Question: The bottom line is AHI should be < 5 correct?

[WakeUp!]

Hi All,

I was diagnosed as a mouth-breather during my sleep-study and was fitted with a full-face mask. After battling with leaks for a couple of months, I switched to a hybrid mask. The leak problem was better but still existed, and I had to cinch the strap pretty tight thus not very comfortable and I just could not get quality sleep.

Before giving up completely, I made the decision to try the nasal pillows and tape route. So last night I tried the Swift FX nose pillows without taping just to see how it goes. This morning when I looked at the results, my AHI was 0.6, which really surprised me. I'm not sure if it's because I kept my mouth shut or I'm mouth-breathing and still got good results, but I'm thinking I don't need to tape my mouth if my AHI is this low. Am I correct?

Please let me know what you think. Maybe there's something wrong with my S9 settings or I just got lucky my first night? And are there other numbers beside AHI I should be looking at?

Thanks!!

[DreamStalker]

Funny thing about APAPs is that you can't trust the efficacy data UNLESS you are certain that leaks are under control.

[dtsm]

One day is not enough to come to any conclusion. If you were a mouth breather, chances are you still are leaking. What are the other data readings? AHI alone is not enough. I beat you leak line is NOT FLAT.

FWIW, I use nasal pillows, including Fx, LT and most recently Aeiomed Headrest. None of the masks leak but even with tape mouth I can find a way to get leakage from mouth breathing! Fortunately the leakage is relatively small, and with Apap mode, my Ai numbers remain <2.0

[WakeUp!]

But if I'm leaking still, shouldn't my AHI be up? So the question is even if I'm leaking a bit, as long as my AHI is good, is that all it matters?

[dtsm]

But if I'm leaking still, shouldn't my AHI be up? So the question is even if I'm leaking a bit, as long as my AHI is good, is that all it matters?

Patience.....tell us what happens after a few more days. Keep the tape away, stick with Fx and let's see if

1 Ai's (not AHI) remain low......
2 Leak rate is.....?
3 How do you feel with new mask vs old mask?

[DreamStalker]

But if I'm leaking still, shouldn't my AHI be up? So the question is even if I'm leaking a bit, as long as my AHI is good, is that all it matters?

No it is not all that matters.

The machine scores events (AI and HI etc.) based on pressure/airflow variations. If the leak is out of control, it will affect the event scoring.

[WakeUp!]

Thank you guys. I hope I can go without taping. I will report back.

[Janknitz]

You should be able to tell what your leak rate is on the screen of your machine. If it's within tolerance levels for the mask, you managed to keep your mouth closed all night!

SleepMBA is an OSA sufferer and she is a sleep tech. She has a great blog at: http://sleepandcpap.blogspot.com/

She says that, titrated to the correct pressure, almost everyone can use a nasal mask or a nasal pillow mask without leaking. Once you are getting enough air, the need for opening your mouth to breathe diminishes. I think she knows what she's talking about.

If you are feeling well and your numbers are great, then Woo HOO!

[LinkC]

Actually, AHI <5 indicates "effective therapy". Obviously, that's a good thing...BUT your AHI "should be" as low as you can get it and keep it.

<5.0 is NOT OK if you can make it lower.