leak issues

[Bons]

How much leak should I worry about? My RT and former doctor told me not to "obsess" about leaks, even the ones that set the mask farting and flapping, unless they register as "large leaks" on the bipap. I noticed that my leak rate is always higher than the acceptable leak rate listed for the mask, though. For example, this morning at a pressure of 10 when I woke up, my leak rate was 44 and the acceptable leak rate for the mask is 33 - I can only imagine what it is when the pressure goes higher while I'm sleeping (still working at buying the software but won't until the new doc has a chance to view my old records next month in case he switches my machines, since I know he prefers resmed and I wouldn't mind leaving my ASV or phillips respironics). I didn't notice any air coming from around my chin during the night, which is my usual leak source. For what it's worth, I don't check the leak rate a lot, but the mask's been flapping lately and I tried a few fixes last night so I wanted to look at it this morning.

[Janknitz]

I think leaks ARE a problem--you are not getting adequate pressure or the machine has to go very high to deliver the correct pressure when you have a significant leak. Some machines (not sure about Remstar) initially LOWER the pressure when there's a leak to try to give the mask a chance to reseat--that may affect your AHI. And, it's darned uncomfortable to have your mask farting like that.

If you are relying on the "large leak" data on the screen on the machine, consider what it takes to register even a 1% leak in a 7 or 30 day average reading. 1% of your usage time in 7 days means you have to have had a large leak at least 30 or 35 minutes long --that's going to skew your data and may mess with your AHI's.

That's very different than "obsessing" because the acceptable leak rate is 36 lpm, but you've hit 40 lpm twice in a night for a few seconds.

BTW, where are you seeing the leak rate of "44"? Does the BiPap show LPM on the screen? On my machine, all you can see is the % of large leak for 7 and 30 day averages. If you have 44% large leak, you might as well be sleeping in a jet plane wash.

[Madalot]

BTW, where are you seeing the leak rate of "44"? Does the BiPap show LPM on the screen? On my machine, all you can see is the % of large leak for 7 and 30 day averages. If you have 44% large leak, you might as well be sleeping in a jet plane wash.

I don't want to Hijack this thread, but this has been a big question for me, one that I have finally addressed via email with a different Respiratory Therapist. On my ventilator, it has a HUGE screen that lists leak rate in l/m. My initial RT said that as long as it was under 60, it was fine. I try to keep it in the 30's most of the time, but I know it sometimes gets way up there.

The OP's equipment may be one that lists the leak rate more like my equipment does -- but I don't know.

[Bons]

Yep,
My bipap ASV shows the leak rate on the screen for every inhalation and exhalation . I can't access AHI, but I know the leaking. It's set up as if a professional was monitoring it in use - it can send an alarm for an apnea event, but it doesn't keep a count of them (for that I'd need the software).

[sister]

Hi, I too have always had leaks and have been unable to get them down. I understand that the leaks effect your data,but I also have been told by my sleep center,'you will have some leaks,don't worry about them'.
i told my dr. that I was concerned,he said,don't worry about numbers,how do you feel?
I am still concerned but don't know what else to do at this point.
Good luck to you!

[Madalot]

Yep,
My bipap ASV shows the leak rate on the screen for every inhalation and exhalation . I can't access AHI, but I know the leaking. It's set up as if a professional was monitoring it in use - it can send an alarm for an apnea event, but it doesn't keep a count of them (for that I'd need the software).

If or when I hear back from the Respiratory Therapist, I'll let you know what he says about the leak rate. The screen on the Trilogy Ventilator is pretty big and very easy to read. I make sure my numbers are in the 30's before I turn over to go to sleep. But I have been concerned that this is NOT accurate as far as where the leak numbers should be.

[Stetson]

My lekas were horrible on the S9 with a Fisher P mask. I went a Resmed mask and it went to 0. I personally think different manufacturer have different leak rates built into there machines.