Tweaking help???

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:27 am

My call for help is probably a repeat of many others. I am using the comfort gel, size petite. I am also using the mack's silicone on the outside and the mask seems very air-tight when I start out. It is firmly placed and I feel no leaks. Every morning my leak rate is around 31-32 and AHI's in the 2. something range. I am hoping for some more idea's on how to stop these apparent leaks during the night.

I do not have my card reader yet. It is on order, so can't really "read" anything yet.

In the meantime anyone have suggestions on tweaks to try?

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:03 am

Brooke,

What is your pressure? A leak rate in the low thirties doesn't sound bad to me in general. However, it also depends on what the graph looks like over the night. IMHO, you'll need to wait until you can see the data to determine that part. If your leak rate is in that range all night, then it seems to me it's just fine. If it goes up and down and the high end goes in the 70s and 80s, then you've got a problem.

My leak rate was in the low thirties and occasionally twenties when my pressure was around 10. At 13, I'm running around 40. It can also be mask dependent.

Mindy

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:05 am

Leak rates are only meaningful if we also know the pressure. If your pressure is in the 13 range, that leak rate is fine.

O.

Warbird · Post by **Warbird** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:09 am

When you go into deep sleep, your mouth may drop open and let the air pressure flow out your mouth. Search mouth taping on this site and see if that doesn't solve your problem. i hope you get it resolved.

Warbird

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:13 am

My pressure is set to 10.5 on straight cpap.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:14 am

As others noted, your correct allowable rate depends on your treatment pressure. Also keep in mind that since you are using a nasal mask, leaks can occur even with a perfect seal between your mask cushion and your face ... when asleep, you cannot know if you are leaking from your mouth.

Having said that, leaks in the 30's are not likely to be too big a deal for your mask and an AHI of 2 is not that bad. So just wait til you get your card reader and software set up.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:07 pm

I do tape my mouth shut every night just because.. not that I am a mouth breather. I do understand that movement can make a difference, it just feels that it is nice and firmly settled on my face, when I go to sleep and wake up.

My card reader was finally shipped out today. So hopefully soon I will be able to finally see what is going on for sure.[/i]

Tweaking help???

Tweaking help???

Could be mouth leaking.