Low AHI isn't the full story - or How do I control these leaks?

[mdh235]

For the first time ever I got a red frowny face on my readout.

My AHI was only 1.8 but because of all the leaks I didn't even make four hours of therapy last night and woke up with a bad headache. SWMBO said the leaks disturbed her sleep also.

When I was trialling machines I had a Quattro Air on loan - it was brilliant. When I purchased the machine they gave me a bright shiny new Quattro Air which has always leaked. I have a Pad-a-cheek liner for it, which initially helped the leaks, but now I'm getting results like the attached...

I'm also waking up with a really dry mouth and sore throat so I'm obviously mouth-breathing a lot. I tend to have a stuffy nose at the best of times and some trials with a nasal mask and pillows were a disaster.

Not sure where to go from here. The Quattro Air was the only mask that I really liked so I don't want to jump back on the merry-go-round of trialling masks. Maybe I'll just buy new cushions for the Air and see how that goes.

Change the cushion, if you haven't already. I resisted doing that on mine, because it looked fine, but a new one made the mask nearly leak free again.

I think the Quattro Air does need a cushion replacement at least every two months to keep its seal. I never had any luck using pad liners with this mask; they just make the leaking worse (although it is a quieter leak).

[DeepBreathing]

Might need to lose the goatee...

How dare you Sir! :grin: I've had a beard or goatee for 40 years and I'm not losing it now. No, I'll have to find a way around this, with dignity and facial hair intact.

With your VPAP settings, you have large pressure swings on each breathe so you will have a really tough time with leaks -- hope you can find a solution!

Thanks c0reDump. You're right, the pressure does fluctuate quite a bit. I'm thinking of raising the minimum a bit to reduce the fluctuations and that might also manage the flow limitations a bit better.

[DeepBreathing]

I had the Quattro Air and it leaked like a sieve. All of the full face masks leak. However, I am finding the F&P Simplus to be really great. I use a single strap ResMed chin strap to keep my jaw up and minimize mouth farts and jaw drops. I also use an eye mask. Both things seem to work like a Remzee and keep at least the perception of leaks way down and the numbers of leaks to an acceptable level.

Thanks Lukie - I'll have a look at the Simplus. I might also try a Remzee liner instead of the Pad-a-cheek, which is a bit fiddly.

[DeepBreathing]

Change the cushion, if you haven't already. I resisted doing that on mine, because it looked fine, but a new one made the mask nearly leak free again.

I think the Quattro Air does need a cushion replacement at least every two months to keep its seal. I never had any luck using pad liners with this mask; they just make the leaking worse (although it is a quieter leak).

Thanks mdh235. Yeah, first thing is to get a new cushion and see how that goes. I really don't want to be getting a new cushion every two months, though - they're not covered by insurance here so that is going to be a big drain.

[me50]

Change the cushion, if you haven't already. I resisted doing that on mine, because it looked fine, but a new one made the mask nearly leak free again.

I think the Quattro Air does need a cushion replacement at least every two months to keep its seal. I never had any luck using pad liners with this mask; they just make the leaking worse (although it is a quieter leak).

Thanks mdh235. Yeah, first thing is to get a new cushion and see how that goes. I really don't want to be getting a new cushion every two months, though - they're not covered by insurance here so that is going to be a big drain.

can you get the cushions from a US supplier and maybe buy 12 at a time (they should last a year then....or buy enough to make it worth your while with the fees that have to be paid). Just a thought.

[DeepBreathing]

can you get the cushions from a US supplier and maybe buy 12 at a time (they should last a year then....or buy enough to make it worth your while with the fees that have to be paid). Just a thought.

It works out about the same - the cost of one cushion plus freight is around the same cost as a cushion here - around $80. I presume if I buy a couple at once then the freight cost is defrayed over the whole lot, so that makes it a bit more economic.

I tell you it gives me the ^%&^%$ paying this "Australia tax" on everything.

[JJJ]

It works out about the same - the cost of one cushion plus freight is around the same cost as a cushion here - around $80. I presume if I buy a couple at once then the freight cost is defrayed over the whole lot, so that makes it a bit more economic.

I bought two cushions for my Wisp on US Amazon for $22, including shipping to my US address. That is less than my Medicare co-pay if I bought them from my DME.

[Sandra_ON]

I used the Quattro Air for 2 nights. I first night I had major leaks and got little sleep. I had a red unsmiley face on my S9 that morning. The next night the leaks were better but still did not get a good sleep and since the only reason I got the FFM was because I'm a mouth breather and I thought the FFM would cure that and it didn't, I stopped using it and went back to my nasal pillows (Airfit P10) with chin strap (tensor bandage).

[me50]

It works out about the same - the cost of one cushion plus freight is around the same cost as a cushion here - around $80. I presume if I buy a couple at once then the freight cost is defrayed over the whole lot, so that makes it a bit more economic.

I bought two cushions for my Wisp on US Amazon for $22, including shipping to my US address. That is less than my Medicare co-pay if I bought them from my DME.

My 2 cushions (medicare) cost me about $8.60 per month for my wisp.

[Dgsr]

I also wear a full beard and struggled with the quattro air.

I tried the quattro air for about a week, and it seemed to get worse by the day. It wasn't bad, comfort wise. I liked the weight. The issue was, no matter what I did, it would start leaking around my nose at night.

I ended up with a mirage quattro, and it fit similar, but more secure. The mirage version wasn't perfect either, so I ended up adding a pad-a-cheak mask liner (the remzzzs drove me nuts). This helped a good bit.

What really brought it all together for me though, was the pad-a-cheek anti-leak strap. It wraps around the mask and your head and allows you to put just a little more pressure on the front of the mask in just the right spot. I found this almost impossible using the 4 points of the headgear alone.