CPAP standing or falling by state of nose *ADVICE NEEDED!!!*

Bama Rambler wrote:I am a mouth breather, FFM user and a dedicated side sleeper.
I have been through a good number of masks and have found a few that somewhat work.
The first one I got was the Quattro Mirage and it worked pretty well except for the fact that it rides up on my face during the night and that causes leaks in my eyes.
Then I found the Flexifit 431. It has a chin ledge and that completely stops the riding up on the face, however it still leaks a little under the chin at times when I turn from side to side.
I am currently using the F&P Simplus and it doesn't ride up and my leak line is almost completely straight.
Out of all the masks I've tried I'd recommend those three with the Simplus being my favorite.

I can sleep on my side using any of the above masks and I'm a very active sleeper.

One of the best things I've found for the dry mouth is to drink a large glass of water just before bed. I can tell a big difference on the days when I drink the water and when I don't.

Bama -- you wrote exactly what my experience has been to a tee!! When I read your post I thought i was reading my own cpap/mask autobiography. I realize all faces are not the same, but I do think the OP might benefit from trying a few different FFM models, and or look into a chin strap as some earlier posts have suggested. Nasal problems, structural or allergic are a big issue, but a proper fitting FFM should allow the user to mouth breath with no big issues.

I Love my F&P Simplus ;+)

Interesting questions b/c I've had these issues in the past and if you don't fix these things you will be unable to comply comfortably, as you have so vividly shown yourself.
This whole week I had a cold and could not sleep through my nose while using therapy. So this is my advise...
1) Try a different mask. You should be able to sleep on your side without leaks. I tried the mask you're using and experienced nothing but leaks. There are exchange websites where you can purchase lightly used masks inexpensively if you would like to try them out. I recommend checking out the simplus. I've been mouthbreathing all week and sleeping on my side and my leak lines are zero the majority of the nights. That said, masks that work for someone are hated by others.
2) Try a pillow that allows for you to sleep on the side with minimum pillow "push" on the mask. Pugsy recommended the cpap pillow (used to be called Regenesis buckwheat pillow) and so far I'm loving it and makes side sleeping much more comfortable and less prone to leaks. You can private message me for more details.
Lastly, my doctor has a video series on steps you should follow to clear your nasal passages and make cpap therapy much better to deal with. I highly recommend you take some time and watch it. It's very very informative and can make your issues much easier to handle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_dCsyo ... xg&index=4
I hope this helps!