newbie q's: leaks, breathing patterns, & how?

First post. 52 years old. I've used the CPAP for about 9 months. Didn't have much trouble adjusting to the mask outside the normal stuff. Since it's mostly solved my apnea and irregular heartbeat, I use it religously.

The very first day I used the CPAP, I noticed a tiny stream of air blowing out near where the hose connects to the mask. I didn't remember that from the sleep study. I couldn't get it to stop. Next day, I called the medical supply place and the guy told me that was normal and that the "used air" had to go somewhere, so I ignored the leak.

On a slightly different topic, during the sleep testing period, I asked the following question of every technician and doctor I spoke with-- what happens when I get a head cold? Every response was the same: personally, they found the pressure sort of "blew out the congestion". Wow! Was that wrong in my case. I thought, "have they never had real sinus congestion?" So I've suffered about 4-5 nights trying to use the mask with a stopped-up head. No big deal, but I thought I would try a mask that covers the nose and mouth, since every three months, insurance covers a new mask. That didn't come close to working for me, so I switched back to my second mask.

Sorry to beat around the bush here, but suddenly, I've gotten really curious about how all this works and feel really ignorant of some important fine points. When I switched back to one of my first masks after ditching the full-face one, I pressed the hose up really tight against the mask and suddenly, I noticed that there were zero leaks. Within seconds, I also noticed that my breathing shifted into a long, steady, smooth inhale and exhale, as if I were sleeping already. The clear flow of air "feels very right", but I'm stuck on wondering whether I got another piece of bad advice from a medical technician.

Namely, should there be zero leaks?

If so, how does the exchange of fresh air actually work if there is no noticeable "exhaust", so to speak?

Should I have been breathing like I described above all along? If I slightly loosen the hose from the mask, my breathing is not as deep and steady, but the CPAP does apparently work well enough to keep me from having the awful startled wakeups gasping for air, not to mention, retaining a steady heartbeat.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cool forum. TIA

John

John,

Please tell us exactly which mask you are using. Different masks have different exhaust ports, the holes where the air is supposed to be leaking from. That clears out the expirations. if you have a leak in your connection, that is different and there may be a fix for it, like plummers tape. The expected leak rate for you mask is printed on a chart that came with it.

As far as your sinuses go, have you tried Neilmed's Sinus rinse? Available in most drug stores and even, Walmart. Use that when you have congestion. It's not as bad as it sounds, and I am a sissy about getting water up my nose. Also, you can adjust your humidifier either higher or lower depending on which way it helps you breathe. For me, my sinuses close up in hot steamy air, so I keep my humidifier as low as it will go.

Can you go into your user control and add your equipment so it shows up on your posts? That way we can see what you are working with and be able to help you better.

Bev

I have a wicked cold right now, and the time I feel the least congestion is when I use the CPAP. I put about one tablespoon of Vicks VapoSteam in my humidifier water, and that just keeps my sinuses open all night.

Check it out.

Thanks for the responses. I've posted my equipment specs for OutaSync (looks like our equipment is InSync)