Full face mask headache

[PandyE]

Has anyone else had a blip in being able to use the masks?

I've had a cpap machine for a few yrs now - the first couple of nights using it was a nightmare but soon got used to it and use it every night. Felt great, no problems.

Recently though I am having a mare with the mask. I use a full face mask and I am just not finding them comfortable at all. I had a new one from the hospital in my 6 month check up in October (my old one was bruising my face) but its leaving deep marks on my face that take ages to fade in the mornings, and my eyes are swollen from leaking air. So gone back to my old mask and that is leaving bruising on my forehead and cant get comfy. I'm adjusting the straps slightly each night so I can get it just right. But it's doing my head in....both the old and new one.

I'm back to waking up in the mornings feeling like im more tired than when I went to sleep. It's like how I felt before I started using the cpap machine. I'm getting that I don't want to go to bed because I don't enjoy sleeping at the moment as its so uncomfy (hence still awake at 2am!). I drive around 350miles a week, so need to sort it out.

Anyone else had this - fine for a couple of years...then awful?

Right waffling on and trying to delay the inevitable of going to bed...

[Sleep2Snore]

Hi Pandy,
This is difficult, All you can do is experiment.
Have you put on any weight lately?
All you can do is try starting off with the straps looser and tighten them bit by bit until the leaks just stop. Do not over tighten the straps.
Also make sure your face is clean and that the seals on the mask are clean also. I know of one person that thought their face was bruised when it was in fact a bacterial infection. They were keeping clean and was cleaning the mask, but bacteria had got a hold and was affecting their skin.
If you have put on weight you may need the pressure tweaked if it is a CPAP machine you have, if it is a APAP this should not be a problem.
Contact your clinic and tell them you are suddenly feeling tired again.
As you need a full faced mask your options are a bit more limited, but there are other masks out there if none of the above works.
Wipe the mask seal every night with a baby wipe, non alcohol ones if you can get them, but I used normal ones without any problems. Even wiping your skin with them as well helps.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

[symmit]

Have you ever tried a nasal only mask? I rarely use the full one, only if i really can't breathe through my nose.

[Barely Awake]

I rarely use a full face mask, but when I do (colds) I almost have to say out loud to myself 'do not overtighten' as I adjust the straps. If you are bruising you surely are overtightening. I have not enough experience of full face to advise but the headgear stretches over time with most masks and the face seal will flatten a tad surely - so if you lose that spring it is bound to leak and is time for a new mask. If you have one that works for you ask for the same one. Any don't work for me my clinic let me have another. I would also try a Remzzzz liner and back the straps off. The temptation to keep tightening is always there but it doesn't solve problesm just creates others.
Best of luck.