How To Properly Fit a Mask. From a Techs Point of View.

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 31, 2009 at 1:15pm

Kim, the fitting problem doesn't belong to you, it belongs to DME!!! That's their freakin' JOB and there are a gazillion masks and manufacturers out there. My DME guy fits me in a chair that's a recliner and then has me lie back and just relax while he fine-tunes it.

One thing I learned on SG was that Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs could be used to cushion noses, etc., and also to help provide a better seal. You can get them in drugstores--I get mine at Walgreen's but they're all over the place. Don't get the foam ones--you need the silicone ones so you can mold them to any shape you want..

I've never had a problem with the redness and soreness some people talk about till I got my new full face mask (it's my 4th mask!!). It's been leaving an increasingly sore, broken out place on my nose. SO, now I've been using 1/4 of a Mack's, flattened out and held firmly on my nose where the spot is--it holds all night and ends up sticking to the mask in the exact same place in the a.m. IT WORKS!! My nose is getting better every day. Plus you can use the same 1/4 (or however much you need--they come 4 to a package) for several nights. They last a long time which is good cost-wise.

I've also been told on here that the same silicone stuff can be used and shaped in all kinds of ways to close up leaking places in masks. I haven't had to use that yet, but I will if mine starts to leak. It's GREAT stuff. I think Judy may have been the one who told us about it in the first place.....

You might wanta give it a try--maybe it would make your mask work better for you. It may help with the red marks on your face too, 'cause if it stops leaks you wouldn't have to strap it on so tightly.....

Susan McCord :-)

kim smith said:

I have a problem, I have tried 3 different masks and the respiratory tech told me the problem is I am in between sizes, a small is too little and a medium is too big. Now, the only way that I truly feel there are no leaks is if I have the straps pulled as tight as possible, and I feel great when I wake up BUT, I do have a red mark over the bridge of my nose, and the impression of the mask reddens my skin....... any ideas ?

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 31, 2009 at 1:25pm

My Mirage Quattro is exactly the same way, Mary.

Susan McCord :-)

Mary Zimlich said:

Rock, Thanks,
Everything you said works for me but starting with the machine on. The pressure blows the soft part of my Mirage Quattro out so it's impossible to place down on my face. I usually get some leaks as the night goes on as I move around alot, but tightening the mask on the bottom always helps and is not uncomfortable. Maybe the headgear stretches out some during the night.

Anybody tried one of those special pillows? I'm wondering if I could make one myself.

Thanks,

Mary Zimlich

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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on October 31, 2009 at 1:27pm

I don't have any suggestions re: mask, Jeanne, but I've experienced that "hearing my pulse in my head" thing--it's annoying, and keeps me from sleeping when it happens. Thankfully not often....anyone know what causes that???

Susan McCord

Jeanne Berry said:

Thanks, this helped. the sleep center has sent me home with many models to try for a few nights. I have a TINY problem. I have tried 11 masks, and finally have one that seems to work. But, I hear my pulse all the time, except if my head is in one position all night. Then, my neck is sore. I asked my doc, and he said he had heard this complaint a few times before, and followed up with neurological studies, and nothing was ever found conclusive. The thump, thump, thump is annoying, but I can live with it. Any suggestions?

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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on October 31, 2009 at 1:28pm

Yeah, I'm a medium small, too and haven't found a comfortable mask in between yet. I use a bandaid over the bridge of my nose with one end folded over (a small bandaid), the pad does not irritate my skin. I also finally found out how to use the forehead adjuster on my Mirage Quattro full face mask and that took a lot of pressure off my nose.

Good luck,
Mary Zimlich

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Permalink Reply by Ms_ZZZZ on November 16, 2009 at 8:45pm

Thanks. This is very helpful for a newbie.
ZZZZZZZ

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Permalink Reply by Max on March 2, 2010 at 12:31pm

Thanks Rock. The only instruction I had on using my mask was in the sitting position ..... last night using your advice and also bits picked up on the discussion (eg silicone ear plugs) was the best I've had with my mask. Again many thanks

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Permalink Reply by Hope Sadler on March 27, 2010 at 11:41pm

How do you change the humidity level? I am really tired of waking up and drinking about 10 galons of water and still being thirsty

Rock Hinkle said:

I don't get to experience this much, but when I do have a pt that is a long time PAP user they usually don't make any adjustments. they put it on like it was a sock cap move it around a little and are ready to go. Also if my pt is a veteran I won't even try to fit the mask for them. this way I can see if they are doing it right, and also it show s me if they are having problems with leaks. I do however Talk to my vets about any problems they might be having. I will let them try on any mask they want to try. I try to show them newer versions of their own as well as the ones that might be different. I will usually run a vets titration with the humidity set at one. Almost everyone wakes up surprised that they are not stuffy like I am some kind of miracle worker. You would not believe how many vets don't know they can change the humidity level.

Judy said:

It so helps w/that first self-fitting to have a second pair of hands and who can see that the fit is balanced equally on both sides. But we CAN do it ourselves w/a little more time and patience (and sometimes cussing) as we try to get each side equal. Practice makes perfect. And when you get it exactly where you want it, where the fit is comfortable and leak free - don't make any further adjustment, take your mask off in a manner that doesn't affect the fitting you've made.

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Permalink Reply by Mike on March 28, 2010 at 12:13am

there should be a little dial on top of the humidifier chamber that adjusts it. just turn it higher..

Hope Sadler said:

How do you change the humidity level? I am really tired of waking up and drinking about 10 galons of water and still being thirsty

Rock Hinkle said:

I don't get to experience this much, but when I do have a pt that is a long time PAP user they usually don't make any adjustments. they put it on like it was a sock cap move it around a little and are ready to go. Also if my pt is a veteran I won't even try to fit the mask for them. this way I can see if they are doing it right, and also it show s me if they are having problems with leaks. I do however Talk to my vets about any problems they might be having. I will let them try on any mask they want to try. I try to show them newer versions of their own as well as the ones that might be different. I will usually run a vets titration with the humidity set at one. Almost everyone wakes up surprised that they are not stuffy like I am some kind of miracle worker. You would not believe how many vets don't know they can change the humidity level.

Judy said:

It so helps w/that first self-fitting to have a second pair of hands and who can see that the fit is balanced equally on both sides. But we CAN do it ourselves w/a little more time and patience (and sometimes cussing) as we try to get each side equal. Practice makes perfect. And when you get it exactly where you want it, where the fit is comfortable and leak free - don't make any further adjustment, take your mask off in a manner that doesn't affect the fitting you've made.

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Permalink Reply by Hope Sadler on April 5, 2010 at 7:52pm

I have always had that set at 5. I was just wondering if there was any way to get the machine to go higher or if there is something else that will help?

Mike said:

there should be a little dial on top of the humidifier chamber that adjusts it. just turn it higher..

Hope Sadler said:

How do you change the humidity level? I am really tired of waking up and drinking about 10 galons of water and still being thirsty

Rock Hinkle said:

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Permalink Reply by Mike on April 5, 2010 at 8:37pm

When you wake up is the humidifier chamber empty and do you use a room humidifier also? A room humidifier can help.

Hope Sadler said:

I have always had that set at 5. I was just wondering if there was any way to get the machine to go higher or if there is something else that will help?

Mike said:

there should be a little dial on top of the humidifier chamber that adjusts it. just turn it higher..

Hope Sadler said:

How do you change the humidity level? I am really tired of waking up and drinking about 10 galons of water and still being thirsty

Rock Hinkle said:

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Permalink Reply by Hope Sadler on April 22, 2010 at 7:39pm

no when i get up there is still water left in the chaimber. I cant use a room humidifier my Hubby says it messes his sinues up. any other ideas?

Mike said:

When you wake up is the humidifier chamber empty and do you use a room humidifier also? A room humidifier can help.

Hope Sadler said:

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Permalink Reply by Kathleen G on April 27, 2010 at 9:46pm

Thank you for going through the steps in order. This is what my RT has told me. He didn't tell me to turn the machine on while I was fitting the mask, however. Maybe that will help me out. Otherwise, you've done a terrific job of describing the process. I like to read before I go to sleep and at first, I'd totally wake myself up putting the mask on, but I'm getting better at it.

Now if you can figure out how a Repironics mask called Easy Fit manages to leave a lovely red mark on the bridge of my nose, you'd be my friend for life! I've tried tightening the upper straps, loosening the lower and vise-versa. My husband can't see where anything touches that area. My RT can't see where it hits but it continues to do it. Seriously, if you have any ideas, I would greatly appreciate it. I think I sleep so much better with the mask and yet my Pulmonologist kind of said, "Well, you take a lot of medication for pain and your pressure is only eight" like it's no big deal and maybe I don't need to wear a mask.

Last month, it was of the utmost importance that I wear the mask but now he's worried that my skin will break down. I've tried on about twenty-five masks and brought home six and this one seems the best. I'm also allergic to the outside of it but I think that's because my face is always swollen on the left side so that's the only place I have the problem.

Yes, I know you're envisioning this odd creature with a line of zits down her face and a very red nose. Shall I mention that I have Strabismus and it gets worse when I have pain? I know; I know; why do I care?

I must say, at least I don't fall asleep while I'm talking on the phone or driving so I'm making headway. The pain meds and the Apnea, I must mention, did not start at the same time and I don't think they're connected.

I've rambled on too long and I don't think this was the appropriate place so please forgive me and I repeat, Kudos to you for making the fitting of the mask sound so easy!

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