still struggling

Hi All, I am struggling with mask fit and CPAP in hopes someone will have some thoughts. I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 49 events an hour so I am trying really hard to be compliant. I am using a full face, as a mouth breather cant seem to handle anything else Resmed F20 both with and without memory foam. The machine ramps up from 4.5-13 depending on what is needed. I am having problems keeping the mask on longer than 3-4 hours and seem to get a lot of leaking. I struggle to adjust and wind up going back to the lab for multiple adjustments. I don't want anything more evasive like chin straps etc, and sleep on my back. I am not sure if its leaks or something else I do at night but the numbers don't impress me. Over the last two months I am running between 3-4 hours with 2 nights of 5 and 6. Events are reduced to 1.8-4.4. last night was a record 6.55 hours but 19 events each hour. My leaks are always high in the high 30s. I am frustrated don't want to give up. Also my smile muscles hurt every morning . I would welcome any help. I live in CT and there doesn't seem to be any local support groups. I have talked to the provider resmed the vender and the dr and still cant figure it out. The only other mask I used was the amora view which really hurt my facial muscles.

Have you tried a mask liner? They are supposed to help with leaks. I couldn't do the full face mask and had a lot more leakage than with a nasal mask, but that was in large part because I can't sleep on my back. With my nasal mask I notice my skin gets oily during the night and creates more leakage. Could it be something like that? If that's the case a liner will help with that as well. For me, I take it off halfway through the night wipe my face down and wipe down the mask and then it's fine the rest of the night.

If both full face masks hurt your face though I'd probably be considering a different type of mask. I've never had that problem with my nasal masks. I'm also a mouth breather and do have to use a chin strap but it's not as bad as you'd think. I got used to it pretty quickly. Is it possible that it's adjusted too tight? I know they say leaks can occur from being too loose or too tight.

Perhaps you could try a Simplus. I generally prefer them to the F20 (but horses for courses). I'm a little surprised that the Amara View hurt your face that much. Perhaps it was too tight? Do you adjust your own mask while using it, as required? I have lots of patients who have masks leaks because they don't want to adjust their mask straps.

I have had results fairly similar to yours, Despite not qualifying To have Medicare pay for oxygen based on my overnight O2 test, my doc just prescribed O2, which so far has worked, need more nights to be sure but my sister's husband has bee on O2 for a few years with excellent results (he did not qualify either)

I use a full face mask, Mirage Quattro, and find that I like the comfort of this mask better than any other. I also purchased Padacheek mask liner plus Anti-leak strap. That’s the best purchase I’ve made as my mask now lasts for months! I haven’t had to change my mask since using the mask liner starting in January. The mask liner is machine washable and, therefore, reusable. My mask leaks are starting to increase so I guess it’s time to change my mask. Cheaper than having to change it every month! My leaks decreased also using the liner and strap.