Join Our Newsletter

New? Free Sign Up

Then check our Welcome Center to a Community Caring about Sleep Apnea diagnosis and Sleep Apnea treatment:

CPAP machines, Sleep Apnea surgery and dental appliances.

CPAP Supplies

Latest Activity

Steven B. Ronsen updated their profile
Mar 5
Dan Lyons updated their profile
Mar 7, 2022
99 replied to Mike's discussion SPO 7500 Users?
"please keep me updated about oximeters "
Dec 4, 2021
Stefan updated their profile
Sep 16, 2019
Profile IconBLev and bruce david joined SleepGuide
Aug 21, 2019
I need some help, please.  A few weeks ago I was given a full face mask to try after telling my pulmonologist that it appears my mouth is opening while I sleep, even though I use a chin strap.  I've been using a nasal mask.  There's no problem with air leakage.  However, I gave up with the full face mask because as soon as the pressure increased, the air would start leaking out.  It would seem to be okay at the beginning.  Before I could fall asleep, though, the pressure increased to the point where it would leak out in a large area.  I think the full face mask is the answer to the problem of having my mouth open, but I don't know how to keep it from leaking air.  I switched back to the nasal mask for now. 

Views: 22115

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

All these articles have prompted me to try a new mask.  I currently have the res-med full (nose and mouth) face mask.  I've decided to try the Hybrid Full Face  with Nasal Pillows and see what happens.  I hope it doesn't drive me nuts.

I can't get a decent seal on the res-med, and it wakes me up every night, after trying everything that has been mentioned in these posts.

Wish me luck. :)

i use two pillows one which is a memory foam wash face chin strap and dont sweat
I just tape my mouth shut. Use a 2" strip of Micropore tape and place a half inch strip of toilet paper(singe layer) half inch down so that you don't tape your lips. Works great. a pain but you have to do what you have to do. This also stops any leaks from my mustache. :)

Been through this and going through it with my wife right now.  Finding just the right mask can be a little troublesome - some folks - bingo! first mask AOK.  For others - a struggle.  I have heard about (but not yet seen) a lab/doctor that will increase the pressure slightly to overcome the oral leak problem?  [Not sure as I use a chin strap and auto machine]. 

I really believe that the full face mask problem is all about the right mask and the right fit.  Ultra Mirage or Quattro from ResMed are two of the top FF (Full Face) masks you could try.  For me they are way ahead of almost any other FF out there.  They tend to conform and adjust better especially at higher pressures.  I have seen the flopping open mouth cause problems with even the full face - Chin Strap AND FF Mask were in order.



Gary West said:

To Get Rid of Leaks,

 

Try laying on your back in bed turn your CPAP on, and with your face mask on.

 

Then hold on to the air hose with your hand (coming out of your face mask) back about 10 inches from your mask.

 

Move your hand that is holding the air tube about about 2  inches above your body, see if it leaks more or less, Then try moving the tube in your hand up an inch higher, you should be able to here if it leaks or not, raise the tube either up higher or down lower till most all leaks are gone

 

Do this test, it's very easy and quick

 

After I did this I was able to back off most of the strap pressure that made my face hurt while sleeping

 

It should Not Hurt to wear your face mask, If it does then there is a PROBLEM!!!!

 

The soft silicone rubber can distort very easily.

 

You are trying to take the weight of the tube off of your mask (That SOFT silicone rubber, cannot hold up the weight of the air hose).

 

Gary

Whar do I do to keep the hose at the right height?

First thing that comes to mind is maybe you need higher pressure? But of course, you need to ask your tech about that. 

 

I think full face masks would do the trick though, it offers less leakage and full coverage. If you're having air leaks, maybe you can use liners?

Update -- After playing phone tag for a few weeks with Total Sleep to schedule a mask fitting, she finally called when I was home.  I now have an appointment for the fitting next Tuesday.  My CPAP is not set at a certain pressure.  It adjusts automatically.  So when she told me she will set the pressure at the highest setting while we do the mask fitting, I wondered if that was a good idea.  I used to notate what my pressure level was each morning when I awoke.  It never got higher than 12, that I can recall.  Should I tell her not to set it above 12 or 13?  I don't know what the highest setting is that it can reach.  Certainly, I want a mask that won't leak when the pressure ramps up while I'm sleeping.  However, I don't want her to blast the pressure too high.  Any thoughts from anyone?
I would tell her as you suggested not to go over 12 or 13.  Good luck.

Darillyn Patterson said:
  It never got higher than 12, that I can recall.  Should I tell her not to set it above 12 or 13?  I don't know what the highest setting is that it can reach.  Certainly, I want a mask that won't leak when the pressure ramps up while I'm sleeping.  However, I don't want her to blast the pressure too high.  Any thoughts from anyone?
I wish I knew the answer too! Hoping to get some help from my pulmonologist next week.  My mouth just "puffs' open, I don't breathe through my mouth just the pressure forcing the air out.

Reply to Discussion

RSS

© 2024   Created by The SleepGuide Crew.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service