High Leakage With Nasal Pillow?

jsmott · Post by **jsmott** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 3:42 pm

I use the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillow system and have been experiencing a high leak rate recently and am not sure why. At the begginning of July I started recording the efficacy data results from my ResMed S8 Autoset Vantage. From July 5 through July 20 the leak rate was under .24 L/s for all but 3 of those nights. For the last 4 nights my reading have been right up around a quite unacceptable .50 L/s and I can't figure out exactly what's causing the problem. I feel I've been adjusting the mask no differently than before. Also, I'm taping my mouth every night. Does anyone reading this suspect that the S8 may not always record leakage accurately? Also, I'm a combination back / side sleeper. As a result I've run the hose up over the top strap that was suggested in an earlier thread in this forum. BTW my AHI's have also gone up the last 3 nights to around 10 from an average of around 6 earlier in the month. Anyone have any suggestions?

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:02 pm

Pillows are probably NOT leaking but you have started to mouth breathe.

When you mouth breathe the therapy air used to stent your airway goes out the mouth and does nothing. It shows up on the machine as mask leak as it cannot tell the difference.

Try taping your mouth with some paper medical tape, sometimes it can prevent it.

But when your leaks get that high the machine cannot respond properly to events it does see so it impacts therapy.

jacko · Post by **jacko** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:16 pm

Yeah I suspect that the s8 might not record a lot of things accurately
When you wake in the night and go back to sleep
regards Jacko

jsmott · Post by **jsmott** » Sun Jul 23, 2006 4:33 pm

Thanks for the advise Snoredog, but I am taping my mouth. Have been for the last month. Any other ideas?

maskjkie · Post by **maskjkie** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:23 pm

jsmott wrote:Thanks for the advise Snoredog, but I am taping my mouth. Have been for the last month. Any other ideas?

If you don't mind using nasal pillows (I assume that is the case since you are using the SWift). I suggest giving the new Hybrid mask a try. In my opinion, it is a better solution than using mouth tape or chin strap and most patients I have titrated seemed to tolerate it better than standard FF masks.

inacpapfog · Post by **inacpapfog** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:31 pm

If you are sure that the mouthtape is holding tight and not allowing any escaping air, then perhaps the nasal seal is getting broken during the night as you toss and turn?
From what you describe air seems to be leaking from somewhere. Be sure to check your hose for leaks, Also, check to be sure that there is no leak around the nasal barrel seals on either end of the Swift.

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:06 pm

When I use my Swift, I find differences in leaks if I clean the pillows differently. Different soaps, skipping a cleaning, etc., all can have an impact. The grease that normally accumulates on skin can interfere with a good seal. Some cleaning sessions take the grease off better than others. Different soap, different water temp, etc.

Just an idea...which may or may not have any relevance to your own problems.

Moogy

Snoozin' Bluezzz · Post by **Snoozin' Bluezzz** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:18 am

Moogy wrote:When I use my Swift, I find differences in leaks if I clean the pillows differently. Different soaps, skipping a cleaning, etc., all can have an impact. The grease that normally accumulates on skin can interfere with a good seal. Some cleaning sessions take the grease off better than others. Different soap, different water temp, etc.

As Moogy said, I've found the same to be true. The other thing I have found is that when those leaks in the Swift began I intuitively tightened up when, in fact, I needed to make sure there were no facial oils on the pillows and perhaps I needed to loosen the headgear just a tad.

For daily cleaning I use a spray bottle of 1 part vinegar and two parts water, spritz, wipe. and rinse thoroughly. I stopped having nightly leaks with this regimen and making sure the pillows weren't too tight.

David

jsmott · Post by **jsmott** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 7:29 pm

Thanks for the advise on cleaning the nasal pillows. Must admit I've been negligent in this respect for the last week. I'll do a thorough job tonight in this dept. before hitting the sack. The vinegar and H2O spritzer sounds interesting. I may try that as well. Wish me luck!

Mask