Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Tue Jan 14, 2014 7:40 pm

sawinglogz wrote:No, your mouth should be closed. But if your chin-to-nose distance is fairly small (as you say your upper-lip-to-nose distance is), it may be that the mouth cushion is too big for you. I thought about this as well, but I only got the one mouth cushion. Or maybe it's just getting pushed down by the pillow height and you're dropping your jaw so that the bottom of the mouth cushion fits? It could be that too. With the saran wrap, I can keep my mouth closed and not worry about leaks.

I have the large, and the cushion is just around the outside of my lips with my mouth closed. It's also flexible enough that if my jaw drops a little, it generally follows (with a fresh cushion...after a month the cushion is too rigid and leaks).

How old are your cushion & pillows? They're about 4 or 5 days old. Definitely not old enough to be inflexible.

If the saran wrap worked, try the mask liner as well. I thought about the the liner, but I think Id prefer the saran wrap. For one, it's cheaper. Second, I don't breathe through my mouth. I was using pillows before, but my leak rate was way too high because air would escape through my lips. I've even woken up to my lips flapping. I even recorded myself one night. No mouth breathing, just air escaping the lips. So, I just needed something other than polygrip and tape to keep my mouth closed, because polygrip and tape weren't cutting it performance-wise, and it's a PITA. Using saran wrap with this mask actually doesn't allow air into my mouth, but it also doesn't let air out since the air pressure keeps the saran wrap firmly pressed against my mouth. It's the best of both worlds: nasal pillows, and keeps my lips firmly shut. I'll report my leak rate in the morning (which, with the Swift FX, was always WELL above 24 L/min.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

sawinglogz
Posts: 400
Joined: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:53 pm

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by sawinglogz » Tue Jan 14, 2014 8:56 pm

digitalepiphany wrote:I thought about this as well, but I only got the one mouth cushion.
Yes, there's just a "large" mask size (with large cushion) and a "small" mask size (with small cushion). The Innomed is much more configurable.

I didn't realize you were covering your mouth with the saran wrap. That's interesting, though I suppose there's a risk you swallow it?

_________________
Mask: Mirage Liberty™ Full Face CPAP Mask with Nasal Pillows With Headgear
Additional Comments: EEP=5-15, PSmin=4, PSmax=19, Max=25 cm H2O, SleepyHead software

User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Tue Jan 14, 2014 9:43 pm

I actually cut it larger than the cushion, so that it sticks out on all sides of the mask. With the force of the air pressure pressing the saran wrap against my closed lips, they don't move, much less open, so I'm pretty sure that swallowing it won't be a danger. Of course, I only tried it out for about 5 minutes, but we'll see how it goes tonight.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed, as tomorrow is the first day back to school and I need this to start working for me.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:23 am

Okay, this mask has got to go. Worst mask ever. I finally got the mouth cushion leaks under control using saran wrap, and now I can't keep the pillows from leaking/falling out.

I'm pretty sure it's because the pillows are too tall. Still waiting on a call back from my DME about the Innomed.

Looks like I'll be staying up all night again.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

User avatar
49er
Posts: 5624
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:18 am

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by 49er » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:28 am

digitalepiphany wrote:Okay, this mask has got to go. Worst mask ever. I finally got the mouth cushion leaks under control using saran wrap, and now I can't keep the pillows from leaking/falling out.

I'm pretty sure it's because the pillows are too tall. Still waiting on a call back from my DME about the Innomed.

Looks like I'll be staying up all night again.
I am sorry to hear that digitalephiphany. Believe me, I feel your pain as I have been unable to find a full face mask that works and is one reason why I plan to have nasal surgery.

But my case is extreme and many people do find something what works without drastic measures.

Hang in there.

49er

User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Wed Jan 15, 2014 4:42 am

Thanks. It just really sucks because school starts in the morning. My symptoms got so bad that I've had to drop out the past two semesters. I really wanted this to work, at least half-ass, before the semester started.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

User avatar
49er
Posts: 5624
Joined: Mon Jan 16, 2012 8:18 am

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by 49er » Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:04 am

digitalepiphany wrote:Thanks. It just really sucks because school starts in the morning. My symptoms got so bad that I've had to drop out the past two semesters. I really wanted this to work, at least half-ass, before the semester started.
I totally understand. But you have to do what is necessary to take care of yourself. School will be there when you are ready.

49er

User avatar
MagsterMile
Posts: 393
Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:02 pm
Location: Northern Illinois

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by MagsterMile » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:22 am

I feel your pain with the Mirage Liberty. I'm unable to understand why ResMed can't build a better quality hybrid. The headgear is not very stable. The other hybrid company has a much sturdier headgear. I go back and forth between the ResMedQuattro Air and the Liberty. Two nights ago had a fairly stable sleep (for me that is) with the Liberty but last night I couldn't stand all the pressure of the air coming into my nose so I got up and put on the Quattro Air. I've never been able to totally eliminate mouth leaks with the Liberty. They are never very high but sometimes enough to wake me up.

_________________
Mask: ResMed AirFit™ F20 Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: S9 series ResMed VPAP Adapt-pressure: Epap 6.0 ps5 - 13.0

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63942
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by Pugsy » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:34 am

Go back to using your other mask if you cannot use the Liberty at all.
Some therapy even with mask leaks from mouth breathing is better than no sleep or no therapy.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Wed Jan 15, 2014 9:59 am

I'm sure it makes a difference, but I can't tell symptom-wise. I've been doing this for 5 months now, and have noticed no difference. The really depressing part of all of this is that I can't wake up in the morning, and I'm completely exhausted all the time. This isn't conducive to school or work. Hell, I got fired from my last job because of this (pre-diagnosis). I'm just fed up.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63942
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by Pugsy » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:28 am

What's the status of getting a real in lab sleep study?
Did you ever get an answer why the VPAP ST was chosen over the Adapt?

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:48 am

No clue on the real sleep study, much less a titration study. Hell, I don't even get mask fittings. They just send me what I ask for, which I guess is kind of a good thing, but it doesn't help me any other way than that. I also tried getting provigil, but the VA doesn't have it available, and I can't afford it on my own.

I put a call into the clinic on Monday (or Friday; I don't really remember at this point). Still waiting on a return call.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

User avatar
Pugsy
Posts: 63942
Joined: Thu May 14, 2009 9:31 am
Location: Missouri, USA

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by Pugsy » Wed Jan 15, 2014 10:53 am

I wish they had sent you the Adapt....
I am not sure that the ST will work and for sure can't even test it adequately until you can find a mask you can use.
The ST might work though I think that you would have done better with greater chance of success with the Adapt...but that's just my opinion.
Since we still don't know if your centrals point to complex SA or not...it makes for a lot of what iffing.

_________________
Machine: AirCurve™ 10 VAuto BiLevel Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Additional Comments: Mask Bleep Eclipse https://bleepsleep.com/the-eclipse/
I may have to RISE but I refuse to SHINE.

If you want to try the Eclipse mask and want a special promo code to get a little off the price...send me a private message.

User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Wed Jan 15, 2014 11:30 am

I'm not sure either. I guess I'll find out when he calls me back.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12

User avatar
digitalepiphany
Posts: 255
Joined: Thu Sep 05, 2013 12:31 am
Location: Dallas, TX

Re: Fed up with Mirage Liberty at high pressure

Post by digitalepiphany » Thu Jan 16, 2014 10:36 am

Just spoke with my guy at the VA. Fortunately, he's able to get the Innomed Hybrid for me. Can't wait.

As for the machine, he said that for CA, all that I need is the back-up rate on the VPAP ST he sent me. I'll trust his judgment at this point. Once I get these damn leaks under control, I'll be able to actually trust the data coming out of my machine.

_________________
Mask: Amara Full Face CPAP Mask with Gel & Silicone Cushions
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: It's a VPAP ST. IPAP:16 EPAP: 12