Correlation of Leaks to AHI level anomaly

[Idget]

I had thought that the lower I would get my leak level down the easier it would to bring my AHI level down. Initially I had through the roof leak levels until I used Mack's silicon ear plugs. My AHIs at that time were between 9-20. Mack's brought the leak level down considerably, but still had AHI too high. Raised the pressure from 15 to 16 and had some success but still had AHI from 5 to 10. I finally raised my pressure to 16.6 and had my first 0.0 AHI night. However, my leak rate has risen (not to initial through the roof levels though) as my AHI has lowered. What is the correlation between leak levels and AHI levels? I noticed even with leaks at medium of 22 and high of 56 I had better results with AHI then when my medium was 12 and high of 20. I suppose the higher pressure is more important than the leak level. My levels have remained steady at 16.6 no matter what the leak level was.

[mindy]

Hi Idget,

As your pressure goes up, your leak levels will also - physics!

So, if your AHI is going down and leak level up, I would guess that maybe you're increasing pressure which would, if needed, drive down AHI and increase leaks.

Make sense?

Mindy

[Idget]

Yes, it makes sense, and that it what I suspected, but just want the "experienced" cpapers input. I can put up with increased leaks and resulting noise (leaks around nose pillow) if my AHI goes down. I also suspect that some of the results of lower AHI is sleeping on my side. I started to sleep again on my side.

[billbolton]

What is the correlation between leak levels and AHI levels?

The point of getting leak numbers down is to minimise leaks as far as possible, so that the effect of the flow setting on your airway can be accurately assessed.

If the leak levels are high, then it gets difficult to determine how much of the treatment that any particular flow rate can provide is actually being "applied" to your airway!

If you are getting good AHI numbers and moderate leak numbers, and the remaining leaks are not disturbing your sleep, then CONGRATULATIONS.... you are in a good treatment delivery zone!

Cheers,

Bill

[Country4ever]

Hi Idget,
May I ask how your leak rate was helped by wearing earplugs?

[mindy]

Oh my ....

Not laughing at you, Country4ever, just laughing at the idea of wearing earplugs to help leaks!

I can see why that post would lead one to a strange conclusion!

Idget is referring to the specific earplugs which are actually silicone putty. You can take one of those and pull some off, roll it into a long string and use it to seal around mask.

I've heard of it being used for FFM's but last night I tried using it with a nasal pillow for which no size would seal correctly - works incredibly well!!

Mindy

[Idget]

Yes, I use earplugs! Actually, they have been the reason I haven't shaved off my beard. Only way to get a real good seal with a short cropped beard is to use the flattened bead on the mask. works like a charm.

[Country4ever]

LOL! Now I get it! LOL!
I was having all sorts of weird images in my mind.....trying to figure that one out! Thanks for enlightening me!