I've been reading posts since my diagnosis of severe sleep apnea over two months ago and have found reading others experiences helpful.  

I finally received my equipment 6 days ago and I am having the hardest time fighting leaks in the full face mask I was given.  My insurance company will pay for one more, but I don't want to end up with a worse one.  

I adjust the Comfortfull, fall asleep and then awaken to air blowing &/or loud vulgar noises popping all over my face.  My pressure ramps from 4 to 15.  I just want to be able to go to sleep, stay asleep and turn over from time to time.

    Is there one ff mask that handles higher pressures without leaks and is still comfortable?

    Has anyone tried the oral mask by Fisher & Paykel?

    How does one get used to the idea of wearing a big hunk of plastic on your face, with Darth Vadar sounds coming out of the machine you're      hooked up to?

I don't wear a full face mask so can't help you with that question, but I'm sure there are a lot of people who will see this who do and try to help.  I just wanted to give encouragement.  I've been on it since August (through several masks too) and it just takes time.  If one mask isn't working, try another until you get something you can live with.  Try not to be too hard on yourself--eventually we'll get the hang of a big piece of plastic on our faces attached to straps and a hose   Good luck and keep posting with how you're doing.

Thanks Momma, for your words of encouragement -

It's time to try again & hopefully get some sleep...

Linnea,

ResMed and Respironics FF masks tend to leak at pressures over 9.  A good mask (which several of us on this forum use) for higher pressures is a Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 431.  It is comfortable also.

Get in the position you like to sleep in and adjust the mask in that position.  That will help also.

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

If I can ever get ahold of the supplier, I'll ask them for the Flexifit.  I just need to vent.  I think it's ridiculous to tell someone that they have a serious condition and then wait for months to get properly treated.  I called originally in early June, my sleep studies were in August and now it's mid October.

Because it was Sunday night last night, I gave up on the mask after an hour and slept without it.  I feel like s**t today.  I did the mask at full pressure in different positions, it seemed fine and then did the ramp, by the time it got to 15 my face was blurpin' all over the place again.

When I have gotten the thing to work, I do feel better.  I don't have to run to the bathroom several times in the night and I feel more rested.  I want this to work.  I'm calling the doctor this morning to complain - maybe that will help?

On to a busy detail filled day of work today.