Leak Rate Importance

Is the leak rate really that important as long as it says around 10? I just switched from ffm & leak rate around 4-5. Now that I have been using nasal pillows, my leak rate has gone to 8-10. My AHi's have gone down from 4 avg to 3.2 with 2-2.35 being clear airway. I feel like based on this my leak rate is not relevant.....Am I correct?

Your profile shows a ResMed machine and ResMed says they can compensate very well for leaks up to 24 L/min. In reality they can go a little more before things start getting iffy.

Any Respironics users reading this....your machine reports leaks differently and uses a different line in the sand so don't go into panic mode when your leak numbers are higher.

You have SleepyHead software....if your leak line never goes over 24 L/min then you don't have to worry at all and even if it did go over briefly it's not the end of the world as long as you don't stay up there long.

Pugsy, I was told that I could not use nasal pillows because I was mouth breather. After my first 60 days or so, I learned to how to use the F20 but it was not comfortable & causing facial marks even using padachecks. So I ordered P10 & actually having better results & more comfort except the leak rate. My straight pressure is 14.....do you think I should lower or switch to auto?? Thanks!

Feel Great when under 5....can really tell on an occasional bad night of 7 or so.

RedRooster wrote:My straight pressure is 14.....do you think I should lower or switch to auto?? Thanks!

I don't know....I haven't seen any reports to form any opinion or if I have I forgot.

I do think that if you want to...then want is good enough reason to try anything in my book.