High Pressure Mask

[badgerwooz]

Hello,

I have the Resmed Quattro and am having problems with it leaving a red irritating mark on the top of my nose every morning. My min pressure is 16.5 so I have to have it pretty tight for no leakage. Does anyone have suggestions on a better mask for high pressure or something I can do to prevent the red mark in the first place.

Thanks in advance.
Any help greatly appreciated.

[Gasper62]

You might try a Gecko silicone gel pad/cushion, they helped me several times when my nose bridge got sore. Good luck.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Gecko-Nasal-Pad.html

[ChicagoGranny]

I have to have it pretty tight for no leakage.

Here are some tips to prevent leak -

To reduce unintentional mask leak -

- Make sure the mask is fitted properly. (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure the headgear is adjusted properly (See mask manufacturer's video.)

- Make sure to use good hose management - the hose should not pull on the mask. Notice how your hose is positioned between machine and mask. It should be positioned to minimize any pull on the mask. Hose management is an individual practice. How it is done depends on the mask, the position of the machine, your sleeping position and other factors specific to the individual.

- If you still have problems, learn from the forum what mask liners are available.

- If your mask still has excessive leak, try other masks. Many people report trying several masks before they find one that works well for them.

Note: Links to just about all of the mask manufacturers' instructional videos can be found on the forum host's website - https://www.cpap.com/cpap-masks.php

Good luck,

ChicagoGranny

Does anyone have suggestions on a better mask for high pressure

My pressures are high, and I use this mask which does not touch the bridge of the nose - https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

[badgerwooz]

That's the mask my pulmonologist wanted me to get but the TECH steered me away from it and says there are issues with pressures over 10. Like I said my minimum is 16.5.

[DoninOrlando]

I use the Mirage Quattro and my pressure range is 18-20. No leak problems. I use the Pad-A-Cheek mask liners. Mask fit is firm but loose enough to easily get a finger under to scratch my nose. Is it possible you sleep on your back? It is much harder to control leaks on back so I always sleep on my sides. I sleep near the edge of the pillow but with mask partially buried in pillow to hold it in place. It is close enough to the edge to not block exhaust and air not hitting pillow to make noise either. Pad-A-Cheek liners made a huge difference for me in comfort and controlling leaks.

[ywp]

after ten years of leaks and sore nose, the one that finally worked for me was f&p simplex. with a cloth liner. thier nose bridge design takes off the pressure. I am running bipap 15 17. Guess everyone is different?

[Sheffey]

That's the mask my pulmonologist wanted me to get but the TECH steered me away from it and says there are issues with pressures over 10. Like I said my minimum is 16.5.

WTH does the tech get this information?

I hit 18 cm every night and 20 a few nights per week with the Innomed Hybrid. No leaks. I believe this mask has been available for nearly ten years, and I have used it every night. I will not go back to the traditional FFMs.

[badgerwooz]

Thanks so much! I'm making another appointment and will get the mask the doctor recommended. I think he steered me away because they may not have had any in stock. Nice customer service. Thanks again!

[Julie]

You shouldn't overtighten the mask in any case - the cushion needs to inflate to do its job, not get squished down. If the mask leaks, either get another size, a different mask, or fiddle with adjustments, but it should hover, not dig in.

[badgerwooz]

I believe the Amara View is the one the doctor recommended. Does that make a difference?

[Okie bipap]

My pressure is also high (20 - 25 cm H2O), and I have used the F&P Simplus in the past. To prevent nose sores, I would put a small piece of moleskin on my nose every night. Now, I use the Amara View mask with a cloth liner I made out of an old tee shirt and it works fine. I have no more sore spots on my nose.

[Julie]

No mask should be overtightened to work effectively.

[chunkyfrog]

Cpap should never hurt.

[Janknitz]

See my blog for Taming the Mirage Quattro. Not 100% perfect, but it does help.

IMHO, the higher the pressure, the better off you are with nasal pillows because the pressure helps push the small surface area firmly against the opening of the nostrils (NOT IN them) for a good seal. The larger the surface area, the more difficult it is to get a good seal, and the Quattro has a very big surface area. Plus you don't tend to move your nose around very much, but the rest of the face is quite mobile during sleep.

Some DME's will tell people that nasal pillows cannot be used at higher pressures, but that's poppycock. The big question is whether you can avoid mouth breathing so that nasal pillows are effective.

[AcedDublB]

Well then what is recommended for high pressure users that also mouth breath.

I currently have an Amara View and like it very much BUT my leak rate is way too high and I need to look for a better alternative.

The Amara View fits perfectly when I put it on and in process of falling asleep but when I look at daily results the leaks are very high. Quite confusing.

I am also a back sleeper and have been advised to sleep on my side.

My experience with the Amara View seems to be that it leaks when I am on my side due to uneven pressure even though I hang my head off a firm foam pillow.

What do you suggest.

The Innomed RespCare Hybrid gets mixed reviews, either love it or hate it.