Does repeated mask inflation mean straps are too loose?

[SkySleep]

When I try a full face mask, such as a ResMed F20 or F40, I notice that when the machine starts there is a definite mask inflation: I feel the mask tightening, and there is an audible pop.

That part is OK. But, as I wear the mask, this keeps repeating, maybe once or twice a minute, sometimes more, sometimes less. It's very bothersome.

I'm thinking that the problem is that the mask is too loose, and the straps need to be tightened. When I do that, the inflation pop is lessened, but I can still feel a slight squeeze when the mask inflates. It still repeats at roughly regular intervals.

Is my thinking along the right track here, and that the problem is one of mask fit? Perhaps not tight enough, perhaps the wrong mask, perhaps the wrong size.

Perhaps this is where a ramp is helpful. (Mine is currently turned off.) Perhaps with a ramp this initial inflation won't happen until I'm asleep. Or is that wishful thinking?

(This doesn't happen with a nasal mask (e.g. P30i). I assume that's because there's nothing to inflate.)

[Phaleronic]

Hi SkySleep,

Please post a daily chart so we can see your pressure setup, mask popping and blowouts are indicative of too high of pressure.

[SkySleep]

Hi SkySleep,

Please post a daily chart so we can see your pressure setup, mask popping and blowouts are indicative of too high of pressure.

Here's last night's chart. Total of 37 min., none of which was while sleeping. After 37 min. I took the mask off and stopped the machine.

It will be a while before I try my next F40 (or F20) experiment, as I can't afford a sleepless night. I'm back to my P30i, with which I can sleep. I haven't used my F20 for a couple of weeks, but I don't recall any popping with it.

As I recall, last night I had the pressure at 6 - 12, and then after all that popping made it 6 constant. Do you think that was too much pressure?

The large leak after about 12 min. was when I took the mask off without first stopping the machine.

I've tried an F20, N30i, P30i, and F40 because all the advice I've seen suggests trying different types of masks when you're first starting out, as I am. So far the P20i is the winner for me. But I've heard so many good things about the new F40 that I wanted to try it, too.

[SarcasticDave94]

There is likely going to be a bit of mask movement while using a CPAP.

I'm not sure there's much I can get out of the chart if you didn't sleep. By not sleeping, you present to us a waking breath pattern, which can be very different from a sleep breath pattern.

[Sleeprider]

Different masks will expand and contract, with larger full-face masks being much more noticeable than smaller hybrids or nasal masks or none at all with nasal pillows. I once used a Fit-Life mask after a facial surgery that was unusable as it rose and fell with pressure support. You are using EPR, that that 3-cm difference between inhale and exhale is enough to make the mask move around quite a bit. Tightening straps, changing masks, and reducing EPR or PS are all possible solutions. I notice you use nasal pillows in addition to the F20 or F40, so that is probably the best solution. Tightening the mask straps can reduce the inflation, but I think today's soft flexible masks are going to have some movement with changes in pressure.

[SkySleep]

Different masks will expand and contract, with larger full-face masks being much more noticeable than smaller hybrids or nasal masks or none at all with nasal pillows. I once used a Fit-Life mask after a facial surgery that was unusable as it rose and fell with pressure support. You are using  EPR, that that 3-cm difference between inhale and exhale is enough to make the mask move around quite a bit.  Tightening straps, changing masks, and reducing EPR or PS are all possible solutions.  I notice you use nasal pillows in addition to the F20 or F40, so that is probably the best solution. Tightening the mask straps can reduce the inflation, but I think today's soft flexible masks are going to have some movement with changes in pressure.

Thanks, Sleeprider. Very helpful.

[Deborah K.]

Generally, full-face masks leak the most.  Stick with your pillows mask.  They leak the least of all the types.  Why did you switch?  Were you having mouth leaks?  If so, mouth tape works wonderfully well to stop leaks.  I thought I would hate it, but it is really quite comfortable.  Lots here like Cover Roll Stretch tape.  It works, but I like Theraband kinesiology tape lots better because it is so comfortable, though more costly.

Good luck finding a good solution!

[SkySleep]

... Why did you switch?  ...

Two reasons: (1) It seems people new to CPAP are advised to try several different masks, and (2) I would like to get comfortable with a full-face mask for the day when I have nasal congestion, because of a cold or whatever.

But the P30i will be my main mask, as I am having very good results with it. No dry mouth when I use it with very low pressure. See my other post about that:

https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...ght-for-me

(You responded to that thread also.)