Ill-fitting CPAP or BiPAP mask

I'm on my 4th mask.It is the small under the nose, but over the mouth F20i.

The problem I have is to stop leaks I have to pull the lower strap so tight that my teeth are causing sores in my mouth, only on one side. That side is missing a tooth and the molar is by itself.

I am trying dental guards to protect my cheek from the tooth. I am going to try taping the mouthpiece to my face so there will be no,leaks, but no pressure. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I also had a dry mouth problem. I bought Biotene rinse. You swirl iy around in your mouth for 30 seconds and that has helped a lot. The Biotene spray was not as effective. 

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Well, the tape didn't work. I am making sure the top (under nose) is tight and if the mouth leaks a little, I can live with that. I use a ResMed F30i, under nose, over mouth- not over nose. Best so far for me. I've tried multiple over nose, not very successful. 
Even with the less comfortable, for me, face masks, my CPAP has improved my life immeasurably. 

I hope this helps. I have been on CPAP since February 1996.  It was tough at the beginning but I hung on and now I can't sleep without it.  Here are a few thing I learned over time: 

First, it takes time to find the right mask .  I don't know how it is today but one question that most technicians don't ask is how do you sleep.  I sleep on my belly with the head turned to the right.  I took a long time to find out that nasal pillows did not work for me, because the seal would not stay between the nostril and the pillows. I then ended up trying different headgears to try to find the right one to no avail.  I then tried an over the nose mask with some type of cushion on the front to keep it straight the  name was Resmed contour mask, this was the jackpot. I liked this mask until they discontinued it...  Then the technician asked me to try the Fisher and Paykel Zest Q it was similar to the Resmed contour mask.  It took me a week or so to get used to it.

I think I have had sleep apnea since 1976, as at that time I was doing a lot of camping and friends would tell me that I snored very loud and the n the say they thought I was dead because I stipped breathing.  THat is probably why I developed the habit of sleeping on my belly. I bring this up because last year I had to go through surgery and I tried to sleep on my belly.  have you ever tried to sleep on your belly in an hospital bed?  It is very uncomfortable, because it is an articulated bed.  
Then by accident, or while looking at the TV, I had to raise the top of the bed to be able to see the TV.  I put my mask in my face and for the first time in I don't know how many years, I was able to sleep on my back all night.  I spend 11 days in the hospital and I slept every night on my back with the CPAP and the head part of the bed raised.  I was surprise to find out that I woke up in the same position I fell asleep.

When I got home,  I tried a wedge pillow,  and was able to sleep on my back without moving.  All this to say, don't give up, I would never sleep without my CPAP I love it. Keep trying masks and when you find the right one, stick to it and have at least on spare.
Other things I find helpful to keep around is an alternative power source A deep cycle group 27 battery and an inverter does the trick for me.  Another thing, have a spare CPAP.  Mine broke once at 11:30 PM, needless to say I didn't sleep that night.  Since then I always have 2 CPAP with me.

I know this is long winded,  and I hope it bring help and patience to someone in the group.

my mask is okay for a few hours, then the sides start flapping. changed masks & this continues to happen. 

@pacots Hello pacots, thank you for you comment, I've moved it to this discussion dedicated to mask fit problems for more visibility. 

Hello everyone, how have you been? Have any of you also had fit issues with your BiPAP mask? Have you found any ways to fix it or make it more comfortable?
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Feel free to share your advice here!

Take care,
Courtney

I've been over this with my doctor and with the bipap supplier.  The problem is my face is narrow/skinny so even an XS face mask has leakages.  Next step is to try a pediatric mask.  Right now using a nasal and it's OK but even that whistles and makes noise sometimes.

Ive been using cpap for 3 years. Different masks and still cant sleep with it .   I will try for a couple hours and take it off. Anyone else?     Looking for an alternative but Im not sure what to do.

For me, the hardest part of using a CPAP is finding a good mask that fits.  I have been a Cpap user for 14 years.  I had a heart attack at 53, much of which I blame on sleep apnea.  I can trace symptoms of sleep apnea back to my late teen years.  I am 65 now.  The CPAP is a Godsend!  The masks...not so much so.  I use a full face mask and, with modifications I have made, it works moderately well.  That is, considering that my sleep patterns are about the worlds worst!  The higher pressure you need for effective sleep, the worse problem you will have with mask fit.  When my wife was alive she commented about me "flying my airplane" all night long, from the leaks in my mask. She was the one who diagnosed my sleep apnea.  I told her I didn't have sleep apnea so she video taped me while I was "sleeping"... I could see that I would go as long as 84 seconds without taking a breath, then kind of wake up and start breathing again.  I went to the doctor!  I have had a CPAP ever since!

@Woodchuck2   I use a DreamWear under the nose mask - tried others but I could stand the confining of the those other masks. I use the DreamWear Mask- goes under my nose - I've use it for a long time and it works just fine.