Smartcard data & FF mask leak questions

[stacia123]

I've been on the CPAP since October, doing well, 100% compliance and all that. I'm having a little trouble telling what my AHI is, as the readout screen tells me a much lower number than the Smartcard Daily Details printouts do.

About 6 weeks ago I noticed I didn't seem to be feeling as rested, and my readout screen has indicated a raise in AHI, but the Smartcard data doesn't. There's a big difference between what the 2 things say. The Smartcard data has been pretty consistent for months: My DME printouts show an average of 2.8 AHI for October to May. My own download for the end of May to the end of June has a 2.4 AHI average. The Daily Data pages for 5 days in May ranged from 1.2 to 3.8, and 5 days in June ranged from 1.1 to 3.0.

My readout, however, is different. Prior to not feeling rested 6 weeks ago, it would show a 7-day and 30-day averages of 1.2 to 1.9. About 6 weeks ago the readout screen started showing averages of 2.0 to 2.4. I can't figure out why the readout seems to correlate with not feeling as rested while the Smartcard doesn't show any change.

Second question: I have a Flexifit 431 FF mask and am trying to figure out the leak rate for the mask. I went to this site:

http://cpaphelp.internetage.ws/manuals/ ... tes-1.html

and it doesn't go down to 8.0 on the chart. Can I extrapolate from the pattern and assume 35 is the leak rate I should be trying for, or is 39 the minimum leak rate no matter what the pressure?

[jules]

There is a leak information - graph and chart on page 2 of this -

http://www.fphcare.com/osa/pdf/HC431/185043239.pdf

[stacia123]

Oh right, I should have mentioned I had that chart in the box with my FF mask stuff. I guess between it and the chart I linked to, I can assume a leak rate of 35-36 for a pressure of 8.0.

So if I have an average leak stat of anywhere from 38.5 to 40.0, that's probably not a problem, correct?

Just trying to weed out possible causes of the recent fatigue issues here. I'm really flummoxed.

[Velbor]

.... I can assume a leak rate of 35-36 for a pressure of 8.0. So if I have an average leak stat of anywhere from 38.5 to 40.0, that's probably not a problem, correct?

Depends what "problem" means. As far as the machine itself is concerned, anything up to around 60 L/m (36 L/m venting plus conservatively machine-handleable 24 L/m = 0.40 L/s) is "not a problem". The machine should be able to maintain set pressure, and all sensors and machine operations should function normally.

On the other hand, if ANY leak is annoying you, arousing you (from sleep!), or waking you; if leak is blowing in your eyes or drying your mouth, then it is a potential problem. There needs to be a balance between what the machinery tells you, and what your body tells you; it's helpful to be attentive to both.

Best of luck. Velbor

[stacia123]

Hi Velbor, and thanks! I almost never notice leaks on the mask anymore, now that I have it adjusted. I only wake up from leaks maybe 2-3 times per month. What I was concerned about were small leaks from the position I was in, stuff that didn't fully wake me up so I didn't know it was leaking. I hoped that if that was occurring, the numbers would give me a bit of a hint that there was a problem, but I honestly have no idea if that would work or not.