Sleepweaver leak rate

[allinknots]

Hi! I haven't posted in ages, so please forgive me!

I recently purchased the Sleepweaver mask, with the newly redesigned headgear. The mask is quite comfortable, that's why I'm dying for it to work for me!

I read the adjustment tips, watched the video, etc. and tried the different tips. Still I have a couple problems with it.

1. My leak rate is approx .34, on my ResMed S8 (I can get down to a .08 leak rate when I use my Swift mask, but I'm looking for an alternative to use when my nostrils are stuffy. I can't use the nasal pillow mask on those nights.) And that .34 leak rate was not on a nasal congestion night.

I also tried other desperate measures--using first aid tape to tape the sides of the mask to my face; used an Ace bandage to wrap around my head to hold the headgear on even more securely, etc.

Suggestions?

Do most of you have a similar leak rate with this mask?

Thanks,

All in Knots

[n0hardmask]

Hi! I haven't posted in ages, so please forgive me!

I recently purchased the Sleepweaver mask, with the newly redesigned headgear. The mask is quite comfortable, that's why I'm dying for it to work for me!
1. My leak rate is approx .34, on my ResMed S8 (I can get down to a .08 leak rate when I use my Swift mask, but I'm looking for an alternative to use when my nostrils are stuffy. I can't use the nasal pillow mask on those nights.) And that .34 leak rate was not on a nasal congestion night.
I also tried other desperate measures--using first aid tape to tape the sides of the mask to my face; used an Ace bandage to wrap around my head to hold the headgear on even more securely, etc.
Suggestions?
Do most of you have a similar leak rate with this mask?
Thanks,
All in Knots

howdy, Knotts
do you have any noticable leaks, like blowing a stream into your eyes? I have a SW mask made a year ago, and one made shortly before their last improvement a month ago. My best numbers are almost 3 times yours; 0.8 and up on both S7 and S8.
I do find it stays sealed the best when I use my chinstrap; seems to keep headgear from slipping around so much. I think the SW mask probably leaks more like a FFM thab a nasal, so I set my mask type to the FFM choice. It doesn't actually change anything, except it makes it look better so I won't bother about it.
Others will likely chime in and it will be interesting if somebody actually has the newest, with the re-improved seal?! Comfy sleeping.

[Elle]

If you have to make all those adaptations it doesn't seem worth it to me but I am happy to hear first hand reviews on all masks. I was wanting this one but might wait now.

[xenablue]

SleepWeaver released a new version just a few weeks ago, which apparently addresses all the leak issues people have complained about, however you need to keep in mind, that it's not going to be perfect for everyone.

I love the SW mask, and have one waiting for me at my DME when I'm eligible at the end of April.

Yes, I find my leak rate with this mask is much higher, but I've gotten it down so it hardly goes above 24L/m, but it sits at that level most of the night. My AHI is always below 1.0 and I feel like I've slept like a log, so IMHO and according to the tech at the DME that's the important thing.

At first I panicked about the leak rate, but once I got over that and managed the cold air stream into my eyes and above my lip, I slept much better.

IMHO this mask is well worth messing with to make it work - the comfort factor is incredible if you're a side or stomach sleeper.

Stay with it!

cheers,
xena

[jen4700]

At first I panicked about the leak rate, but once I got over that and managed the cold air stream into my eyes and above my lip, I slept much better.

Xena - what did you do to "manage" the leaks? I tried it on for my titration study but it blew off my face so I didn't want to mess with it even tho I really wanted it to work for me. Any details would be much appreciated!

[jwerley]

HELLO THERE.....I JUST POSTED ABOUT DAYTIME SLEEPINESS AND HEADACHES. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I STARTED ON THE NEW AND IMPROVED SW MASK...I LOVE IT!!! HOWEVER SINCE I STARTED USING IT I HAVE HAD THE ABOVE PROBLEMS. I DO NOT NOTICE MUCH LEAKING EXCEPT WHEN MY AUTO PAP GOES TO ITS HIGHEST SETTING, THEN IT SEEMS TO BLOW OUT......SO I TIGHTENED THE MASK A BIT AND THAT STOPPED........SO I DON'T KNOW YET IF IT IS WORKING FOR ME OR NOT.....AS I DID NOT HAVE THESE HEADACHES OR DAYTIME SLEEPINESS WITH THE NASAL PILLOW SWIFT FX. IF THE SW WORKS FOR YOU, I THINK IT IS THE BEST THING GOING!!!
GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

[xenablue]

Jen, one thing I found that helped a lot was to make sure your skin is very clean, with no moisturiser in the area on your face that the SW sits.
I also spend a few minutes before laying down, tweaking the mask so the eye leaks stop and this usually involves loosening the top strap, but I slightly tighten the side ones to stop the leak above my lip.
Sometimes I wear a padded sleeping mask which holds the mask in place near my eyes.

I love this mask so much that I'm willing to try anything, and as my AHI is so low, I 'allow myself' to live with the leaks if they don't keep me awake.

Can't wait to try the new and improved version in a couple of weeks though!

Cheers
xena

[allinknots]

I just ordered/rec'd the sleepweaver mask from cpap.com. The site says it's the "new and improved seal," so I'm assuming that's what I rec'd.

I did try the tips about adjusting the mask a little to the left, then a little to the right after it's already on. It feels like there is a slight leak out towards the bottom/sides of the mask. I guess I'm concerned that if I have a leak rate at .34, then maybe I'm not getting enough pressure due to leakage? I'm really not sure when one needs to worry about that? I know that the less it leaks, the better, but what is too much?

I'm also having an issue with the air feeling cold. I'm super sensitive to cool air, I hate it! Does this bother anyone else? How can I warm up that air and use this mask?

Outside of those two complaints, I do like the mask! I like that it is comfy, and that it feels more like a scarf than like being smothered by a plastic cup. And I think it will be easier to breathe with when I have a cold, and cannot use my nasal pillow mask. (You'll hate hearing this: when my nostrils are congested, I go without cpap, because I cannot get enough air through the pillows, and I haven't found a non-pillow mask that is comfortable enough to allow me to fall asleep with.)

So please, please help me troubleshoot this Sleepweaver! Please?!

Begging,
All in Knots

[Elle]

I don't know the answer but there will be someone along who does.

I am wondering how this mask vents?

[allinknots]

I do find it stays sealed the best when I use my chinstrap; seems to keep headgear from slipping around so much. I think the SW mask probably leaks more like a FFM thab a nasal, so I set my mask type to the FFM choice. It doesn't actually change anything, except it makes it look better so I won't bother about it.
Others will likely chime in and it will be interesting if somebody actually has the newest, with the re-improved seal?! Comfy sleeping.

I didn't change the mask setting to full face mask, but like you said, it doesn't really change anything. Are you concerned about having a .8 leak rate? Not trying to criticize, just wondering if that is too high? I've always had a (self-imposed) goal of keeping my leak rate under .20. (A seasoned cpaper on this forum helped me to come up with that number when I began cpap.)

I didn't exactly try it with a chinstrap, but I did rig up an Ace bandage in a similar manner, but the leak rate was the same.

ARRGggh!

Please keep the suggestions coming!

Thx,
All in Knots

[Pugsy]

ResMed S8 machines report excess leak in L/sec...to get it to L/min which is common term now..multiply by 60 seconds. They subtract the mask vent/intentional leak before reporting.

ResMed's line in the sand where they say that up to that amount of leak the machine can compensate well enough is 24 L/min....on the S8 machine this is 0.40 L/sec. So 24 L/min is Resmed's red line in the sand that we want to avoid.

ResMed mask selection choice on the S8 machines...they say for masks that are made by someone other than ResMed....choose standard in the mask selection. Sleepweaver mask selection should be standard.
The mask selection choice will affect the leak rate reported a little bit because varying vent rates are subtracted prior to reporting leak. Full face masks typically have a higher vent rate...if you choose a full face mask in the mask selection then the machine will subtract a little more for the vent rate at whatever pressure you use and the reported leak rate may be slightly falsely lower than it really is. Not a big deal if you are well below the 24 L/min or 0.40 L/sec line but might be a big deal if someone is already spending most of their night with a leak near 24 L/min.

[allinknots]

Thanks for the explanation, Pugsy. My machine is set for the standard mask, so it looks like the leak rate is borderline acceptable per your explanation. (I didn't get out the pamphlet to research out the expected leak rate and do the subtaction.)

Now to the other issue: Any hints on how to warm up the air in the mask? Does cold blowing air bother anyone else?

I actually plugged in a heating pad and put it near the air intake port on the machine, in a tent-like fashion, taping the heating pad togehter at one end to help trap the heat. It did help a tiny bit, but not much. Plus, I'm not sure it's the safest idea to do this, plus it would be inconvenient to duplicate this set-up when traveling. There's got to be a better way. Suggestions? Or is everyone else ok with cold blowing air?

Thanks so much!,
All in Knots

[Pugsy]

Heated hose for the cold air if the humidifier is not supplying enough warm air.

I got this one last November when I was using the PR S1 APAP and having ice cube nose with humidifier at highest setting and the hose cozy wasn't enough warmth (I like cold bedroom)
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/hybern ... -hose.html

Or a really good hose cozy might be enough to help. A thin one probably wouldn't insulate well enough.
Padacheeks makes some really nice ones. I have one but it wasn't quite enough to get rid of the ice cube nose because I like a 55 degree bedroom.
http://www.padacheek.com/PAC_Hosecover.html

Using a heated hose eliminates the weight of the hose cozy if that is a problem.

The new S9 machine have a heated hose available built right in and highly adjustable.

Heated hoses like the Hybernite are stand alone and work with just about any machine. Not adjustable but I didn't find that to be a problem.. I went all winter with no hose cozy..high humidifier setting...cold bedroom and had zero rain out and no more ice cube nose. Well worth the money I spent.

[allinknots]

Thanks, Pugsy,

I apologize for omitting something: I do have an "Aussie heated hose," and it seems to still be working. I also sewed a hose cozy for the sleepweaver lightweight hose to help insulate it.

That being said, I do not crank up the heat of the humidifier very high. I thought that would maybe give off too much humidification? (I usually have it set at level 1.5.)

The air is comfortable when I'm using my nasal pillow mask, but if I switch to anything other than a nasal pillow mask, the air is so cold that it keeps me awake, more effectively than caffeine! (Hey, I would never have a problem giving up coffee, I'd just need to walk around all day with a cpap blowing cold air on my nose in order to keep me awake.)

Are the newer heated hoses more effective than the Aussie heated hose?

I'm a little behind-the-times in cpap world. I was faithfully using my cpap awhile back, but then I stopped using it for a reason I'd rather not share--it is so lame, that I'm sure everyone on the board would be furious, lol! Anyways, what's most important is that I'm BACK, re-acclimating to it. Thanks for understanding!

All in Knots

[Pugsy]

Hmm..ice cube nose even with the Aussie heated hose..only thing else to try would be turning up the humidifier a bit. I happen to like and need lots of humidity so that is why I do what I do. I breathe better with lots of moisture. Some people actually get more congested with more moisture so that has to be watched.

Otherwise..increasing room air temp is about all I can think of to help with the ice cube nose with the over the nose masks. I have never used anything but the nasal pillows and the ice cube nose I had with them.

I am now using a ResMed machine and the heated hose that comes with the new S9 machines.
It might allow for a wee bit more warmth than the Hybernite did but not a huge amount more and remember I wasn't using over the nose mask.
I have never used the Aussie hose to compare with the Hybernite. I know if the Hybernite gets covered by the bedding by accident...it gets so warm it is uncomfortable. So no hose cozy or it gets too warm.