08-26-2017, 11:37 AM
Need Mask Help to Make It Through The Weekend!
Hello Folks,
My first time here, as a CPAP user of about 10 months. Never had a problem or needed more information. But now that I'm in need, I feel so fortunate to have discovered this forum. I believe my Mirage Quattro mask is malfunctioning, so if you think you can help, please read on. But first, I must describe my situation. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea ... snoring and apnea never bothered me, but it did disturb my wife. Since I adopted CPAP, problem solved! Happy wife, happy life. I cannot say that I feel amazingly better on CPAP therapy, but I do sleep very well and have grown used to it. On the occasions I have had to go without it for one reason or another, I miss it and sleep is not the same. I like the white noise. I guess the whole package is like a security blanket now. Due to my current mask issues, sleep is elusive! The knucklehead on the phone at my equipment supplier cannot grasp my description of the problem. His solution is to come into the office for a new mask fitting, first available appointment in two weeks. Unacceptable!!!! Since the mask worked great for 10 months, please explain to me how the fit is incorrect. I’m 55 and have not grown. The only identifiable change is a bump in pressure from 6.0 to 8.0 after a ramp up from 4.0, but that did not directly coincide with the mask issue.
Here’s what’s going on with the mask: the exhalation valve is flipping up and blocking the exhaust port (located at the 90 degree point on the mask’s swivel fitting)when I breathe out. The only exhaust means on this mask are that port, which I gather does most of the job, and a grid of tiny holes located over the nose bridge area. Inbound air flow is free and normal as I inhale. Then when I begin to exhale the valve hits the exhaust port hard, making a sudden “pop” that would wake the dead, making it virtually impossible to complete the exhale. If I control my output - very slow and low volume, I can establish a rhythm that does not cause the valve to pop, and I get to sleep. Inevitably, I am woken up later by the valve action and my struggles to exhale. Then getting back to sleep is questionable. I eventually cast the mask aside.
Like a lot of people, if something works, I have no need to understand the principles of its function. That’s the case with this exhalation valve. I gather it’s to stop back flow into the air supply line and prevent me from re-breathing my own carbon monoxide. The valve looks like it can stop air from going backwards to the tube, but it seems much more effective at blocking the exhaust port, the purpose of which eludes me. The real mystery is why the mask allowed me to breathe freely in both directions for nearly a year, and now suddenly restricts my exhale. To complicate matters, this issue started with my original mask. That’s when I grabbed a new mask off my shelf and tried it. Same symptoms now, no matter which mask I use. I haven’t changed any of my habits or the way the mask is fitted. I must emphasize that my start-up pressure of 4.0 has never changed, and the issue occurs at that flow rate as well as the full specified value - both when it was 6.0 and now at 8.0. So I have a hard time believing that the recent adjustment of the rate could be the culprit. This sucks so bad!!! I am getting little sleep, and I am not treating apnea much of the time I do sleep due to removing the mask. Being the weekend, my supplier is closed until Monday, when I will be marching into their office - appointment, be damned! I really need a resolution in order to sleep this weekend. Please help. FYI, I did droop a bobby pin through the exhaust port, effectively preventing the valve from blocking the port. But I could perceive negative effects on therapy pressure … not sure I’m correct about that. I decided not to try sleeping that way, but perhaps I should?
Thank you!
My first time here, as a CPAP user of about 10 months. Never had a problem or needed more information. But now that I'm in need, I feel so fortunate to have discovered this forum. I believe my Mirage Quattro mask is malfunctioning, so if you think you can help, please read on. But first, I must describe my situation. I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea ... snoring and apnea never bothered me, but it did disturb my wife. Since I adopted CPAP, problem solved! Happy wife, happy life. I cannot say that I feel amazingly better on CPAP therapy, but I do sleep very well and have grown used to it. On the occasions I have had to go without it for one reason or another, I miss it and sleep is not the same. I like the white noise. I guess the whole package is like a security blanket now. Due to my current mask issues, sleep is elusive! The knucklehead on the phone at my equipment supplier cannot grasp my description of the problem. His solution is to come into the office for a new mask fitting, first available appointment in two weeks. Unacceptable!!!! Since the mask worked great for 10 months, please explain to me how the fit is incorrect. I’m 55 and have not grown. The only identifiable change is a bump in pressure from 6.0 to 8.0 after a ramp up from 4.0, but that did not directly coincide with the mask issue.
Here’s what’s going on with the mask: the exhalation valve is flipping up and blocking the exhaust port (located at the 90 degree point on the mask’s swivel fitting)when I breathe out. The only exhaust means on this mask are that port, which I gather does most of the job, and a grid of tiny holes located over the nose bridge area. Inbound air flow is free and normal as I inhale. Then when I begin to exhale the valve hits the exhaust port hard, making a sudden “pop” that would wake the dead, making it virtually impossible to complete the exhale. If I control my output - very slow and low volume, I can establish a rhythm that does not cause the valve to pop, and I get to sleep. Inevitably, I am woken up later by the valve action and my struggles to exhale. Then getting back to sleep is questionable. I eventually cast the mask aside.
Like a lot of people, if something works, I have no need to understand the principles of its function. That’s the case with this exhalation valve. I gather it’s to stop back flow into the air supply line and prevent me from re-breathing my own carbon monoxide. The valve looks like it can stop air from going backwards to the tube, but it seems much more effective at blocking the exhaust port, the purpose of which eludes me. The real mystery is why the mask allowed me to breathe freely in both directions for nearly a year, and now suddenly restricts my exhale. To complicate matters, this issue started with my original mask. That’s when I grabbed a new mask off my shelf and tried it. Same symptoms now, no matter which mask I use. I haven’t changed any of my habits or the way the mask is fitted. I must emphasize that my start-up pressure of 4.0 has never changed, and the issue occurs at that flow rate as well as the full specified value - both when it was 6.0 and now at 8.0. So I have a hard time believing that the recent adjustment of the rate could be the culprit. This sucks so bad!!! I am getting little sleep, and I am not treating apnea much of the time I do sleep due to removing the mask. Being the weekend, my supplier is closed until Monday, when I will be marching into their office - appointment, be damned! I really need a resolution in order to sleep this weekend. Please help. FYI, I did droop a bobby pin through the exhaust port, effectively preventing the valve from blocking the port. But I could perceive negative effects on therapy pressure … not sure I’m correct about that. I decided not to try sleeping that way, but perhaps I should?
Thank you!
