The Daily Blowdown

[Drowsy Dancer]

Now, on to the leak rate. I have no idea why it spiked, but my AHI dropped to its lowest point yet. Should I be worried about the leak rate when my AHI continues to drop? Are leaks a bigger problem than just making therapy less effective?

I think (I hope one of the grownups will correct me if I am wrong) that, if the leak rate is too high, the data from the machine are no longer reliable. IOW that low AHI may be a "false negative." Lemme check to see what your machine is and if I can find info about it in a thread search.

OK, just as reference here's some stuff on mask leak rates (not precisely what you're asking but may have some eventual relevance): viewtopic.php?f=1&t=38224&p=334193&hili ... ed#p334193

This is specific to the S8 and I see you have an S9, but it suggests to me that the royal road to knowledge for you is to look in your clinical manual (not the stupid user manual that came with your machine): viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10594&p=89253&hilit ... med#p89253

If you need help finding the clinical manual: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57964&p=545412&hili ... al#p545412

DD

[Pugsy]

Should I be worried about the leak rate when my AHI continues to drop? Are leaks a bigger problem than just making therapy less effective?

Yes, as DD has mentioned. High leak can cause the machine to throw up its hands and go shouting "hey man, I am not even going to score events"

While we often do see events being scored when there is a large leak, because the events sneak past the defenses, we just can't rely on data that is scored during a large leak. Look at your daily detailed graph and see what that leak is really doing. Might have been huge for a hour or two and the rest of the night not so bad. If all over the place all night.. then there might be a problem with data.

If the large leak is only for an hour or two, just toss those hours out your mental window. While it isn't good, not much can be done about it now and all you can do is try to figure out what is going on and not let it happen again.

If uncertain about leak and results, post the daily graph and we can offer ideas.

[TalonNYC]

Well, the leak rate went up with the hybrid. I'm going to try the nasal mask again and see if it goes back down.

Honestly, Organic Chemistry was easier for me to get a hold of LOL

[TalonNYC]

Ordered a FFM (Mirage Quattro) w/ rush delivery. So nasal and chin strap tonight, FFM for a while. I'll continue to experiment with the hybrid, as it is soooo comfortable, but I need a couple of good weeks before I can stand another leaky night while I figure out the fitting =)

[natethegreat]

Hi Mike, been keeping up on your progress and ha a question for you:

Do you have any facial hair like in your avatar? I only ask because I suffer from seasonal allergies (yay spring! ) and have to wear a mask while plugged up. I am beginning to think that my goatee and facial scruff is causing my mask to leak. I refuse to shave because every time I do I break out pretty badly and look like I'm 15

Hope you have good luck with the switch,

-NTG

[TalonNYC]

Yes, I have the goatee still, but not the beard scruff. I'm fearing that's what is happening with my hybrid mask, and as such I'll have to go FFM to compensate. There are threads in here saying that FFM's seem to do better with beards.

If I shave, I apparently look like a child molester (that comment from two different people last time I tried to go clean-shaven) and as such I'm going to avoid that option...

[DreamDiver]

Yes, I have the goatee still, but not the beard scruff. I'm fearing that's what is happening with my hybrid mask, and as such I'll have to go FFM to compensate. There are threads in here saying that FFM's seem to do better with beards.

If I shave, I apparently look like a child molester (that comment from two different people last time I tried to go clean-shaven) and as such I'm going to avoid that option...

I've got a ultra-mirage (UMFF), the Quattro ffm and a hybrid. They work about equally well, so long as you get the right size. They also each have their own unique quirks, but the UMFF and the Quattro are the most popular masks available, according to CPAP.com. I also like the ZZZ. It's currently my go-to mask, but I still do like to use the other masks for a few days every now and again so I don't get 'mask face'.

[TalonNYC]

I was going to stick with either the nasal mask of possibly get a set of nasal pillows, but for the next couple of months my nose will be clogged. I hate nature.

[Drowsy Dancer]

I hate nature.

Highly overrated, isn't it?

DD

[PtownKev]

I really WANT to like nasal pillow masks--they're very comfortable and lightweight, but they're leak-city for me. Had good luck with the Micro Mirage nasal mask but it gave me huge welts and zits/blisters on the sides of my nose...very painful and unattractive! Today I received a ComfortGel nasal mask and it seems super soft and comfy so I'm hopeful! Sounds like you've gone through the gamut of masks too. One day we've got to stumble upon the right one!

[TalonNYC]

thanks Kev, just 2 masks so far, with number three arriving shortly. The comfort gel nasal doesn't sit well for me, but I many folks swear by it.

[PtownKev]

Well I'll let you know how the ComfortGel goes--tonight will be the first night, but it feels very comfy. I don't mind the added size of the nasal masks and they feel a lot more secure on my face than the nasal pillows. My leak graph is also flat as a board with the Mirage Micro and it was all over the chart with both the Swift FX and the LT. I'm hoping that the softness of the ComfortGel will be the missing piece of the equation because the edge of the Micro digs into the sides of my nose. I'll be interested to hear what you think of the full face mask. I'll probably have to get one to have on hand eventually, in case of colds or allergy attacks.

[TalonNYC]

4/1

AHI 5.1
Leak 1.2

Well, with the nasal mask back on, my Leak Rate dropped a significant amount, but my AHI went up a bit. I think with the full face mask coming today (unless the snow screws up the delivery) I might be able to get both under control.

What I learned: I definitely need to use EPR when I'm using the nasal mask. I woke up halfway through the night feeling like I was completely stuffed up, EPR removed the sensation. If the Hybrid was any indicator, this won't be a problem with the FFM, as I've only felt that sensation with the nasal mask so far.

[TalonNYC]

4/2

AHI 9.1
Leak 10.0

I think I'm indeed finally getting a good reading. When my leak levels are low, my AHI is over 5. I've turned EPR off, and increased pressure to 13cm/H2O (up by 1) and will examine the results at those levels for the next week to see how it works. I am limiting myself to one set of changes per week, so that I don't get into the rut of fiddling with things every day and skewing the results. Last week - for those who lost track - was 12cm and the hybrid mask.

What I learned: The Quattro Mirage is a great mask. I find it comfortable to wear, and the leak rate is lower than the hybrid. As I said before, not giving up on the hybrid, but I want to stabilize my OSA first before I experiment with it further.

[roster]

I refuse to shave because every time I do I break out pretty badly and look like I'm 15

You don't say, but it could be that you have pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) in which case you can find some advice in this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudofolliculitis_barbae .

If you decide you do want to shave, I highly recommend this razor http://www.personna.com/personna/blades ... mp-fighter . Some men also find using an electrice razor minimizes PFB.