[Equipment] Losing mask seal during the night

[Jama1219]

I started my CPAP treatment exactly 1 week ago.  I have an F & P Vitera full mask, medium size, and every night I lose the seal of my mask around/near my nose after a couple hours of sleep. Everytime I lose the seal I am woken up by my loud breathing the lost seal causes. I have to tighten it to the point where it causes discomfort to keep it sealed causing me to be unable to fall back asleep.  I have told PM Sleep Lab, they delivered and set up my equipment that I want to be fitted for another mask, preferably a ResMed F20 that has 4 adjustment points on the mask opposed to the Vitera that only has two.  Unfortunately since it is thru the VA Community Care program, the earliest appointment is Dec 4th.  I am getting worse sleep using the CPAP machine with that mask than before I started treatment. Does anyone have any tips on a good seal on that Vitera mask around my nose with only those two adjustment points that would get me by until my December appointment? Would switching to either the small or large mask I have extra help. Any suggestion or help with this will be greatly appreciated.

[staceyburke]

please post an entire night of OSCAR.  It is totally free!!  you do need a SD card in the pap machine while you sleep.  The card is cheap at walmart or walgreans...  32 GB or less.  How the charts need to be set are in my signature.

[Jay51]

I have a Vitera and saw a video for it that said the looser that you can keep the top straps, the better the seal.  It has a "roll fit" nasal cushion (top part) that works well for me with very light strap tension.  You could possibly be over tightening the top 2 straps.  The bottom 2 straps I keep snug.   

Try it.  It may work or it may not.

[Jama1219]

Thanks, I'll download Oscar and attempt to get the data

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Thanks for the tip on the Vitera mask, I'll give it a try

[Jama1219]

Here's my Oscar data from last night.  Once again my mask was sealed for about an hour, then I woke up to it leaking. I re-tighten the mask and went back to sleep for another hour then woke up again because it was too tight. I am using the Medium sized mask, a friend who is also on CPAP suggested I switch sizes to the large. Should I switch mask sizes? I have a large and small size mask that came with the kit.  Which one should I use to try out? 

Thanks again

   

[Jay51]

That is a good question.  I don't remember seeing a Vitera sizing guide online, but there may be one now.  I suggest watching some videos on the vitera mask.  

The possibility still exists that a different size vitera mask may not work for you either.

Are you a very active sleeper (change position a lot?)  There are specific masks on the market to address this.

[Jama1219]

Jay51, thanks I'll check out the Vitera videos and see if there is sizing info.  I am a very active sleeper so I'll have to find one of those masks.

[robbob2112]

The Resmed F40 is the best mask I have tried - covers the mouth and sits under the nose. The seals work well even with the straps fairly loose. I tried all the other over-nose or under-nose masks and each style had issues. Because it is mostly silicone you can sleep in any position without trouble.

[Jama1219]

I found this sizing guide for my F & P Vitera full mask. The RT had originally had me use the medium mask when she delivered and set up the equipment. Using this guide, I should have been in the large mask.  I'm trying it tonight and will let you know how it works out.  Here's the link to get the sizing guide for others that may need it:  

[DME Link Removed]

   

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[Sleepster]

Consider buying a mask from Supplier#1 or the like.