Help! Help! My Mask Is Farting!

Yesterday, my respiratory therapist dropped off my new FlexFit 431 mask. I changed because my nasal congestion was making the nasal mask unworkable, even though I was getting some good numbers with it. I got the mask fitted last night without major leakage and went to sleep. Before drifting off, I noticed how nice the mask seemed to fit and how comfortable it was. I didn't have any of the claustrophobic feeling that I had with the nasal mask. At about 2:30 A.M., I was woken up by this incredibly loud farting noise. It took me a couple of minutes to realize that the sound was coming from my mask against my cheek. I was able to readjust the mask and go back to sleep, but the problem returned a couple of more times during the night. Has anybody else experienced this with this type of mask and what solutions have you found? (No jokes about anti-gas pills in the humidifier, please. )

During the night your facial muscles relax and the mask feels loose. Be sure that you clean your face well to get rid of facial oils before masking up. That will help the mask adhere to your face better,

Thanks, LSAT. That makes a lot of sense.

I have also been awakened by the 'music of cheese'.
Pad a cheek has a liner for the Forma;
I need to ask Karen if it will work for my hubby's 431 or my 432.
If so, I plan on ordering one when my flex account is reloaded.

Thanks, CF, for your observation. I spoke with my RT this morning and she said that I'm probably not getting a good seal due to the large size of my head. (I need all that space to store all that I know! )

At any rate, I'm going to try some different masks over the next week or so.

The search for the perfect mask continues.

Did the RT fit the mask on you while you were laying down? I find that fitting while laying down produces better results since the shape of your facial features changes when you lay down. I could only get a good seal on my FFM if I adjust it while I am laying down.

Be sure you're not subconsciously tensing up and pushing your face into the mask when you put it on at night. When you put the mask on and adjust it, try to relax or pull back on your face to make the mask leak, then adjust the mask to fix it.

You can also make a liner out of jersey cotton or flannel. Trace around the outside of the mask, adding about an inch all around. Then cut a hole for your mouth and nose. The mask may still leak a bit, but not as badly, and the fabric prevents the fart noises.

Fabric really does help; I made a temprary mask panty, using a scrap of lingerie cotton and an sili band.
Really made my zzz-mask feel better. (the one without the replaceable cushion)
It absorbs sweat (or pond water) and warms it up too.

I see you've gotten some great advice. All that I might add are three sites where you might be able to locate mask liners. I do not know if they have any that will fit your mask, but it's worth the try:

http://www.padacheek.com/
http://www.remzzzs.com/Default.asp
http://quietusliners.com/

I've been having alot of trouble with the same thing. I get the mask all setup and fitted but then about the time I get good and asleep I get the farting. I'm going to have to try some of these ideas that have been tossed out and see if it helps. I never really thought to try laying down when I put the mask on. Thanks everyone from another fart sufferer.

Puswart wrote:I've been having alot of trouble with the same thing. I get the mask all setup and fitted but then about the time I get good and asleep I get the farting. I'm going to have to try some of these ideas that have been tossed out and see if it helps. I never really thought to try laying down when I put the mask on. Thanks everyone from another fart sufferer.

Even laying down does not help me. It's just that when I sleep my muscles relax MUCH more than when awake. Of course, folks with an ASV unit have the problem of wildly swinging pressures as those apneas occur. And for me that's just as soon as I start to fall asleep. I stop breathing as I fall asleep. So, the pressure ramps up to about 25cm H2O !! I am not aware of any mask that will not leak at that pressure. And a relaxed face only makes matters worse.

SS,
Much good advice here. As I was reading JohnFisher's post, I started thinking if perhaps it might be related to pressure. Auto machines like you have can occasionally develop a mind of their own and go a little bonkers...usually in the upward direction. so...

What is your pressure setting? Might be a case of mild runaway (how's that for an oxymoron). Just one other possibility I'll throw in the mix.
J

jamiswolf wrote:SS,
Much good advice here. As I was reading JohnFisher's post, I started thinking if perhaps it might be related to pressure. Auto machines like you have can occasionally develop a mind of their own and go a little bonkers...usually in the upward direction. so...

What is your pressure setting? Might be a case of mild runaway (how's that for an oxymoron). Just one other possibility I'll throw in the mix.
J

Even if the machine isn't "running away", if you mask up when you start the machine, when you go to sleep, you may get apneas and increase the pressure. Are you using the "mask fit" function on the S9 machine when you mask up?