Trading higher AHI for less leaks

[Paul_H]

Hello:

I've been using a ResMed P10 mask for almost 3 years now. Very happy with it for a couple of years, but during the last year or so I've had unacceptable time over the leak rate threshold. Averaging 22%. I believe air has been leaking from my mouth, but I'm not mouth-breathing. No idea why I didn't have that problem the first couple of years. My AHI has averaged 1.08. I thought of trying reducing the minimum and maximum pressures on my machine from 11-18 to 8-15. Since I've done that my AHI has gone up to 2.30, and the time over the leak threshold has dropped to 10.3% . Still not a great leak rate, but way better than before. The pressure is peaking at 15 several times a night, but not sticking there, which leads me to think I might be able to reduce it some yet and still keep my AHI below 5.0.

I've tried taping my mouth, and hated that. I also tried a chin strap, which worked pretty well, but I hated that too. During the hot weather it would be horrible.

I still feel like I'm getting good enough therapy, as I have plenty of energy for a 70 year old (hell, as I work out regularly now and bicycle almost everywhere I have more energy than I had as a 60 year old), and no longer start dozing off during the day as I once did.

I've sort of had tunnel vision since I started on CPAP therapy, focussing solely on the goal of hammering my AHI down as low as possible. Does this seem like a reasonable trade-off?

I've sort of done things ass-backwards, as before I thought of reducing the pressure to reduce leaks and still have an acceptable AHI, I ordered a ResMed AirFit F20 mask, which I just received a few weeks ago. I've never used a FF mask before. I wore it for a week and a half. It's a great mask, really well made and designed, I had hardly any leaks, and it's relatively comfortable. I gave up on it because I couldn't get away from a claustrophobic feeling while wearing it, but perhaps I should have given it more time, and I will probably give it another trial. However, I love the minimalism of the P10, and if I can get a good compromise happening with that, the F20 may be for sale in a few months. I want to keep experimenting and accumulating more data before I do that, though. Right now I'm going travelling for a few weeks, and I won't take it, as when on the road is not the time try to get used to a new mask, I don't think.

Thanks,

Paul

[palerider]

I've been using a ResMed P10 mask for almost 3 years now. Very happy with it for a couple of years, but during the last year or so I've had unacceptable time over the leak rate threshold. Averaging 22%.

you have replaced the mask strap in that time, right?

[Paul_H]

I've been using a ResMed P10 mask for almost 3 years now. Very happy with it for a couple of years, but during the last year or so I've had unacceptable time over the leak rate threshold. Averaging 22%.

you have replaced the mask strap in that time, right?

Oh yes, a few times.

[palerider]

I've been using a ResMed P10 mask for almost 3 years now. Very happy with it for a couple of years, but during the last year or so I've had unacceptable time over the leak rate threshold. Averaging 22%.

you have replaced the mask strap in that time, right?

Oh yes, a few times.

loose strap (wash in hot water to shrink), or holes in the hoses are all I can think to cause leaks, or you keep mushing it off center.

[Paul_H]

I've been using a ResMed P10 mask for almost 3 years now. Very happy with it for a couple of years, but during the last year or so I've had unacceptable time over the leak rate threshold. Averaging 22%.

you have replaced the mask strap in that time, right?

Oh yes, a few times.

loose strap (wash in hot water to shrink), or holes in the hoses are all I can think to cause leaks, or you keep mushing it off center.

I do that regularly. I don't believe the mask is leaking, I believe my mouth is leaking.

[palerider]

I do that regularly. I don't believe the mask is leaking, I believe my mouth is leaking.

read through this, and check your data, see if you see something similar:
viewtopic/t112758/Mouth-Breathing-mouth ... forms.html