Full-face mask leaks? Time for a CPAP mask fitting

Many of us with obstructive sleep apnea have been prescribed a CPAP with a face mask for treatment. It does work well for many people. However, not everyone wins all of the time, especially with air leaks on full-face style CPAP masks.  Air leaks, air leaks, air leaks.

• Air leaks blowing air in the eyes and causing us to wake up at night irritated or giving us itchy eyes in the morning
• Air leaks making a loud flapping/buzzing sound and waking us up several times throughout the night
• Air leaks reducing the level of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure the CPAP machine is supposed to give us, leaving us tired during the day and without the full benefits of treatment

I’ve been having these problems with my full-face mask more often lately than not. This means treatment is suboptimal.

What can one do in this situation when air leaks are a regularly disruptive occurrence? How can one beat the sheep and get the sleep?

Good and bad ideas:

• Good: Read your mask’s manual. Make sure it is adjusted and cleaned properly.
• Better: Try different adjustments and sleeping in different positions.  Call your medical provider for guidance.
• Bad: Wait 6 months until your next scheduled doctor’s appointment to mention it.  Hope it remedies itself before then.
• Worse: Drink more coffee to make up for the tiredness from lack of good sleep. The increased coffee then makes you more sensitive while sleeping, thereby creating a vicious cycle.
• Worst: Stop using the CPAP altogether.

My response to the situation (after I realized coffee was not the answer): call my local medical supply provider and arrange a fitting for a new mask of a different size or style.  I’m hoping this is the best solution.

My fitting was today.

Air leaks are one of the potential challenges of wearing a CPAP mask.  CPAP masks need to really fit right to avoid air leaks.   I believe each mask fits each individual slightly different.

This belief was confirmed at today’s fitting.  I tried 3 different masks.

The practitioner hooked up the CPAP at my pressure setting. Then, we worked together to adjust the angle settings and strap pressure of each mask.

The first two masks just kept leaking no matter what we tried. I was surprised. This was the same situation I was experiencing with the mask I had at home. My thoughts:

Why are these masks not fitting? Did my face change? What do I do now?

Luckily, the last mask I tried ended up fitting like a glove. No leaks. I was relieved.

The practitioner let the CPAP run for 5 minutes with me moving my head around and putting some simulated pillow pressure on it. It seemed to hold up.

Tonight will be the real test.

I think this goes to show that what works for one person may work entirely different for another. And there might just be a better solution for you out there. 

Maybe your solution will be a CPAP mask fitting.

Is your CPAP mask working?  Did you ever need to change masks?  Did you give up the CPAP and try one of the many other sleep apnea treatment alternatives?