Leaky mask driving me nuts

[KSMike]

It does - thanks!

[KSMike]

Follow-up: I tried a new position with the mask. Much lower on my face, so that my nose could better fill the bridge area of the mask. That put the bottom of the mask further down on my chin, but tightening down the lower straps a little more seemed to make that OK. I wouldn't say it was perfect, but it was either 1) much, much better than the two nights previous, or 2) I was so exhausted it just didn't matter anymore . Anyway, it was enough better that I'll do the same tonight and see if I can get two nights in a row.

I did use the SleePAP pillow for the first time and think it may indeed have helped. Not necessarily a panacea, but possibly one more factor in a successful equation. I also found it to be more comfortable than it looks .

I really need to find a learning resource for EncoreViewer. Most of those graphs make no sense at all to me.

[Wulfman]

It's pretty simple, really. The top section shows the pressure during the night. The next section shows what events may have taken place (little colored tic marks) and the bottom section shows the leak chart. Right hand part of the report gives the data in summary form and indices. Bottom section shows AHI at different pressures with an Auto (you don't get that chart with straight CPAP)

Den

[KSMike]

What is meant by "Average 90% CPAP?" And how would they define "Large Leak" and "Average Leak?" What are the numbers on the X-axis of each graph?

I should do some searching on this particular subject before I hassle you with the questions. I'm sure they've been asked a few dozen times.

[Wulfman]

What is meant by "Average 90% CPAP?" And how would they define "Large Leak" and "Average Leak?" What are the numbers on the X-axis of each graph?

I should do some searching on this particular subject before I hassle you with the questions. I'm sure they've been asked a few dozen times.

Actually, probably "hundreds".

90% pressure means that you spent 90% of the night AT or BELOW that pressure. It's NOT that you spent 90% of the night at that pressure. ResMed machines use 95% for their number.
Large Leaks are identified by black lines for their duration......although I don't SEE any on that particular chart even though it shows one for 10 min. Essentially, they're when the mask gets out of whack during the night and the pressure needed is higher than it can keep up with. During Large Leaks, the only thing that the machines WILL record are snores.
Average leak is one of the things to keep an eye on.....and the leak line. The smoother the better, but some erratic behavior is OK as long as it doesn't get really out of hand. Autos (APAPs) will go crazy when leaks and snores become a self-feeding problem. The Average Leak number is the one you hope stays close to the manufacturer's "Vent Flow Rate" (known leak rate at various pressures).

Den

[KSMike]

OK, that gives me a terrific start on understanding the data. I'll do some searching and if needed, start a new thread. Thanks - once again!

I wonder if anyone has considered putting together an overview of how to interpret the data from the main manufacturers, and making that a sticky.

[KSMike]

After two consecutive "pretty good" nights, last night was a nightmare. I tried everything that had proven to help up until now. I finally took the thing off a little after 3am and slept on the couch. Leaks out the top, out the sides, out the bottom... even though it's a large, it's almost like it isn't big enough.

I don't know how I'm ever going to get to the bottom of this leak problem once and for all, and continue to be employed in the mean time. Very frustrating.

[Debjax]

Yes, that's the one I used. #5 is 3 3/4" to perhaps 3 7/8". My sense of it is that the large is the right size. I've got a pretty large head with everything spaced proportionally.

I didn't consider that the seal needs to be able to expand. I may have been creating my own problem (exactly the kind of thing I feared might be happening) by tightening it, having leaks, tightening more, etc. When I say I tightened it, I mean tight. Like, head-in-a-vise tight.

My husband has that mask, the doctor told him to turn his machine on FIRST, then put the mask on and the pressure would help him get the mask on correctly for the seals. He started doing that and his leak rate improved considerably. (don't have the reader yet, but I'm not hearing so many face farts).

[georgepds]

New user here, just had 3rd night on CPAP. Mask is listed below. On the first night, I had virtually no problem with leaks. 2nd night, I seemed to have more trouble, and resorted to tightening it up more which seemed to help quite a bit, but it sure was tight. ..

I found it helps to loosen the mask. That way the flexible seal can more readily deform to the contour of your face.

I also find, when I do this, it sometimes leaks near the top of my nose. To counter this I just put my hand on the mask near the bridge of my nose

[luke]

An update here as well....I've been trying the Pap-Cap for the past few nights and I think I like it.
It doesn't allow the mask to move around as much. The leak lines are better but it will take a while
longer to get used to it I think.


Bill

[KSMike]

My husband has that mask, the doctor told him to turn his machine on FIRST, then put the mask on and the pressure would help him get the mask on correctly for the seals. He started doing that and his leak rate improved considerably. (don't have the reader yet, but I'm not hearing so many face farts).

OK, that's something I haven't tried. I'll give it a shot. BTW, I sent you a PM.

I found it helps to loosen the mask. That way the flexible seal can more readily deform to the contour of your face.

I also find, when I do this, it sometimes leaks near the top of my nose. To counter this I just put my hand on the mask near the bridge of my nose

Yeah, by now I've tried both ends and most everything in between, from loose to tight. I'm pretty sure I would not be able to keep my hand on the bridge once asleep.

An update here as well....I've been trying the Pap-Cap for the past few nights and I think I like it.

Thanks, I'll check it out!

Thanks to everyone on this.

[rogier40]

Its not mentioned often, but when you get the mask and headgear pretty much there, go back and double-check that the
top and bottom straps are of equal length. I've found that after all the pulling, tugging, etc. a final adjustment to make the
straps to make equal does the trick.

[KSMike]

Thanks Rogier40. If I ever get them right, I'm going to put a force field around them and never touch them again.

[Guest425]

Since you are using a ResMed mask, try calling ResMed directly and ask them if they can send you a sizing guide (for free) because it sounds like you are using the wrong size. They're customer service is more than helpful and may be willing to answer any other general questions. They have a toll-free #

Good luck

[Wulfman]

Since you are using a ResMed mask, try calling ResMed directly and ask them if they can send you a sizing guide (for free) because it sounds like you are using the wrong size. They're customer service is more than helpful and may be willing to answer any other general questions. They have a toll-free #

Good luck

Or, you can download the template from their website:

http://www.resmed.com/en-us/assets/html ... u=products


Den