dot com offers return insurance on masks so you won't be out the whole purchase price.

I have done this for several masks--awesome folks!

DoriC wrote:Hope it won't be necessary but if you do have to go OOP to try other masks, our host cpap dot com offers return insurance on masks so you won't be out the whole purchase price.

chunkyfrog wrote:I have done this for several masks--awesome folks!

It looks like the consensus is for me to try another mask. I'm going to give Pugsy's suggestion a try tonight. If that doesn't yield a positive effect, the Mirage Quattro goes back to the DME tomorrow. Based on one night's use and the fact that I won't get another trial mask thru the DME, would you suggest I go with the PR ComfortGel Full or what? Alternatively, a kind forum member has offered me a nasal pillow mask to try. I could continue to fiddle with the MQ while I settle things with the forum member - and wait for the nasal pillow to arrive. Or, purchase one, with return insurance from cpap dot com...

Suggestions would be appreciated as my interpretation of the replies here lead me to believe the MQ might not be suitable for me.

It sucks if you have to do the mask dance, but really without a proper fitting mask for your face, everything else is secondary.

note: some of the liners like pad-a-cheek have fixed a lot of people's problems with almost-fitting masks leaking. Sometimes it doesn't help.