is there a leak issue or not?

I have read so many things about the leak graphs from the different machines, and the number 24, that I'm honestly not sure if I've got an issue with leaking or not. I don't notice a leak until early mornings, and I usually have to get up and wash my face and the mask in order to get rid of the leak.

I have tried the Quattro Air mask, that one definitely gave me fits with leaking, and I have a wisp, but I have not used that one on this new machine that gives me information, my previous machine was one of the bricks that only gave compliance. I talked my doctor into the auto cpap and the original setting was for 12-20, I changed that myself to 14-20 due to the snore issue. My throat was trying to close down as I relaxed into sleep. That seems to have been taken care of, and my snore number doesn't seem to go way high anymore, seems to stay below 10. Not even sure that is an important number, what was important to me is that I woke myself up snoring. CPAP prescription was for 18 with a cflex of 3.

Ok, let's try this image again.....

https://imageshack.com/i/eyGfJ3RXj maybe this will work.



Ok, I'm not usually this dense. But can't figure it out. The link works, I do believe

The 24 L/min red line is for Resmed S9 machines. You can turn it off because it doesn't apply to your machine.
S9 machines report excess only leaks. Your PR S1 machine reports total leak which is excess leak plus the normal intentional/vent leak. If you want to use the red line it needs to be up around 80 to 90 L/min. Large leak territory will vary with the machine, pressure used and the type of mask used.

Your line line is actually quite stable. One tiny spike to 35 L/min for a very brief time and the rest of the time the minor bumps in the leak line go along with the increase in the pressure line so it's just vent rate increase. The higher the pressure the greater the vent rate.

You don't have a leak issue unless these very minor leaks are waking you up. I wouldn't give it a second thought. It's better than mine for sure.

Your snores are still a little higher in number than I would want to see if this is what you see every night. Snores are indicators that the airway is trying to collapse a little.
The AHI is fine though.
I don't know if the snores disturb your sleep enough to impact how you feel or if you want to do anything about them. If you did then I suspect just a little more minimum pressure would clean up the report a little more. Maybe 0.5 to 1.0 cm more.

From what I see, the intentional leak for the mask your using is is at 24L, that is so your not rebreathing CO2... The blue line at the very bottom is your mask leaking and that is very low... It may be enough to wake you if your sleeping lite but nothing to worry about, trust me, there are way worse leaks that I have seen...

If the leak dose bother you from the sound, try using a white noise machine, I have 1 that plays 10 different sounds and masks any kind of sound from leaks that low...

Thanks! Since I just made the change a couple days ago, I'm going to keep watching to see what happens. It's twice as good as it was at 12, but I'll aim for lower.

It's all so much information to take in for a sleep deprived person who can't think straight! Hoping that will clear up soon.

I had a ton of leaks in my first week of cpap; no amount of tightening or loosening the straps would help... that is the first thing to try, because if the mask is too loose or too tight, you will have leaks. While some leaks do occur by the inherent nature of masks, if they are waking you up they are hampering the effectiveness of your therapy.

About 5 days into my journey, I found this forum, and that is where I learned about mask liners. I bought some, and they were a game changer for me, and I will never be without them now! Liners are good for two things: they protect your face from mask irritation and/or contact dermatitis, also they act like a gasket to minimize leaks. I rarely have large leaks anymore, and I almost never wake up from leaks. Your DME will probably have some, or you can go to one of these websites: http://www.padacheek.com or https://www.cpap.com. You can also purchase strap pads if you have irritation on your cheeks from your headgear.

Cowboy Casey wrote:From what I see, the intentional leak for the mask your using is is at 24L, that is so your not rebreathing CO2... The blue line at the very bottom is your mask leaking and that is very low... It may be enough to wake you if your sleeping lite but nothing to worry about, trust me, there are way worse leaks that I have seen...

If the leak dose bother you from the sound, try using a white noise machine, I have 1 that plays 10 different sounds and masks any kind of sound from leaks that low...

I have 2 fans running on 2 different sides of the room, and a white noise machine for winter. It's not the sound that bothers me when I'm sleeping light so much as the ... Tickle is the only way I know to describe it. I get way less of that with the current mask than I did with either of the prior masks. I am going to try using a different size nose piece, just to see what it does. I tried the small last night and all I could do was laugh at it. So I'll give the large a try, can't hurt!

Ishtar wrote: I have 2 fans running on 2 different sides of the room, and a white noise machine for winter. It's not the sound that bothers me when I'm sleeping light so much as the ... Tickle is the only way I know to describe it. I get way less of that with the current mask than I did with either of the prior masks.

my nose itches with a full face mask if I don't keep my nose hairs aggressively trimmed.

trim 'em, and no itches/tickles, forget...and it's scratch the nose time

my nose itches with a full face mask if I don't keep my nose hairs aggressively trimmed.

trim 'em, and no itches/tickles, forget...and it's scratch the nose time

LOL yes I have woken up scratching the nose, the proverbial "wet hands". Not the nostrils, just ANYWHERE on the nose. But nose hairs haven't been an issue.... YET

Ishtar wrote:LOL yes I have woken up scratching the nose, the proverbial "wet hands". Not the nostrils, just ANYWHERE on the nose. But nose hairs haven't been an issue.... YET

everybodies nose has nose hairs

yep, but they haven't been an issue.... as I said, YET lol

[quote="library lady"

About 5 days into my journey, I found this forum, and that is where I learned about mask liners. I bought some, and they were a game changer for me, and I will never be without them now! Liners are good for two things: they protect your face from mask irritation and/or contact dermatitis, also they act like a gasket to minimize leaks. I rarely have large leaks anymore, and I almost never wake up from leaks. Your DME will probably have some, or you can go to one of these websites: http://www.padacheek.com or https://www.cpap.com. You can also purchase strap pads if you have irritation on your cheeks from your headgear.[/quote]

There don't appear to be mask liners for my mask, or any of the nose pillows, the other masks are there though. I'd really love for the Quattro Air to work for me, but I think since I have the option I'm going to try a different mask.

Ishtar wrote:yep, but they haven't been an issue.... as I said, YET lol

unless they're what's causing the phantom itches. *shrugs* just a thought.

palerider wrote:

Ishtar wrote:yep, but they haven't been an issue.... as I said, YET lol

unless they're what's causing the phantom itches. *shrugs* just a thought.

Naw, the itches aren't inside the nose, they are are outside. The tickly feeling that I get from the air leaks aren't on or in the nose, they are around the outsides of the mask where the mask (other than the nose pillows) is leaking. So far for the most part I don't have the issue with the nasal pillows.