average leak rate

I'mSewTired · Post by **I'mSewTired** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 9:36 am

I have been looking into my average leak rate, and wrtoe about this in the: "Well last night was my turn for frustration " topic.

After taping my mouth last night, and having a higher leak rate I feel that I do NOT have mouth leaks

I will change my hose and see if this brings down my leak rate. I have found that it is very hard to find a whole in a hose. It was not until I got my humidifier that I found a whole in my other hose. I thought I heard a hiss sound with this hose once, but at that time did not have a replacement. I think the moisture in the air helps you to be able to hear the air leakage.

Also, remember when compairing leak rate, the higher your pressure the higher your leak rate. It is possible that different mask have different expected leak rates, I am totally sure on this point.

Information from my flexiFit 407 paper:
pressure/flow
3/18 5/24 7/28 9/32 11/36 13/39 15/42 17/45 19/48 21/50 23/53 25/55

th · Post by th » Tue Aug 16, 2005 11:05 am

I always wanted to know what was a good leak rate also. So I called Respironics and got tech support from Tony(Respironics) Tony said you want anything under 45. I told him my leak rate ran in the low 30's and my wife's run in the upper 20's....He said both of those are Excellent numbers. I hope that helps. Good luck with your leaks........

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rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:18 pm

tech support from Tony(Respironics) said you want anything under 45

Interesting. I know this is going to sound awful, but.... since the Respironics masks I've tried have all been so apt to leak.....I wonder if "anything under 45" is the way Respironics kind of dismisses leakiness.

When my mouth air leaks are completely controlled with either the DYI mouthguard device, or with tape over the lips, I get leak rates in the mid to low twenties, and often down in the "teens" - with any of my favorite, best-fitting-on-me masks - Aura and Breeze and Ultra Mirage FF. Oddly (or maybe not so oddly LOL!!) none of those masks are made by Respironics.

If I see anything in the mid or higher 30's on my Encore Pro software's leak average, I consider that a leak worth working on.

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:36 pm

rested gal wrote:.... since the Respironics masks I've tried have all been so apt to leak.....I wonder if "anything under 45" is the way Respironics kind of dismisses leakiness.

If I see anything in the mid or higher 30's on my Encore Pro software's leak average, I consider that a leak worth working on.

You took the words right out of my mouth.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 3:45 pm

As I posted in the other thread, all masks will show a leak rate because of the exhaust port. And as the pressure rises on an auto, usually the leak rate will too. If i'm having a high pressure nite, I have to strap my FF down tighter.

I'mSewTired · Post by **I'mSewTired** » Tue Aug 16, 2005 5:54 pm

loonlvr wrote:As I posted in the other thread, all masks will show a leak rate because of the exhaust port. And as the pressure rises on an auto, usually the leak rate will too. If i'm having a high pressure nite, I have to strap my FF down tighter.

Yes, the higher the pressure the higher the leak rate.

A copy from my earlier post:
Information from my flexiFit 407 paper:
pressure/flow
3/18 5/24 7/28 9/32 11/36 13/39 15/42 17/45 19/48 21/50 23/53 25/55

I was not so much concerned with my leak rate, it looks high, but not when looking at my pressure, average 13.? with a 90% rate 16.?. I spend a good deal of time at 16.

I did wonder what a leak rate chart was supposed to look like. But, as that my leak rate was not lower with my mouth opened, and my hubby has never "caught" me with my mouth open, I will guess I don't open it. And with my high pressure, I know that it would make a difference!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:11 am

Okay. I looked at my leak chart today and it wasn't pretty. See below, please.

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The funniest thing about it is, I had no apnea events at all last night I think for the first time, yet the leaks look constant during the night.
Any idea what can be causing this? I have none. My masks seems great, don't feel any. Yes, I have been known to mouth breath with the Swift, but ALL NIGHT LONG? I just don't get this. Any ideas, my fellow CPAPers who are so knowledgable???

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 7:43 am

Oops, that was the first time I wasn't signed on. Last post "Guest" was me.

See what happens when you clear your browser and cache???

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 8:15 am

I would like to see both leak and pressure charts together.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:10 am

loonlvr,

The pressure is straight 10 cms. It is set on auto, but I have the high and low numbers both set at 10.

If that wassn't what you were referring to, let me know. I'll be happy to send you whatever would help. Thanks for your help.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:17 am

Well, if your AHi is .6, I wouldn't worry about it. It really doesn't matter as long as you feel no leaks and they are not bothering you and your AHI is SO low. I'd kill for one under 10.0 consistenly.

Sleepless on LI · Post by **Sleepless on LI** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 9:21 am

loonlvr,

I know and I am SO grateful to have such a low AHI. Believe me when I said I am SO grateful . And last night especially, with zero apneas, is so exciting to me, my BP will probably rise (LOL). But I just looked at that and said, "What is going on here?" It should have SOME straight lines, no? Maybe it is the amount of mouth breathing I'm doing, and I did order the Dr. Sue device. I guess I'll wait till it arrives and then see if it changes the leakage report at all.

Thank you so much for all your help. And I will say a little prayer that your AHI falls below 10. Did you try turning off your CFlex? I think that helped mine, unexplainably.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:13 pm

Thanx for the encouragement.Since I use a FF mask(yuck huh) I can't really say about the mouth leaks.But I guess you are the inquisitive type like me huh? As for myself, believe me, I have tried everything since feb. when i got my Remstar Auto to lower and get consistent with my AHI.. So now I may try the 420e which apparently reacts to the big clusters I have of apneas better. They seem to last 1-2 hrs and the rest of the nite is pretty good.So 95% of my apneas occur in the usual one cluster.And they occur about the same time each nite. About 2 hrs into sleep. So very weird.

loonlvr · Post by **loonlvr** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:15 pm

Guest was me lol

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:47 pm

Normal REM sleep starts about 90 minutes into sleep.
O.