British Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Association

I have been given an S8 machine for a trial of one week. I have to go back next Tuesday (15th). Over the last few night s I have had lots of leakage from near my mouth. I know one night it was made worse by me having moisturiser on my face. What I want to know is if it is quite normal to have a mask that leaks and makes loud 'raspberry' like noises? If it is then I will persevere as I am, as I really want to complete my week's trial and be considered suitable for a permanent machine.

Despite the leaks and the disturbed sleep I do actually feel more normal, less zombie like than I have done in years.

Another question: Should I turn the machine off to go to the loo during the night? I found when I turned it off it went into a 20 min 'going back to sleep' mode when I turned it back on. (sorry I can't remember what it is called and am too lazy to go back upstairs to look). I had to be woken to be told I was snoring during the 20 mins. One night I turned it off every time the mask leaked and woke my husband, he then woke me to let me know.

Sorry if I have posted really silly questions. I have looked back and used the search but didn't really mind the answer I want.

Poohbear, NO question is a silly one!

I'm glad you realised that moisturiser makes it hard for the mask to sit still! It's in the daytime that you need to moisturise where the mask covers!

Masks shouldn't be leaking as you describe. You might need to adjust both the top and bottom straps! Have a play!

And yes, you DO need to turn the machine off when you get up to go to the loo, and then put it on again when you return! It will start from the beginning of the timed ramp again when you do ... that's normal.

You might want to discuss the size and shape of your mask at your next appointment and perhaps get the technician to fit it and to show you how to do it .. and let you practice with him or her! Also to discuss the ramp time. If you need some, try starting about half the present time allowed. Well done for persevering. It often takes a bit of time for the initial gremlins to get sorted out, so you are doing well. Hope you get an even better night's sleep tonight!

Thank you Alsacienne,
I am so pleased you don't think me a bit dim asking stupid questions. Hopefully your answers will help other people too. I have made sure both my face and the mask are squeaky clean (no moisturiser) ready for sleep. It makes me happier to know that I should turn off the machine when I get up in the night.
Maybe I should turn it off when I have to take the mask off to have a drink of water too? I know I will need to ask for a humidifier as my mouth is incredibly dry during the night.

I have had a go at tightening the straps a little, hopefully tonight's sleep will be an improvement on the last few.

I'd definitely remove my mask when having a drink of water .... I've tried it otherwise, and plenty of water has ended up on the bedding!!

Sounds like :-

-- You have a nasal mask ... and given your concerns about leakage, perhaps another type of mask might help ... full face or nasal pillows

-- If you're getting dry, you might benefit from a humidifier

Both are matters you could raise at your next sleep clinic appointment!

And keep the questions coming!! You're not the only one who benefit from the discussion!! Hope last night went better and that you have a good day today.

just a tip i've found useful for drinking at night...i use a mirage liberty full face mask. I keep a sports bottle of juice by my bed with a straw in it, when i need a drink, i disconnect the hose from mask and slip the straw in through the hole into my mouth. Thus i can drink without having to take every thing off. Dont know if it works for all ff masks but does for mine.

Slightly off topic i know....sorry.

Alsacienne my mask covers my mouth and nose. The leakage was less last night but started again around 3am and I eventually slept with my hand on it to keep it on my face. I have had a look and it is a Mirage Quattro

I love the idea of a sports bottle with a straw in it through the mask. Maybe when I have better coverage from the mask I can start doing things like that.


I have checked and the mask is a large size, I am thinking that maybe I need a smaller mask to keep it on my face. On Tuesday I am going to have a huge list of questions about how to manage this better.

Can you try to tighten it further tonight? Made a big difference to my hubby last night.

trinity I did tighten it a bit last night and for the first half of the night it was okay. Maybe I should have tightened it a bit more then but being half awake it didn't cross my mind. I will definitely tighten it a bit more tonight. I am pleased it made a difference for you and your husband last night.


Hubby has reminded me that the nurse at the hospital said it shouldn't be tightened more than she did as it can affect the buoyancy of the mask. But she isnt trying to wear it all night. I have always had a rebellious streak in mes so I will give it a try tonight.

Hi Poohbear

I have had a CPAP for nearly 4 weeks. The first 2 was with a nose mask and the last 10 days with a full face mask. I found this very strange and it didn't seem to fit right. It's not the same trying it on at the clinic when you're sitting up and then trying to sleep with it!

I was pretty miffed at first as the thing didn't fit right but I gave myself a talking to and told myself to 'get on with it!' I took the mask to bits and put it back together and sorted the straps out myself to make sure it was right! In other words I took ownership of it!!

I am just starting to get used to the mask and I'm getting much better sleep than I have for years. As everyone says here it does take time to get used to but the result is well worth it.

OY NM37 .... enough of this sexist talk!!! But as you DO know your Quattro from your schnozzle, you're pardoned this time!! I hope that this will sort out poohbear's problem once and for all. She certainly deserves a decent night's sleep .. she's done everything she was told to do by the 'experts' ...

Yep mines only medium too. A snazzy pink number 'Quattro FX for her'!

Sounds like its too big for you Poohbear!

Thanks for all the tips and thanks for all the questions poohbear, these are exactly the same problems I am getting. I get awoken by the mask making raspberry noises and my girlfriend gets awoken by the hissing of leaking air when the mask comes loose slightly. I've tightened the straps a little but the nurse did say not to do this. It seems that no matter where i put my head when it is blowing on full it leaks slightly. I think I might try it on a really tight setting tonight just to see if that helps?

I am also still taking the mask off at about 01:00 every morning, my girlfriend gently reminds me and says that I have some really mad conversations with her about removing it, none of which I recall

I still found it was leaking whenever I put my head down. If I lay on my back then the straps were pushed forward slightly loosening the seal, on my side it raised it up. I tried holding it in place until i feel asleep which seemed to help until I let go.

I am going to try something extra technical tonight: An elastic band!If I get one the right size to stretch around my head and pull the mask bit by the nose and on my face, this will simulate me holding it against my face

I found this online last night... http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_AntiLeak_Strap.html might be what you are thinking of, but a 'proper' one!