taping and nasal masks, need opinions

[woodmizer5]

Hi all; I have been trying to find a mask that I can live with since June 2010, and still have not found a good fit. I ended up with the Quattro Fx, but after fighting it for several months, I have gone back to the opus 360.
I am going to Dr's. to try different masks shortly, so can anyone recommend a few different nasal masks to try fairly similar to the opus?
And the second thing is taping. My prescribed inspiration pressure is 18, although I have been dropping it , and am at 13 now. About 3 to 4 a.m the pressure finally works and finds a hole between skin and tape. I am using the 2" series 800 blue tape that was recommended on site, and when that didn't work I started putting a 1" piece of paper tape across lips, then a wider piece of blue tape over it. It worked a little better, but not much.
What a freak show I am at night. I really need to get my leaks under control, so I can get some consistent readings at night.
Any help will be deeply appreciated.
Don

[archangle]

Have you considered an oral or hybrid mask?

What was your problem with the Quattro?

[Pugsy]

I currently use the Swift FX nasal pillow. I have tried the Opus 360 and they are very similar. The Opus has a bit "firmer" plastic side cheek strap thing. I like the softer silicone side cheek strap in the Swift FX.
I also used to use the Swift LT nasal pillow. It has a bit more firmer side cheek strap things than the Opus does. I used it until the Swift FX was released. My only problem with the Opus was really the head gear. I couldn't seem to get it stable. It was all over the place. I also prefer to have my mask hang loose and not be routed over my head. Just my preference, I use a lot of humidity and I get rain out in the nasal pillow that runs back up my nose if I have the hose and mask routed over my head.

You can click on the link in my profile to see the Swift FX.

I also used to tape my mouth. I used 2 inch blue painters tape. Sometimes it did come loose from mouth moisture. After a couple of months I got lazy and kept "forgetting" to tape and discovered that my leaks from possible mouth opening were essentially gone. I no longer had dry mouth so I guess I had been mouth breathing out of need for air prior to cpap treatment and with effective treatment my body learned that it didn't have to mouth breathe. I do not have any nasal congestion issues though. I breathe fine during the day through my nose only. I found that more moisture actually helped me have a clearer nose. Now if you have other physical issues with nasal cavity or nasal passages that is a different story.

[squid13]

When I taped I used 2" medical paper tape and had no problem with it coming loose. Just be sure to fold both ends over a little to give you something to grab to pull off, also use chap stick on your lips before you tape so it doesn't stick to your lips.

[woodmizer5]

Archangel: I don't know of the hybrid or oral masks. I will check into them, and on the Quattro Fx , it would always leak when i would fall asleep and the mouth would drop open. I haven't found a chin strap to hold, and am tired of all the straps when trying one. They say to wear it loose, and I have tried it every way I could think of.

Pugsy, the swift fx and lt look interesting. I have some trouble with congestion of the nose at times, and that worries me about taping, but I need to get the leaks out and get a few good nights sleep.
On Oct. 30 2011, I had a mid brain stroke that all the tests have not given me the answer to why it came. I am wondering if the sleep apnea had something to do with it. Luckily only a little memory loss, and no other lasting symptoms.

[Pugsy]

the swift fx and lt look interesting. I have some trouble with congestion of the nose at times, and that worries me about taping,

There is a mask trial available that won't break your wallet. It is a popular mask so there may be a waiting list. Some people have found that nasal congestion is actually relieved by the moisturized air going directly to the nasal passages. They say they often breathe better with the machine than without.
It all depends on the person though.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html

If taping scares you then the only choice would be a full face mask unless you can keep your mouth shut.
You might look at the Innomed/Respcare Hybrid or the ResMed Mirage Liberty..both are similar.
You might look at the Oracle but since it involves zero nose breathing that would bug me more than taping. Yuck.

[archangle]

Archangel: I don't know of the hybrid or oral masks.

Oral masks fit over just your mouth. Or go into your mouth like a SCUBA mouthpiece.

Hybrid masks are an oral mask plus nasal pillows so you breathe through both the mouth and nose. They're sort of like full face mask, but a little less intrusive and don't have to fit over such a large area.

Check the oral and hybrid masks on cpap.com.

[happysleeper]

Hi woodmizer5,

About 3 to 4 a.m the pressure finally works and finds a hole between skin and tape.

I've had good luck stopping the leaking using poligrip strips. They seal the lips gently and well, which stops that "3 AM leak creep". But the strips don't have much tensile strength to stop the jaw from dropping. So you add a vertical piece of tape with a tab on it, which minimizes tape. The combo seals, for me, all night.

Here's info on the CPAP Wicki about it: wiki/index.php/CPAP_FAQs#How_do_I_stop_these_leaks.3F

And a couple of comments by users: chunkyfrog: viewtopic/t73232/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=73 ... ps#p672960

and Rosiemoto: viewtopic/t73232/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=61 ... ps#p577897

If you are worried about asphyxia if the power goes out, since the nasal pillows don't have an anti-asphyxia valve, you can buy a Power Out alarm on line that plugs into your wall.

Good luck, Happy Sleeper