MRH - we hijacked your question on APAP - how are you doing?

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:06 pm

This is in case you want a thread of you own again... and I mean it, how are you after a week?

O.

MRH · Post by **MRH** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:12 pm

ozij,

No problem, I seen that the thread headed off a new direction. It's all good I have left things alone for the last several days, things are better I had a ahi of 5.2 last night and 6 something the night before. One thing I have tried is I hooked my hose up to a hook on the headboard the last 2 nights. I have had a flatter leak line then the nights before I am think that things are finally sinking in here. I need to get a better leak rate then play with the pressures I was too slow starting all of this then to big a hurry to get there after I did start with things. I think I might to try some more masks or maybe a different size on the 431 I have maybe down to a meduim (Came from DME who only gave me the one size)or maybe just a new seal on the large! It seems like it has stretched a little maybe.

Thanks, still trying and learning,

Mark

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:24 pm

I checked with my insurance and as long as the doctor wrote a script for a new mask and indicated it was a medical necessity I was able to get a different mask instead of waiting for the turn around time. You might want to check with your insurance and see if that is a possiblity.

I was able to get a Optilife Nasal Mask and I have the F&P 431 that both came from my DME.

I have watched the auctions and have picked up a few there as well as putting an ad on my ISP providers sale ads.

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:19 pm

Mark,

I can't vouch for how current these leak rates are, but you may want to check the leak rate for your mask. http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html

As I understand them, these are the rates that are necessary for proper ventilation of carbon dioxide. The Flexi-Fit leak rate at 10 cm is 39, at 16 cm it is 50. Unlike the ResMed machines, our Respironics don't subtract the leak rate for your mask from the total leak rate shown on the Encore Pro data.

I am confused because, like you, I have an Auto M series machine with a mask whose leak rate on this chart is higher than what I have seen on the data. So how do we know how low we want the leak rate to go? Clearly, obvious leaks do to the mask slipping or not fitting properly have to be addressed. (BTW, the cushions do tend to wear with daily washing etc., and Medicare pays to replace them every three months.)

As for your original thread, I was a lurker who was fascinated by the in depth discussion that ensued. I felt like I had dropped in on some post graduate seminar on breathing, physics and electronics! But like ozij, I was wondering how your therapy was progressing. Thanks for letting us know.

And thanks ozij for revisiting the issue!

Susan

MRH · Post by **MRH** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:33 pm

My leak averages have been pretty close to what the chart says, and none of the large leaks have been showing, but they are still pretty rough lines at that. The nights where I have been even close to the magic 5 ahi number are a lot straighter with less of the peaks. It seems that whenever I get a leak the apneas jump right out. So after seeing some of the pretty flat lines others have posted I think I need to do better! So I will keep working at improving things, and I read the posts here a bunch. There is a lot of good information, from a whole lot of very helpful and knowledgable folks

Thank you everybody for all the help,

Mark

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ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 9:42 pm

Mark,
I'm glad to hear things are heading in a better direction! Keep it up.

O.