Resmed F40 thoughts and advice needed

[Columbiabill]

Due to being a mouth breather and sore nostrils from my Solo Nasal Pillow Mask my sleep doctor recommended the F40 on my annual visit.  The place where I pick up my supplies recommended it as well.  I have used it for two nights.  Before starting I did use a #3 clipper and trimmed my beard to help with any seal issues. 
Night 1 LPM was 43.2 and Night 2 LPM was 26.4. Events have been 3.5 and 4.5.  I am usually a 2 or less with nasal pillows.  
I have made adjustments two days in a row to the mask by laying down, and dropping my jaw (which I do during sleep) to simulate what I really do while sleeping in order to tighten the mask to the right fit.  
I will say the mask is much more comfortable than other FFM that I have used.  F20, Evora FFM etc.  
Other than the leaks, my only complaint is that my mouth is extremely dry.  I will be taking the climant control off of auto and moving my temp down to 75 and the humidity level up to a 5 to see if that helps.  
Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

[charlie*M]

I've used an F40 since I started therapy, almost a year, but now I'm four days into trying to move to the P10 nasal pillow mask.

I was having leakage with the F40 as well.  It was never fully resolved (hence my trying the P10), but it was significantly improved when I reduced the max pressure from 12 down to 10.  For me, the change improved my sleep, both AHI and arousals from the leaks.

With the F40, I immediately felt the minimum pressure when starting the machine, but with the P10 nasal mask the pressure is not as noticeable.  I feel the nasal pillows are more restrictive than the F40, at the same pressure.  So, you may be able to reduce your upper pressure limit to reduce your leaks, but monitor your results to make sure you are still getting good therapy.  After a few weeks to get a baseline with the P10, I will probably try to go back up in max pressure due to the more restrictive nasal pillows.

Reducing leaks should also help with dry mouth.

[Columbiabill]

I've used an F40 since I started therapy, almost a year, but now I'm four days into trying to move to the P10 nasal pillow mask.

I was having leakage with the F40 as well.  It was never fully resolved (hence my trying the P10), but it was significantly improved when I reduced the max pressure from 12 down to 10.  For me, the change improved my sleep, both AHI and arousals from the leaks.

With the F40, I immediately felt the minimum pressure when starting the machine, but with the P10 nasal mask the pressure is not as noticeable.  I feel the nasal pillows are more restrictive than the F40, at the same pressure.  So, you may be able to reduce your upper pressure limit to reduce your leaks, but monitor your results to make sure you are still getting good therapy.  After a few weeks to get a baseline with the P10, I will probably try to go back up in max pressure due to the more restrictive nasal pillows.

Reducing leaks should also help with dry mouth.

Great advice.  I will take the top end pressure down to see how that works.  Your probably right in that when my system ramps up to my high end of close to 13 that it breaks the seal, causing leaks.  
I am sure that having more apneas is due to the leaking of the mask as well.

[jdougc]

Can you post a chart or 2?
The leaks are probably what contribute to the dry mouth, imo
Also you may need a soft cervical collar to minimize the jaw drop or a chin strap that pulls the jaw up, not back, which would worse the apnea.
Adjusting the F40 mask as you did, with the jaw drop, might make the F40 too tight, which is counterintuitive, causing more leaks. 
This mask should be a little loose and the machine inflates the mask, sealing it, If you experience leaks, gently tighten the straps.
I could never get the comfortable F40 not to leak and I move to nasal masks. 
Did you use lanolin to protect your nostrils?
Did you use mouth tape? I use a 2x5 inch strip.
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[Big Guy]

I'm a hard-core side sleeper. That being the case, I experience leaks often enough. I have an AirFit F40 and it did okay. I was using an AirFit F30 and was hoping that maybe the F40 would be a tad bit better. When I do have a leak, I automatically move or reach up with my hand to readjust the mask. I don't lose much, if any, sleep over it.

It was different, but not any better that the F30. I have a mustache, but no beard. I would imagine that a beard would be a real challenge in regards to getting a mask to seal properly. 

[super7pilot]

Unless one goes to an ‘air touch’ foam seal mask. Beards are very much an issue for proper sealing.

I was one of the unfortunate folks that had leaks with the F40 without a beard. So moved to the P10.