Here's last night's Encore Pro results... help!

I've been on CPAP since December of 2006. It's still not working for me like I'd hoped it would. Compliance is not an issue for me at all. Rather, it's the inability to control leaks, or at least that's what I think.

Here's last night's report:



Not knowing a whole lot about how to read these, it's obvious even to me that leaks are the problem. I'm using an OptiFlex now but have a Swift LT coming soon. I stick with CPAP because even with the therapy compromised, I know I feel better than I would without it. But I'm frustrated with it.

I tape my mouth closed so I know this isn't due to mouth leaks. I'm sure it's leaking around the pillows.

Any suggestions, etc., would help.

I'd have to say, even leaking like that, you have really good numbers which can only be improved once you get the leaks under control.

I am not really a nasal only kinda guy, but I have read about RestedGal's tights fix for nasal users. Have you tried that?

Either way, I am glad that you got your numbers online and can't wait to see those leak lines flatten out.

Kevin

Thanks very much for the reply. Actually, those numbers from last night are uncharacteristically good and I have no idea why. I'm typically in the 4-5 AHI range.

I'll look around for the tights fix.

major_works wrote:Thanks very much for the reply. Actually, those numbers from last night are uncharacteristically good and I have no idea why. I'm typically in the 4-5 AHI range.

I'll look around for the tights fix.

Hey, take what you can get for now, right?!

Yeah, you should be able to put it in the search bar and find ALOT about it, and probably pictures of how to do it too. Although, I am sure someone will jump in soon and just provide you with the link....

Aren't you glad you have the software?

All in all, it was still a pretty good night. Yeah, a little leaky, but there weren't many events otherwise (the machine won't record anything but snoring during large leaks).

I've never used anything but full face masks so I don't have any suggestions regarding the nasal mask you're using, but most of us have "nights like that" at some point or another.

Try to diagnose what went wrong during those periods and try to make adjustments and learn from it.

The bottom line question is......."How do you feel?"


Den

Yes, I am glad I have the software, though I've been guilty of not using it for a long while. I finally installed it on this computer, though. If this therapy ever really works for me, it'll be Rested Gal's fault, because she hooked me up with Encore Pro in the first place.

The problem for me, Den, is that "nights like these" are pretty much every night. How do I feel? Moderately lousy, frankly. I will say that I don't take naps like I used to *have* to but I'm still not feeling right. The chart will also tell you that I don't get enough sleep overall, and that's true a lot of nights as well, but that has nothing to do with CPAP.

I've turned up a bunch of posts about Rested Gal's tights fix, pictures and all, so I think I can manage it. I'm hoping to try that tonight in conjunction with some lanolin cream for a better seal.

I do know that at times, a corner of my pillow will bump up against the hose causing the mask's pillows to lift up and out of my nares, probably when I roll around in my sleep. I suspect that's what sometimes happens during the night to cause the long periods of large leakage. So I'm hoping the tights will help mitigate this issue.

I've tried a few different masks over these 2.5 years (original Swift, Mirage Liberty, OptiFlex) and will soon be trying another (Swift LT). I've yet to find one that doesn't leak like this for me.

Thanks for your reply and encouragement!

The tights fix should help alot, but if you notice your pillow still being a culprit, there are numerous PAPillows out there (kind of expensive) or you can get a shapable pillow from target for $10-12 and form it so it stays out of the way of your mask. I use one and it works great. I just punch in the sides so it looks like an hourglass and I'm all set.

From my perspective....That's just crazy to have been at it for over 2 years and still be getting leaks like that at a pressure of less than ten. Order a UMFF ...forget the mouth taping.....leaks will disappear with that mask at your pressure....walla...problem solved.

track wrote:From my perspective....That's just crazy to have been at it for over 2 years and still be getting leaks like that at a pressure of less than ten. Order a UMFF ...forget the mouth taping.....leaks will disappear with that mask at your pressure....walla...problem solved.

Or a Mirage Liberty or InnoMed Hybrid (if you have fat cheeks like me). The UMFF and Quattro leaked around my eyes.

klockemy wrote:

track wrote:From my perspective....That's just crazy to have been at it for over 2 years and still be getting leaks like that at a pressure of less than ten. Order a UMFF ...forget the mouth taping.....leaks will disappear with that mask at your pressure....walla...problem solved.

Or a Mirage Liberty or InnoMed Hybrid (if you have fat cheeks like me). The UMFF and Quattro leaked around my eyes.

If they're properly sized and adjusted, I have a hard time imagining how that could happen.

Finding the right bed pillow can make a huge difference, too. Last year, I tried using a regular fiber fill type of bed pillow (for an experiment) and I had major leakage. I made it for one night and about half of another before I went back to my Chiroflow.


Den

I tried a Mirage Liberty some time ago. It leaked too. And, it broke on me as well. I think I had a Mirage Activa once as well. Leaked.

As to the UMFF, I'll consider that but it'll have to wait now. I just ordered the Swift LT and insurance won't pay for another one for at least 90 days. The one thing I liked about having the Liberty around is that it served as a mask to use when I have a cold and can't breathe much through my nose. I'm good for at least one of those every winter/spring.

I've thought about the special CPAP pillows. I'll look around at them as well.

Thanks again to all for the suggestions!

As usually, I must add that when leaks aren't under control, the numbers reported by the software can be in error, 3/4 of a hour of LL, could be a lot of time of unreported breathing. Jim

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/SleePAP ... illow.html

The right sleep pillow can make all the difference especially if you're a side sleeper. My husband has also used the Chiroflow Pillow with good success but he seems to prefer the SleePapPillow. They're both kind of expensive I know. He also uses the UltraMirageFF mask and once it's properly adjusted at the forehead and chin area, he gets a good seal(although he has "some of those nights" too). Good luck.

A followup... here is last night's (Thursday night) chart:



Note that the leaks are significantly less than in the chart shown in this thread's first post. I used Lansinoh and a "tights fix" headband to snug up the pillows. I'm happy with that.

Note also that my AHI went from 1.7 on Wednesday night (no Lansinoh or headband then) to 3.0 on Thursday night. Any guesses as to why that might be? I know it's still not a bad number, though.

Thanks again to all for your advice and encouragement!

major_works wrote:A followup... here is last night's (Thursday night) chart:



Note that the leaks are significantly less than in the chart shown in this thread's first post. I used Lansinoh and a "tights fix" headband to snug up the pillows. I'm happy with that.

Note also that my AHI went from 1.7 on Wednesday night (no Lansinoh or headband then) to 3.0 on Thursday night. Any guesses as to why that might be? I know it's still not a bad number, though.

Thanks again to all for your advice and encouragement!

The reason is as I said above, now your leaks as closer to being under control, your AHI is higher because the software is reading as it's supposed to. High leaks gives poor treatment and flawed data. I use 40 LPM as my max allowed leak rate to judge my results by, above 50 LPM I doesn't even consider the data to be correct. That's also why I won't use a mask that has a high normal vent rate, (HYBRID) for one, it would be a waste of my treatment. Jim