Determing mouth breathing via EncoreViewer?

[bootz]

Hey everyone I have been on CPAP for about 2 years now. I have gone through various masks - started out with a nasal mask, switched to full face mask, and finally to nasal pillows (Swift LT) and have stuck with the LT because it gives me the highest compliance (very few "mask yanks"). I also upgraded to an M Series Auto A-Flex machine so that I could record my progress.

My numbers are usually relatively good - Average AHI usually 1.0 - 2.0. I feel like complete crap the next day if I forget to use CPAP. However I'm still kind of bummed that a full night using CPAP doesn't give me the burst of energy I used to have 5 years ago before I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Like I said I really like the Swift LT but I'm worried that mouth breathing may be holding back my progress.

I'm currently using Auto CPAP with a range of 8 - 10 (my 2 sleep study results have diagnosed me in the 8.5 / 9.5 range). My average leak rate isn't terrible (31 - 39 average) but I do have spikes into the 50-60 range that last for 30 minutes or more (followed by sub-30 leak rates for hours). The 50-60 range does seem like a high leak rate for my pressure but the report never shows it as a large leak, in fact I've never had a large leak in the 6 months that I've been recording the data. What do other Swift LT users think?

[Goofproof]

You have a leak problem.... Papers come with your mask that have a chart that tells you how many cm's the mask vents at your pressure. anything above that is a leak that needs correction, you can't get it all but you should be close. If you look on your dailies under pressure, you should see where your baseline should be, above that base line is leaking , below means tyou blocked the vent like with the pillow. Tape can stop the mouthleaks also a FF mask that fits will can, chin straps for the most part are money wasted. jim

[bootz]

Thanks, that is what I figured. My only question then is shouldn't my AHI be higher? My AHI is usually below 1.5 which seems to be very low.

[Wulfman]

Thanks, that is what I figured. My only question then is shouldn't my AHI be higher? My AHI is usually below 1.5 which seems to be very low.

The event detection is probably compromised if and when the air is leaking out your mouth.
In actuality, your therapy is being negated and that's why you're not getting the benefits from it.
Either tape/seal your lips shut or get a full face mask.
It could also be that your pressure is a bit low, too.
Another explanation for not feeling better is that you're using your machine in a range of pressures and the pressure changes during the night are disturbing your sleep......especially if they're trying to chase all that leaking. Try using it in CPAP mode at ONE pressure.

And, after two years of CPAP use, I'm trying to figure out how a person could "forget" to use their machine.

Den

[Goofproof]

Until the leak problems are corected the data isn't viable. First fix the leaking then, worry about the AHI data. changing the treatment pressure with out valid data is a shot in the dark, and if you raise the pressure all you will get is more leaks. Jim