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Masks leaks
Just curious...do all masks have some leakage? Does anyone go all night long with no leaks or adjusting?
Views: 148
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by BeeAsleep on
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I use a Swift LT for Her nasal mask. My leak rate is 0.00 L/S MOST nights. My mask fits my face and nose shape exactly, so I think it is a matter of searching and searching to find a mask that fits your individual face as perfectly as possible. There are so many options that I think we just have to be willing to go on the big mask hunt until we get one that works. I don't think a zero leak rate each and every night is a possibility....but getting it low enough to let the therapy work is possible. Good luck to you on your search!
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Permalink Reply by Melinda Hertel on
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You should not need to keep adjusting your mask all night long. Maybe a couple of adjustments when you first put it on. But if leaks are waking you and you have to keep adjusting, you don't have a good fit.
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Permalink Reply by Kathleen Rentel on
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I have just purchased a Sleepweaver mask that is ALL fabric. It is made in PA. by a CPAP user. I have slept for 5 nights without waking up and without marks on my face from the plastic of other masks or the straps.
I have very sensitive skin and was always looking "red faced" for several hours after I awakened.
I just kept looking until I found something that worked!
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Permalink Reply by Saz RPSGT on
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In answer to the first question, yes.
There is an expected leak. This number (usually around 30 liters per minute) is expired air through the exhalation port. All masks have some type of exhalation port or you'd be rebreathing your expired air all night and you'd either wake up with a world class headache, or you wouldn't wake at all.
CPAP machines do compensate for the expected leaks and unexpected leaks up to a certain pressure.
Jason
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Permalink Reply by Julia on
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My problem is that my insurance deductible is so high, none of my cpap needs are covered and I have to pay out of pocket for everything. My doctor was good enough to give me two masks to try out and see how they worked. I can't afford to go window shopping until I find a good fit, however, I know I really need to find a good fit. I am getting ready to purchase the Swift LT and give that a try. I have adjusted really well to the cpap, however, one of the things that does wake me up is leaks (I am using the Opus 360 pillows). I have tried each size of the pillows and all of them cause me one kind of problem or another. The small fits one nostril fine and the other not at all (great, I may have mis-matched nostrils). The medium is pretty good, but tends to leak. The large hurts me no matter how much I try to adjust it and it makes my nose really sore. I have mostly used the medium but end up fidgeting with it all night long. The other mask the doctor gave me is a full face mask (Mirage Quatro) and it leaks like crazy and the claustrophobia factor is huge...so I guess the hunt will continue.
It is good to know that there is something out there for me to find that will have a very low leak rate.
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Permalink Reply by Kitzmet Footman on
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Are you a new patient of cpap? Resmed has a 30 day replacement program & which company are you with?
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Yes, however, the masks were given to me by the doctor, they were samples
Kitzmet Footman said:Are you a new patient of cpap? Resmed has a 30 day replacement program & which company are you with?
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Permalink Reply by Mike on
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have you tried a nasal mask (different from nasal pillows or a full face mask)? my wife has the mismatched nostrils problem, and no nasal pillow system worked for her as a result. but now she's using a nasal mask -- the ResMed Activa Nasal Mask -- and is getting pretty good results. I think the nasal mask might also leak less for you. Both my wife and I use the Activa and think highly of it. If you don't want to spend a lot, maybe you can track down a spare that someone's selling on ebay or craigslist that's never been used. just a crazy idea, but i know some people have a lot of luck with that approach.
Julia said:My problem is that my insurance deductible is so high, none of my cpap needs are covered and I have to pay out of pocket for everything. My doctor was good enough to give me two masks to try out and see how they worked. I can't afford to go window shopping until I find a good fit, however, I know I really need to find a good fit. I am getting ready to purchase the Swift LT and give that a try. I have adjusted really well to the cpap, however, one of the things that does wake me up is leaks (I am using the Opus 360 pillows). I have tried each size of the pillows and all of them cause me one kind of problem or another. The small fits one nostril fine and the other not at all (great, I may have mis-matched nostrils). The medium is pretty good, but tends to leak. The large hurts me no matter how much I try to adjust it and it makes my nose really sore. I have mostly used the medium but end up fidgeting with it all night long. The other mask the doctor gave me is a full face mask (Mirage Quatro) and it leaks like crazy and the claustrophobia factor is huge...so I guess the hunt will continue.
It is good to know that there is something out there for me to find that will have a very low leak rate.
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Permalink Reply by susan mccord on
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I'm on my third mask now. First one was okay, comfort-wise, for the most part but began leaking like crazy. Then I got a nasal pillow mask which I liked because I could read, etc. But it was hard to keep in place, so I got another one. Now I have a different brand, ResMed--can't remember the exact name but it's a nose mask similar to the first one, but with siiicone edges instead of gel. So far it fits great and stays in place without the headgear having to be so tight. I really like it so far. No leaks except out of my mouth. Don't know what THAT means.....I have a somewhat thin face and am hard to fit. I'm fortunate to be on Medicare with a good Medicare supplement policy, plus my DME is extremely helpful, maybe because he knows I'm not paying out of pocket!!. Anyway, I agree with others who say you just have to keep trying. I KNOW they have samples they can give you to try, at least my DME does. Don't give up!! There were many times I wanted to--glad I didn't.
I'm finally seeing my new sleep MD tomorrow--jeez, haven't seen a doctor since before I was referred for the first of two sleep studies in June. So I'm curious to see what that's gonna be like.....true to form in recent months, I lost all the registration paperwork--15 pages worth that I'd completed and failed to return--now it's disappeared as half my stuff does now. Lord, I'm still so tired--pretty sure my pressure isn't high enough but what do I know? Guess I'll find out tomorrow if these sleep docs are all they're cracked up to be!! They were really nice about my coming back in today to pick up this ream of paperwork so I can complete it. AGAIN!! Good grief, I'll be so happy to see my mind if it ever shows up again.....Onward and upward!!!
Susan McCord
Mike said:have you tried a nasal mask (different from nasal pillows or a full face mask)? my wife has the mismatched nostrils problem, and no nasal pillow system worked for her as a result. but now she's using a nasal mask -- the ResMed Activa Nasal Mask -- and is getting pretty good results. I think the nasal mask might also leak less for you. Both my wife and I use the Activa and think highly of it. If you don't want to spend a lot, maybe you can track down a spare that someone's selling on ebay or craigslist that's never been used. just a crazy idea, but i know some people have a lot of luck with that approach.
Julia said:My problem is that my insurance deductible is so high, none of my cpap needs are covered and I have to pay out of pocket for everything. My doctor was good enough to give me two masks to try out and see how they worked. I can't afford to go window shopping until I find a good fit, however, I know I really need to find a good fit. I am getting ready to purchase the Swift LT and give that a try. I have adjusted really well to the cpap, however, one of the things that does wake me up is leaks (I am using the Opus 360 pillows). I have tried each size of the pillows and all of them cause me one kind of problem or another. The small fits one nostril fine and the other not at all (great, I may have mis-matched nostrils). The medium is pretty good, but tends to leak. The large hurts me no matter how much I try to adjust it and it makes my nose really sore. I have mostly used the medium but end up fidgeting with it all night long. The other mask the doctor gave me is a full face mask (Mirage Quatro) and it leaks like crazy and the claustrophobia factor is huge...so I guess the hunt will continue.
It is good to know that there is something out there for me to find that will have a very low leak rate.
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I will check on Craigslist, it is against eBay's policy to seller cpap machines or masks, although you can sell parts.
I haven't tried a nose mask...I know I will eventually find what I need.
susan mccord said:I'm on my third mask now. First one was okay, comfort-wise, for the most part but began leaking like crazy. Then I got a nasal pillow mask which I liked because I could read, etc. But it was hard to keep in place, so I got another one. Now I have a different brand, ResMed--can't remember the exact name but it's a nose mask similar to the first one, but with siiicone edges instead of gel. So far it fits great and stays in place without the headgear having to be so tight. I really like it so far. No leaks except out of my mouth. Don't know what THAT means.....I have a somewhat thin face and am hard to fit. I'm fortunate to be on Medicare with a good Medicare supplement policy, plus my DME is extremely helpful, maybe because he knows I'm not paying out of pocket!!. Anyway, I agree with others who say you just have to keep trying. I KNOW they have samples they can give you to try, at least my DME does. Don't give up!! There were many times I wanted to--glad I didn't.
I'm finally seeing my new sleep MD tomorrow--jeez, haven't seen a doctor since before I was referred for the first of two sleep studies in June. So I'm curious to see what that's gonna be like.....true to form in recent months, I lost all the registration paperwork--15 pages worth that I'd completed and failed to return--now it's disappeared as half my stuff does now. Lord, I'm still so tired--pretty sure my pressure isn't high enough but what do I know? Guess I'll find out tomorrow if these sleep docs are all they're cracked up to be!! They were really nice about my coming back in today to pick up this ream of paperwork so I can complete it. AGAIN!! Good grief, I'll be so happy to see my mind if it ever shows up again.....Onward and upward!!!
Susan McCord
Mike said:have you tried a nasal mask (different from nasal pillows or a full face mask)? my wife has the mismatched nostrils problem, and no nasal pillow system worked for her as a result. but now she's using a nasal mask -- the ResMed Activa Nasal Mask -- and is getting pretty good results. I think the nasal mask might also leak less for you. Both my wife and I use the Activa and think highly of it. If you don't want to spend a lot, maybe you can track down a spare that someone's selling on ebay or craigslist that's never been used. just a crazy idea, but i know some people have a lot of luck with that approach.
Julia said:My problem is that my insurance deductible is so high, none of my cpap needs are covered and I have to pay out of pocket for everything. My doctor was good enough to give me two masks to try out and see how they worked. I can't afford to go window shopping until I find a good fit, however, I know I really need to find a good fit. I am getting ready to purchase the Swift LT and give that a try. I have adjusted really well to the cpap, however, one of the things that does wake me up is leaks (I am using the Opus 360 pillows). I have tried each size of the pillows and all of them cause me one kind of problem or another. The small fits one nostril fine and the other not at all (great, I may have mis-matched nostrils). The medium is pretty good, but tends to leak. The large hurts me no matter how much I try to adjust it and it makes my nose really sore. I have mostly used the medium but end up fidgeting with it all night long. The other mask the doctor gave me is a full face mask (Mirage Quatro) and it leaks like crazy and the claustrophobia factor is huge...so I guess the hunt will continue.
It is good to know that there is something out there for me to find that will have a very low leak rate.
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there's also cpapauction.com
Julia said:I will check on Craigslist, it is against eBay's policy to seller cpap machines or masks, although you can sell parts.
I haven't tried a nose mask...I know I will eventually find what I need.
susan mccord said:I'm on my third mask now. First one was okay, comfort-wise, for the most part but began leaking like crazy. Then I got a nasal pillow mask which I liked because I could read, etc. But it was hard to keep in place, so I got another one. Now I have a different brand, ResMed--can't remember the exact name but it's a nose mask similar to the first one, but with siiicone edges instead of gel. So far it fits great and stays in place without the headgear having to be so tight. I really like it so far. No leaks except out of my mouth. Don't know what THAT means.....I have a somewhat thin face and am hard to fit. I'm fortunate to be on Medicare with a good Medicare supplement policy, plus my DME is extremely helpful, maybe because he knows I'm not paying out of pocket!!. Anyway, I agree with others who say you just have to keep trying. I KNOW they have samples they can give you to try, at least my DME does. Don't give up!! There were many times I wanted to--glad I didn't.
I'm finally seeing my new sleep MD tomorrow--jeez, haven't seen a doctor since before I was referred for the first of two sleep studies in June. So I'm curious to see what that's gonna be like.....true to form in recent months, I lost all the registration paperwork--15 pages worth that I'd completed and failed to return--now it's disappeared as half my stuff does now. Lord, I'm still so tired--pretty sure my pressure isn't high enough but what do I know? Guess I'll find out tomorrow if these sleep docs are all they're cracked up to be!! They were really nice about my coming back in today to pick up this ream of paperwork so I can complete it. AGAIN!! Good grief, I'll be so happy to see my mind if it ever shows up again.....Onward and upward!!!
Susan McCord
Mike said:have you tried a nasal mask (different from nasal pillows or a full face mask)? my wife has the mismatched nostrils problem, and no nasal pillow system worked for her as a result. but now she's using a nasal mask -- the ResMed Activa Nasal Mask -- and is getting pretty good results. I think the nasal mask might also leak less for you. Both my wife and I use the Activa and think highly of it. If you don't want to spend a lot, maybe you can track down a spare that someone's selling on ebay or craigslist that's never been used. just a crazy idea, but i know some people have a lot of luck with that approach.
Julia said:My problem is that my insurance deductible is so high, none of my cpap needs are covered and I have to pay out of pocket for everything. My doctor was good enough to give me two masks to try out and see how they worked. I can't afford to go window shopping until I find a good fit, however, I know I really need to find a good fit. I am getting ready to purchase the Swift LT and give that a try. I have adjusted really well to the cpap, however, one of the things that does wake me up is leaks (I am using the Opus 360 pillows). I have tried each size of the pillows and all of them cause me one kind of problem or another. The small fits one nostril fine and the other not at all (great, I may have mis-matched nostrils). The medium is pretty good, but tends to leak. The large hurts me no matter how much I try to adjust it and it makes my nose really sore. I have mostly used the medium but end up fidgeting with it all night long. The other mask the doctor gave me is a full face mask (Mirage Quatro) and it leaks like crazy and the claustrophobia factor is huge...so I guess the hunt will continue.
It is good to know that there is something out there for me to find that will have a very low leak rate.
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