How's my Leak Rate?

[harwich]

I have been on APAP for 37 days now. After a adjustment period, I'm used to the machine and have switched masks twice. For the last two weeks my AHI is 0.8. My mask leak rate is Median 0; 95% 7.8: Max 27.6. There have been a couple of times I have removed the mask without turning off the machine but only for several seconds Twice the hose disconnected from the mask while I was sleeping but not for very long and about five times a night I stick my finger under the mask seal because of a itch.
I know I should get my leak rate as close to zero as possible. Is my current leak rate acceptable? My AHI appears to show I'm getting good therapy. The pressure on my machine is set from 8 to 20. My median pressure is 8.3: 95% is 10.3 and Max is 11.6

Thanks,
Mike

[LinkC]

There is no real criteria for an "acceptable" leak rate.

But you DO seem to be getting great results for 37 days into therapy. If you are happy with the rate and--more importantly--the AHI then it's acceptable.

[rested gal]

The numbers look good to me.

Sounds like your therapy is going well for you, harwich. Good job.

[robysue]

My mask leak rate is Median 0; 95% 7.8: Max 27.6. ....
I know I should get my leak rate as close to zero as possible.

There's a point of diminishing returns involved here. The ResMed engineers are clearly happy with your leak rate---after all you're seeing Mr. Green Smiley Face day after day after day.

And that max leak rate (and most likely that 95% leak rate) are both easily explained by activities that can largely be described as necessary (scratching your nose) or at least understandable (taking the mask off and then turning the machine off a few seconds later).

There are two kinds of leaks that must be dealt with:

1) Leaks large enough to compromise your therapy

and

2) Leaks which are uncomfortable enough to disturb your sleep, regardless of how large or small they are.

Your numbers clearly indicate your leaks do NOT fall into category 1. And your description of your leaks seems to indicate they do not fall into category 2. In that case, I think you can stop worrying about trying to get your 95% and max leaks to drop to 0.0 on any kind of consistent basis. You probably will be lucky enough to have the occasional 0.0-0.0-0.0 leak days. Celebrate them, but don't worry about trying to make them the norm.