Leaky Mask

[EwanJon]

Hello there,
I was hoping someone might have some tips for me?
I am a new user and have an Escape 2 machine and a medium Resmed full face mask.
I am having problems actually sleeping wearing it, but I am persisting and I know eventually I will do. Just a matter of time and perseverance.
Problem is, is that I mostly sleep on my back and I'm having problems with leaks. Initially it's OK. I adjust the straps whilst lying down to get a good fit and to start with its fine.
It's when I relax and start to fall asleep. I start getting major leaks which then keep me awake. The leaks occur around the bottom half of the mask.
Does anyone have any tips please that might help?
Many thanks,
Ewan

[ElleCee]

Hi Ewan,
I have the same machine as you and I am using the resmed Mirage Quattro mask. I am only in week 3 and am doing ok so far, a few hitches now and then. I was reccommended the RemZzzz which is like a cloth liner that you put inside the mask between your face and the seal. It makes it much mroe comfy and gets rid of most of, if not all, of the leaks.
You can get them from the resmed website and they are about £5 for a trial pack. The delivery is really quick.
They last quite a while as you don't need a new one every day. (I tried washing mine as well).
I wish you luck, let me know how you get on.

Good luck
Lorraine

[gvader]

Hi Ewan,

It takes quite a while before you get the straps set up just right for you. The best thing is to watch the fitting and cleaning guide that the manufacturers produce http://www.resmed.com/au/products/mi...ients&sec=true

Personally I go the other way, instead of the "light fitting hovercraft action approach" I have the mask nailed to my face as tight as I can get it and suffer almost no leakage no matter how much I move around in the night - the only down side of this are the starp marks on my cheeks in the morning.

It's horses for courses and you just need to keep at it until you settle on what works for you.

[EwanJon]

Hi Lorraine,

Many thanks for the reply. I will try those and see what happens.

Fingers crossed!!

Thanks,

Ewan

[EwanJon]

PS,

My mask is a RESMED Mirage Quattro Medium - Please can someone let me know where I can get the RemZzzz liners from and which ones I need??

I'm a bit rubbish with these things....

Many thanks,

Ewan

[gvader]

Hi Ewan,

Go to Intus's home page and look them up or just click here. http://www.eu-pap.co.uk/remzzzs-mask...e-quattro.html

[EwanJon]

Hi Gvader,
Many thanks for that, will order some.
Thanks,
Ewan

[MrJones]

They last quite a while as you don't need a new one every day. (I tried washing mine as well).

Hi ElleCee!

How long do they last before you need to try a new one?
Did the washing work well?

I'm considering ordering some but not keen on getting it if you can only use one at a time!

[ElleCee]

Hi,
The RemZzzz are ok for a few days, depends on how dirty you are!
They tend to stretch a bit but that is a good thing because the hole in the middle seems a little on the small side, although you can trim them if you wanted to. They don't fray or anything like that.
After a couple of days the edges curl up and they still do after washing, I did iron mine as well to try and get the edges straight.
Not sure James would approve as it is losng them money!
But it is good to know if you are running low and haven't reordered.
I have to say that after using them I would not use my mask without them. They make it far more comfortable, nicer to your skin and they stop a lot of leaks at the same time. Oh and less marks on your face in the mornings.
I would definitely reccommend them. I even told my sleep doctor about them and he wants to see what they are like so he can tell his other patients about them.
You only get one forehead one in the pack but it can be cut into 2 although in all honesty a piece of soft toilet paper folded in half would do the trick. You couldn't do that with the face one.
I hope that this is useful.
KR
Lorraine

[Simes2112]

I am with Gvader - after a couple of months of trying to get the recommended floating hovercraft approach to work and just getting more and more frustrated I now favour the clamp it to my face as tight as a duck's ass approach.

I also use Remzzzs and usually get 3 days on average out of each one. Very occasionally I only get one day out of them - but not often. They make the mask so much more comfortable for me and tend to reduce marking either side of my nose due to my clampette approach.

I also wear a lycra skull-cap thing which means that the forehead silicon rest of my mask does not come into direct contact with my skin - much more comfortable !!

[EwanJon]

My Remzzz arrived yesterday, fantastic service from Intus, so thanks for that.
Tried one last night and they are so much more comfortable. Well worth the money. I might get one of those lycra caps too.

I have my mask quite tight too as I find the leaks very frustrating.

I have still yet to actually sleep properly wearing the mask but I'm hoping this improves soon as I'm only getting a couple of hours sleep a night and that's bad sleep too.

Fingers crossed.

[ElleCee]

Hi Ewan,
I am glad you like them too, such a simple thing but it makes such a lot of difference.
I am sure we will both get some serious sleep one day, we just have to get beyond the teething problems. I cant wait till I don't spend the day yawning any more!
I also brought some mask wipes from same place, saves having to troll everything through to the bathroom each moorning. I clean the mask and top up humidifier while I am drinking my tea (hubby brings it to me in bed).

Lorraine

[Tigers Fan]

Bad idea!

Hi Lorraine

It is a very bad idea to top up your humidifier - you won't get concentrated water but you will get a concentration of dissolved solids and eventually un-dissolved solids - heavy limescale.

Much better to empty your humidifier, rub off soft scale if you can get to it, a good flush and shake, another flush for good measure and then fill up for the night.

TF

[EwanJon]

I forgot to add on my post that they really helped with the leak problem. I was skeptical that fabric would help solve a leak problem but they really do.

Now I just have to get to grips with sleeping with it on! I'm back at the hospital on Monday so will see if they have any ideas. I really want to get this nailed as Im desperate to drive again - I miss driving my car!!!

I wonder if my missus will bring me a brew in bed?

Lol.....

Thanks,

Ewan

[Biggles]

Hi EwanJon, I'm wondering if you might have more success with a different mask.. When I was being kitted up with my first mask, over 5 years ago, I was advised I ought to have a full face mask. The company didn't have any available and because I was desperate to 'get back on the road' I asked to try a nasal mask. Luckily for me it worked. I thought I was a mouth breather but I'm certainly not any more. I've been using the Respironics Comfort Curve for quite some time and love it. Well, I love the fact I now sleep and have a life. I do experience occasional leakages but overall everybody seems happy with my read outs.