[Equipment] AirFit F40: Hurting when good seal; Leaky when loose

[efaj]

Hi all,

I'm nearly starting my third week in CPAP. I feel I've narrowed down good settings, and I'm around 2.7 AHI in good nights (mostly from CAs). But the lingering issue is mask fit and leaks.

When I get a good seal, it's so tight that the surrounding of my mouth hurts... which is not the worse part. But the main issue is the columella hurts, and near the tip, I even got a minor wound, like a small scrape.

Last night, I tried loosening the fit, and yes, I don't feel hurt. But I got 13% of Large Leak.

I'm hoping anyone has any tips on how to improve this. I'm already sleeping with a pillow for CPAP mask (it has holes on both sides). I'm also clean shaved. I also wonder... the instruction booklet says to set the machine to nasal pillow, even though the F40 is a full face mask, I wonder if I should try with the full face setting?

[Deborah K.]

Some folks do like it better when set for full face. It's also possible the mask is not the right size. You might need to size up.

[car54]

I have tried the mask with the same problems. I think many people experience the same but also many people have success with it. What works for one doesn't mean it will work for you. I use the F30 which is very similar but it is more "cushiony" than the 40

[Big Guy]

I have an AirFit F40 and it's okay. The extra bit of hose that comes with it though, makes it a bit more cumbersome, at least for me.