F & P FlexiFit HC431 Mask Problems

Do anyone else use this mask? I just got this mask last week and my leak rate has dropped compared to my Mirage Quattro. The problem is that it leaves the bridge of my nose so sore and the straps leave marks on the sides of my face. I don't know what to do to fix these problems. The Quattro works good (no sore nose or strap marks) but it tends to leak if I turn on my side. I wish I could take the headgear from the Quattro and put onto the Flexifit but that will not work since the connections on the masks are different.

Any suggestions?

You have to change the clips also but I was able to put the Quattro headgear on the 431. In fact, that improved my leak rate. Sounds to me like you may have your upper straps a bit too tight causing the soreness.

You might try the other seals that came with your 431 to see if one works better for you than the one you're using now. My RT was sure I would need a medium, but I really need a large because my face is long and I have a bump on my nose. I had the same sore on the bridge of my nose that you describe, so I'd try the next larger size. If you're already using the large, that will be a problem....

Hang in there, you'll find a mask and headgear combo that works for you yet!

Karen, a forum member, makes some nifty covers for several of the masks. These are used over the straps and make them less irritating. She also has some covers for the seals of some of the masks.

Look for Pad A Cheeks.

I just got my Flexifit 431 yesterday and wore it last night. I definitely will need Padacheeks or something similar for the top nose/forehead piece. I may also use my old Comfortgel straps on the Flexifit, too.

Hey OP -

Remember that each mask has its own individual vent flow rate - the amount of air it expels naturally to flush out your CO2. Just because your leak rate is lower doesn't mean you're having less leak over and above your mask's vent flow rate. Search this forum for "vent flow rate" - there's a list somewhere of common masks and what their VFRs are.

Also - I personally hated the 431. There are lots of members here who love it - but it absolutely ATE my nose, and my cheeks - it really just completely ripped up my face. And I could never get it to not leak while I slept. I changed over to the UltraMirageFFM, which was the best thing I ever did - well, at least until I switched to the Headrest and taping my mouth shut.

The 431 has been my first and only mask. After 2-1/2 months or so, I still don't have leakage under control (and I'm not sure why that is, I'm still experimenting -- leaks tend to go down when I shave my beard all the way down, and go up when my beard is longer -- position, mask and facial cleanliness, etc, I'm looking at everything I can think of) and have the same kind of redness/irritation on my nose bridge. I seem to be adjusting to it, I think.

I did learn early on the tightening the mask is not good. The 431 depends on a certain amount of looseness so that the seal will inflate, but not so loose there are leaks there.

My DME-R/T said "most problems with mask leaks can be eliminated with the lower straps", and I've pretty much been finding that true with this mask. My upper straps aren't so tight, reducing the stress on my nose bridge, and the lower straps are tightened a bit so leaks are reduced. I've also noticed, I think, a tendency for the neoprene straps to stretch a little over time, so that they need periodic tightening.

Along the way, I tried the small and the large inserts, but I reverted back to the medium. It has been the best fit for me.

For me, the mask has been okay, but I don't know if another FFM would be better. I'm hoping that after a few months, the DME-R/T will give me the option of trying a new mask while retaining the old one.

I had a bad night last night. Before we went to bed I spent 30 minutes adjusting all the straps by making them really loose and turning on my CPAP machine. Of course it leaked like crazy then I slowly started tightening the straps until the leaks stopped. I was awake too many times last night readjusting the mask because it was moving around and still leaking. I kept tightening the straps and now I have strap marks on both sides of my face and my nose looks like it has been through a meat grinder.

I will be calling my RT later to see what they suggest.

The Flexifit tends to move around and leak allot if it doesn't have help(IMO). My thought is that you've tightened the straps to tight trying to correct this. Try loosening the straps a little and add a "RG Strap" just above the air intake. A RG strap is just a panty hose leg tied or sewn so it fits snugly (just gentle pressure). Slip it around the mask and head positioning it just above the air intake (below the exhaust) I prefer girls cotton tights because they don't suffer as much from usage stretch. This will help stabilize the mask and keep it from "popping" leaks.

My secondary thought was the same as CorgiGirl, try the next seal size down.