need2snooze wrote:I welcome all suggestions! After all, if I don't need some suggestions now, I'm sure I'll need them later. Oftentimes, I feel that CPAP therapy is like going down a bunch of rabbit trails. It always seems like its one thing or the other; i.e. humidity issues, mask issues, hose issues, pressure issues, etc. Yes, I do have Sleepyhead data. If I'm successful uploading it from my Mac (wasn't successful several months ago), I would love to get some feedback. I'll give it a try again. I use the Ruby chinstrap and two long pieces of tape over my mouth. Can't imagine how air is getting through there, but what do I know, except that my throat is dry and there isn't much water left in my tank. I used to use a FFM before the Swift FX but had so many leaking problems with the FFM. The hissing sounds kept me awake. I love the Swift FX but wonder if it is the best mask for me, even though it is the most comfortable.
I wear the swift fx too, I've tried to get it to leak every which way but loose when I was switching masks. . .and it can leak, but only when it's seated incorrectly which is incredibly uncomfortable. The only other way it could possibly leak is if it's too hard being too old or if it's too small for your nose. If you tape and wear a chinstrap and your tape is in place when you wake up in the morning, it's highly unlikely that you are breathing through your mouth.
You may try running a humidifier in your room in addition to the humidifier in your cpap machine. You said you have a heated hose? Is the hose on high? It may not be warm enough to keep warm the cooler night air - which might be drying out your throat. I was having trouble with a very dry throat, but at that time I was running my cpap with a regular hose. I have the heated hose, now, and I make sure the setting for it is at 5 (hottest) so that the air is a warmer than the room temp air. That seems to have done the trick.
You might also, if you haven't already done so, cover your hose with a light weight hose cover - and keep it under the blankets. Make sure the hose cover goes all the way up over the short hose, as I found that short hose will allow the air to cool in a hurry.
Edit: You know, in thinking about your mask, if it slips up in the front or the band in the back slips up, that could also cause leaks. Sorry about that - heh. . .brain dead tonight. Does your mask slip in the front or back?
