Why am I getting Black Bars on my data?

[volkrt]

Greets All -

I have a Respironics apap and a lot of times now when I am downloading the data I see black bars and gaps in the data.....anyone run across this also? Is the machine shutting off on me in my sleep with out me knowing it? Appreciate any help..ty

This is whay I am seeing

[jules]

you got LEAKS - the black bars are large leaks ---- but you have leak problems besides them

[BleepingBeauty]

Greets All -

I have a Respironics apap and a lot of times now when I am downloading the data I see black bars and gaps in the data.....anyone run across this also? Is the machine shutting off on me in my sleep with out me knowing it? Appreciate any help..ty

This is whay I am seeing

Hi.

The black bars indicate what the machine identifies as Large Leak, and you're seeing an awful lot of it. Your leak line (the blue one lower on the graph) is terrible. It looks like your mask needs some serious adjustment.

Search for posts by Rooster re: the Hybrid mask and fitting tips, as there are many sizing options with the Hybrid. And that can make finding the right combination (oral cushion size, pillows size, the height of the pillows, the headgear adjustments for a good fit) more complicated than it is for most other masks.

So work on fitting your mask so that your leaks are minimal, because you're not getting therapy as it is now. Be patient, but keep working at adjusting your mask until it stops leaking and is still comfortable. You should make final small adjustments to your mask when you're laying down and the machine is blowing at your full pressure (or highest pressure, if you're using a range, as you are).

Hope that helps, and best of luck.

[bdp522]

When the leaks get that high the machine stops recording data. Gotta get those leaks fixed. Here's Roosters thread about the hybrid mask, best fitting tips I know of;
viewtopic.php?t=14422

Brenda

[volkrt]

I forgot to update my profile..i've been using the zzz mask lately......sounds like its time for a new mask type....the hybrid I had leaked worse than this one becasue I tend to move a lot when i sleep.....i've tried some of the nasal type masks with little success.....I like the zzz mask becasue it doesnt have the forehead support but it looks like I need to try something different.....anyone know of a good FF mask without the forehead support? or maybe have some other suggestions I could try because I move around so much?...Thank you again for your input

[BleepingBeauty]

I forgot to update my profile..i've been using the zzz mask lately......sounds like its time for a new mask type....the hybrid I had leaked worse than this one becasue I tend to move a lot when i sleep.....i've tried some of the nasal type masks with little success.....I like the zzz mask becasue it doesnt have the forehead support but it looks like I need to try something different.....anyone know of a good FF mask without the forehead support? or maybe have some other suggestions I could try because I move around so much?...Thank you again for your input

I didn't want a forehead support on a FFM, either. I'm using the new one from Respironics, the FullLife, and it's working well for me. It's the only FFM I've ever used, so I can't recommend any others.

The Activa is touted as a great mask for active sleepers, but it's a nasal mask, and I don't think there's any FFM version.

[volkrt]

Thanks for the reply...I think i'm going to try an hc431 and see how that is.....

[Velbor]

When the leaks get that high the machine stops recording data.

Brenda, I've not seen that before. Is there any documentation, or other posts referencing this? How long does leak have to be at what level to trigger this action? The major gaps are NOT immediately preceded by LL bars. When does data recording start up again? The gap times are quite variable. I'm puzzled by the graphs, and puzzled by your answer. Thanks.

[bdp522]

The large gaps without the black bars may be due to having auto off turned on. The leak becomes so big that the machine thinks the mask is not on you anymore. Not sure if I learned about the black bars here or if it was something I read with the software. I'll see what I can find and let you know.

Brenda