How long to give a new mask model?

Previously I had been using the Mirage Quattro, and before that I had the Quattro FX. The FX leaked too much and moved around. The Quattro was better, but I still had eye leakage issues. The forehead dial is all the way down and I use a Padacheek liner, and I STILL have air blowing in my eyes. I'm due for a new mask through insurance so I went in Friday after work to see about a different one. I wanted to try either the Hybrid or the Liberty, but the guy talked me into giving a different FFM a try. So I've got the Respironics Amara. After two nights, I don't like it either. It also blows into my eyes and I have leakage around my chin too. I tried it Friday night with the liner and Saturday night without. I don't want to give up right away if things will get better but at the same time I don't want to waste time with a mask that just isn't going to work. So how long do you give a new mask to start working?

I say 3 days is my limit. By then, if it's not working, I'm quite miserable and I just need sleep. I will say that you should try different ones or possibly different sizes because it has made a difference in leak noise, amt of leak and personal comfort.

The Amara doesn't have a good track record for suddenly becoming a workable mask when it is problematic to start with.
I wouldn't spend much more time with it if it were me...but then I have been known to trash can a mask after one night.

When I tried the Nano a few weeks back, I gave it just 15 minutes on 2 consecutive nights with 1 size of the cushion.

I ordered another smaller cushion which was a tad better, but not great.
I gave that cushion 2 full, but fitful nights.

I don't expect to try again.

SabrinaFaire wrote:Previously I had been using the Mirage Quattro, and before that I had the Quattro FX. The FX leaked too much and moved around. The Quattro was better, but I still had eye leakage issues. The forehead dial is all the way down and I use a Padacheek liner, and I STILL have air blowing in my eyes. I'm due for a new mask through insurance so I went in Friday after work to see about a different one. I wanted to try either the Hybrid or the Liberty, but the guy talked me into giving a different FFM a try. So I've got the Respironics Amara. After two nights, I don't like it either. It also blows into my eyes and I have leakage around my chin too. I tried it Friday night with the liner and Saturday night without. I don't want to give up right away if things will get better but at the same time I don't want to waste time with a mask that just isn't going to work. So how long do you give a new mask to start working?

The forehead dial should be LOOSE...not tightened all the way down. Have you read the instructions on fitting then Quattro?

I'd go back to the original Resmed Quattro and work on the eye leakage issue. First thing, are you absolutely sure you are fitted for the right size Quattro? That is absolutely critical.

If you play with the Quattro nose dial enough and the straps enough, you will be able to shut down leak around the eyes.

Usually after two nights I know whether a mask is a keeper or not.

Yes, I don't need to give a mask that's not working for me a couple of weeks like some people, even if there's something else to try like a liner, or whatever. You usually get a feeling about a mask after a couple of tries. A night or two, and I can tell if a mask is going to work for me. Maybe it's different with nasal pillow and nasal masks, since they are simple and have less points of contact, but I don't see any reason to keep subjecting myself to a bad experience if I can tell it isn't going anywhere.

The only exceptions that I can think of offhand are the cloth masks, that I hear do take some work to get them set up right. But still, if it isn't working in a few days, or at least improving, maybe I'll try again later, but it's over for me *smile*.

I suppose that part of it is that I do have a good alternative to go back to, I'm not at the end of my rope like some, just looking for a better experience.

LSAT wrote:

SabrinaFaire wrote:Previously I had been using the Mirage Quattro, and before that I had the Quattro FX. The FX leaked too much and moved around. The Quattro was better, but I still had eye leakage issues. The forehead dial is all the way down and I use a Padacheek liner, and I STILL have air blowing in my eyes. I'm due for a new mask through insurance so I went in Friday after work to see about a different one. I wanted to try either the Hybrid or the Liberty, but the guy talked me into giving a different FFM a try. So I've got the Respironics Amara. After two nights, I don't like it either. It also blows into my eyes and I have leakage around my chin too. I tried it Friday night with the liner and Saturday night without. I don't want to give up right away if things will get better but at the same time I don't want to waste time with a mask that just isn't going to work. So how long do you give a new mask to start working?

The forehead dial should be LOOSE...not tightened all the way down. Have you read the instructions on fitting then Quattro?

Hmm No, I hadn't. I was going based on what the tech told me as far as fitting goes. I have read it now though and will try to adjust the dial as suggested.

I've Beta tested various interfaces since 1999 when I was diagnosed with OSA ( in the neighborhood of 50 different interfaces). Usually 3 nights is enough for me to tell if the interface will work for me. Personally, I shy away from fullface masks although I have tested 4 of them, the larger the area that has to be sealed the higher the likelihood of leaks, stick to nasal masks with a chin strap if necessary or nasal pillows. I've also tested 2 different models of the Oracle mouth interface, as a scuba diver I took to them fairly easily but I would only recommend them in rare cases.

HarleyJoe wrote:I've Beta tested various interfaces since 1999 when I was diagnosed with OSA ( in the neighborhood of 50 different interfaces). Usually 3 nights is enough for me to tell if the interface will work for me. Personally, I shy away from fullface masks although I have tested 4 of them, the larger the area that has to be sealed the higher the likelihood of leaks, stick to nasal masks with a chin strap if necessary or nasal pillows. I've also tested 2 different models of the Oracle mouth interface, as a scuba diver I took to them fairly easily but I would only recommend them in rare cases.

I don't think a chin strap will work for me. Often when I lie down I feel like I have to open my mouth because otherwise I don't get enough air. I'm pretty sure I'd rip the chin strap off.

If you're not getting enough air, maybe your pressure settings are too low (or you keep hitting the ramp button - which starts off low - that takes you back to square one).

My 1st mask was the Quattro FX... it lasted about 2 weeks before I threw it across the room....

Mask #2 was the Respironic's Comfortgel Blue FFM.... it lasted 2 nights before it went flying.

My Quattro has been the perfect mask for me for more than a year now

"taming the mirage Quattro" guidance helped me tremendously!

Julie wrote:If you're not getting enough air, maybe your pressure settings are too low (or you keep hitting the ramp button - which starts off low - that takes you back to square one).

I've always had that problem, even before cpap.

It took me a week to get used to my Quattro. I too have trouble with the eye area. I found that not cranking
the knob all the way down is better. I put the machine on "mask fit" and turn the knob all the way out, then
slowly turn it back in until the leaks stop. I can tolerate the Quattro well but if I move around much while
sleeping it leaks. Sometimes I can just pull the mask out from my face then re-seat it and that solves the problem.
I'm trying out a Liberty now that totally solves the leak problem, however it is so uncomfortable I get up and switch
back to the Quattro in the middle of the night. I hope I can get used to the Liberty. I'm going to try for a couple weeks,
or I'll just have to live with the Quattro leaking a bit. At least I can keep that one on all night.