What is typical mask air leakage for an Ultra??

[Stratman]

I been using several different CPAP machines for a couple of years now.

I have had a new Resmed S8 II for about a week now. I am getting good results with it. Previous machine is a GoodKnight 420G (CPAP only machine). Always used an Ultra full face mask with the old machine and no problems.

My setup is:

CPAP mode at 9CM H20, no EPR.

Software is ResScan vs 3.7

Mask is a Resmed Ultra Full Face. I also use a chin strap to keep my mouth closed.

Typical AHI runs 5.0 to 7.0. Not bad for me.

THE LEAKAGE IS ALWAYS OFF THE TOP OF THE SCALE!!!

MAX ABOUT 60 L/Min
95% about 53 L/Min
Median about 43 L/Min

THE RED LINE ON THE CHART IS AT 24L/Min. The Detailed Graph only goes up to about 45 L/min so most of the blue graph line is off the top of the scale.

Mask seems to fit fine. I do NOT hear or feel any air leaking around the sides of it. Only air coming out is through the little vent holes. The S8 seems to be running at a normal slow air pump rate. It does NOT rev up to maximum like when you remove your mask with the machine still on.

Every morning the S8 display shows "HIGH MASK LEAKAGE WARNING".

Any ideas???
Anyone know what the Resmed Ultra Full Face normal leak through the vent holes should be at 9CM???

Thanks,
Tom..................

[Wulfman]

The information is in the user manual you should have received with the mask. There's a graph in there that shows the Vent Flow Rate at various pressures. If you didn't get one, you can download it from this link.

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... er_mul.pdf


Den

[Jason S.]

I have the same mask and set my APAP from 9-13 cm, but it rarely goes above 10 cm and I average about 9.3 per night. My leak rate is about 47 when I don't have any large leaks. However, if I roll on my back, my jaw drops, and I get big leaks in the chin area, which I often don't wake from. That's one thing I noticed, I wake up from eye leaks but not from chin leaks. This mask produces the most leakage I've had (but also the lowest AHI).

[jmelby]

Note that on the ResMed machines, if you have the mask type set correctly to "Mir Full" (for the S8), your leak target should be zero... unlike some of the other brands, the ResMed leak rate is taking into account expected flow. So... you have a bad leak situation. I had this too when I was using the FullLife mask... high leak rate warnings every night. When I met with an RT, she explained that a leak rate that high means that I was not getting effective treatment, and that the AHI numbers reported are probably inaccurate. The way I solved my situation was changing to a nasal mask... now I get almost no leak most nights.

[jmelby]

Another suggestion... first make sure the mask type is set correctly. Then use the mask fit feature to determine your leak when you first put on the mask... hold down the on button for 3 seconds, and you should then get the Mask Fit screen showing 1-5 stars. This will allow you to adjust the mask until you get a good fit. For my aforementioned situation, I never was able to get a good fit with the FullLife.

[Stratman]

The information is in the user manual you should have received with the mask. There's a graph in there that shows the Vent Flow Rate at various pressures. If you didn't get one, you can download it from this link.

http://www.resmed.com/us/assets/documen ... er_mul.pdf


Den

Thanks for the info. I guess I lost the instructions to my mask.

Tom............

[Stratman]

I have the same mask and set my APAP from 9-13 cm, but it rarely goes above 10 cm and I average about 9.3 per night. My leak rate is about 47 when I don't have any large leaks. However, if I roll on my back, my jaw drops, and I get big leaks in the chin area, which I often don't wake from. That's one thing I noticed, I wake up from eye leaks but not from chin leaks. This mask produces the most leakage I've had (but also the lowest AHI).

I agree on the leak rate. I tried using the nasal masks when I first started and my cheeks kept puffing up like a chipmunk. Then the air would come blasting out of my mouth. My wife would call me Darth Vadar. Then I would try and get back to sleep. Just did not work for me.

One thing I forgot to mention is I have a full beard. Probably getting some leakage around that. I guess I could shave, but I am lazy, and retired now so what the heck. I get a little bit of leakage around my eyes as well. If I tighten the mask super tight the leaks stop but then I can't fall asleep.

Tom.............

[Stratman]

Note that on the ResMed machines, if you have the mask type set correctly to "Mir Full" (for the S8), your leak target should be zero... unlike some of the other brands, the ResMed leak rate is taking into account expected flow. So... you have a bad leak situation. I had this too when I was using the FullLife mask... high leak rate warnings every night. When I met with an RT, she explained that a leak rate that high means that I was not getting effective treatment, and that the AHI numbers reported are probably inaccurate. The way I solved my situation was changing to a nasal mask... now I get almost no leak most nights.

Ahhhhhhh, I did NOT have my mask type set to "Mir Full". Just changed it and going to give it a try tonight.

If the leak rate still stays too high my consider shaving my beard and see if that helps. I might be losing air pressure and that is causing the AI Events. I can not tell for sure because the leakage graph is off the top of the scale.

Hmmmmm, I guess I could always DUCT TAPE the mask on???? Just kidding.

Thanks for the tip,

Tom.............

[jmelby]

I can not tell for sure because the leakage graph is off the top of the scale.

If you go into the options in ResScan, you can change the parameters for the charts... I don't have it in front of me to be more specific, but there is a drop-down to select the chart type, then it shows the minimum and maximum values for the chart--you can change those and hit Apply.

[DoriC]

If you're getting eye leaks you might want to fiddle with forehead support position.