Veterans - please look at my report and comment

I've been getting my best results yet since using Poligrip at night. Monday night I switched from the stuff you squeeze from the tube to the strips. I really like the strips better - less mess and they don't ooze into my mouth. Last night was my worst since using Poligrip. I'm not sure what's going on. Would appreciate it if some of you veterans would take a look at my report for last night and see if anything "jumps out at you".

http://www.box.net/shared/fj14able3g

I know it's only one night. I know one time I woke and my mouth was slightly open. I don't know if the strips just don't provide a strong enough grip of it was just a rough night. I know I also woke to find the mask leaking. I think sometimes when I get into a really good sleep and dream, I start tossing and turning more than normal causing my mask to leak, then the leaks wake me.

My VPAP was in auto mode, so the machine did not respond to any of the apneas. Would more leaks cause the machine to be less likely to detect snores and flow limitations or are these likely frank apneas? Later in the night, fewer events, but some really bad leaks. Would the leaks cause the machine to miss apneas all together?

Am I over analyzing one bad night???

Anyone?

I don't know enough about that machine or the software. Sorry. This will bump it up one more time though.

Never have seen that box.net before. I was a little leery about clicking that link.

As a complete novice at reading that chart, to me it looked like (1) you leaked in a big way for a few hours right after you went to bed and your therapy was ineffective and (2) when your leakage is low, your therapy doesn't look that great anyway. I'm more sure about the #1 than comment #2. But that isn't saying much.

You also leaked again later.

I'm not all that familiar with that report format, but as I read it the numbers don't look all that out of whack.....
The AHI is a tad high, but that could be due to other factors. Your leak rate doesn't look all that bad (if the numbers are the same as I would see in Encore Pro). Your pressure is high compared to mine, so I'm not sure what your leak rate should be with that mask -- mine at 13cm or so should ride about 26-27 -- what it should be at 19 I don't know, but your mask documentation will let you know that.

I've been using the Activa mask a lot lately as opposed to my Headrest. I really like the Activa!!!!!
I have found that you really need to keep the headgear loose. The only thing the headgear is for is to keep the mask in place, not to cause a seal. I actually had to loosen my lower straps the other night because I had them too tight which was pushing the top of the mask into the bridge of my nose more. What gave me the clue was reaching up to "feel" the inflation of the active cell. Take a look-see at the documentation and when you are using the mask make sure it inflates properly - if not, play with the straps. My upper strap is just tight enough to keep the forehead thingie pressed against my forehead -- I also have it adjusted so that the top of the mask is as far away from my face as it can get - which allows the bellows to inflate properly.
I do get some leaks when I move around but if I gently squeeze the bellows it re-seals.

As far as the Poligrip -- I would only use the strips. I used them for a few nights when I was chasing leak rates on another mask and found I don't mouth breathe so I don't use them anymore, but I found they worked really well - Cut 'em in half diagonally and use one half on each side with the narrow side of the "triangle" in the middle. Make sure your lips are wet enough to thoroughly wet the strips but not so wet they totally dissolve.....yeah. Just what ya need -- another balancing act.....

Oh -- Box.net is no sweat - known entity. Like anything else, just make sure you know/understand who posted the link.

That's about all I can come up with for now.
Take care
cheers
goose

goose wrote:Your leak rate doesn't look all that bad (if the numbers are the same as I would see in Encore Pro). Your pressure is high compared to mine, so I'm not sure what your leak rate should be with that mask -- mine at 13cm or so should ride about 26-27 -- what it should be at 19 I don't know, but your mask documentation will let you know that.

Resmed's automatically adjust the leak rate, so if I had no leaks at all, my leak rate should be 0. I look more at the graph and if the leaks are only for a short period during the night, I don't worry about it too much. Last night's leaks were more than I like to see. However, it was just one night, so I guess I shouldn't stress over it too much.

The Activa is great - SOMETIMES! I find I can sleep on my side with fewer leaks. I wear it really loose. Sometimes though it seems to leak through the little flap that has the vent holes. It seems to "pop out" of position and I have difficulty keeping it in it's place. It's not a problem every night, but I think that was part of the problem last night. I thought of taping it in place, don't want to get anything in the way of the vent holes though.

Really hoping for a better night tonight. Leaks woke me too many times last night!