A Couple of Questions

[Telle]

What is an acceptable leak rate level for a Resmed S9 CPAP? I knew this back in October when I first got set up.. but I haven't checked my numbers in a long time until recently and am now worried that my leak rate has gotten high.

Also, how often should nasal pillows be replaced?

Thanks for any help!

[Otter]

What is an acceptable leak rate level for a Resmed S9 CPAP? I knew this back in October when I first got set up.. but I haven't checked my numbers in a long time until recently and am now worried that my leak rate has gotten high.

At 24 l/min, Resmed says the s9's ability to distinguish between central and obstructive apnea is compromised. If you can keep it down to 12 l/min most of the time, though, that would be better.

[Telle]

Thank you Otter. I had a leak rate of 9L/min two nights ago and 12L/min last night and couldn't remember if that was high or not.

I've been on the CPAP for 10 months now, and in the past few months I've been experiencing a lot of exhaustion. My doctor has recommended a re-titration for me. I also just realized that I haven't ever replaced my nasal pillows and was concerned that there may be excess leaking because of that, which would potentially cause my treatment to not be as effective as it should be.

[Otter]

Thank you Otter. I had a leak rate of 9L/min two nights ago and 12L/min last night and couldn't remember if that was high or not.

That's not a great, but it's decent.

I've been on the CPAP for 10 months now, and in the past few months I've been experiencing a lot of exhaustion. My doctor has recommended a re-titration for me.

Not a bad idea, but your machine is data capable. Why not take a look and see what's happening? PSG is a wonderful diagnostic tool, but for titration, a lab study has some flaws. You're not in your own bed in your own house with your own cat trying to sleep on your face. You know there's a stranger watching you. And you're wired up like an amateur electronics project gone terribly wrong. Add to that that you're only there one or two nights, and it seems to me that it's crazy not to at least supplement lab data with data from home.

[Telle]

That's why I started looking at my AHI and leak rate data again. However, I don't have the software to look at everything in detail for the course of the night.

They were actually thinking about doing a home study at first, but then decided that because I have a high pressure rate (16) that it would be better to do it in the sleep study lab.

[Janknitz]

Nasal pillows can be replaced as often as TWICE A MONTH (that's the Medicare replacement schedule). People report getting various lengths of use for Swift FX pillows--anywhere from 2 weeks to several months. But 9 months is way too long. And the hallmark of a worn out pillow is increased leakage.

You CAN get the software here (just ask) to be able to read your own data.

[jabman]

I also just realized that I haven't ever replaced my nasal pillows and was concerned that there may be excess leaking because of that.

I beleave it is good to replace your mask( or at least the cushons) at least every six months. They do wear out.

[Telle]

You CAN get the software here (just ask) to be able to read your own data.

Ok, so who do I have to ask?

[Otter]

That's why I started looking at my AHI and leak rate data again. However, I don't have the software to look at everything in detail for the course of the night.

You can download Resmed's software for free here:
http://www.resmed.com/int/assets/html/s ... c=patients

Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try Sleepyhead 0.8 alpha.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sleepyh ... s/Testing/

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65738&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... sleepyhead

[Telle]

You're awesome Otter.. thank you

[Bobby269]

Here's a link to Uncle-Bob. The download is in his signature. memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=38643. The clinical guide is there also.

[ultimatestrap]

Hi....Are you talking leak levels through your mouth? If so you should be using a chin strap. The best one on the market after many trilas and tribulations is THE ULTIMATE CHIN STRAP! Would love to hear back from you...Thanks, mary

[Telle]

Thanks for the help in getting the software guys.

Well the good news is that despite me leak rate getting a little out of control lately (going to call for new nasal pillows tomorrow.. mine are ummm.. old), my AHI is all but nonexistent. From June 1st through last night, it's a whopping average of 0.2 ..doesn't even show up in the graphs. So now I'm doubting that my re-titration is going to help me much with the tiredness I've been experiencing.. because apparently I'm doing just fine with the CPAP now.

[Pugsy]

There can be any number of factors affecting how we feel. Some might be related to sleep and many aren't.
Hours of sleep...fragmented sleep...pain....bed comfort...meds....general health...insomnia...etc.
So time to take a look at other possible causes. CPAP helps with the sleep apnea part but does not so well with outside factors.

[Telle]

That's the frustrating thing. We've addressed so many issues so far... depression, sleep apnea, low vitamin D. All can cause tiredness, all have been rectified, and yet I'm still dealing with this. Had more blood work done recently to check for a cause.. everything came back just fine. So when my doctor suggested that maybe I need to be re-titrated, I jumped at it; 'cause I'm just desperate for an explanation and a cure.

One of the meds I'm on, for high blood pressure, can cause tiredness. I'm currently weaning off of it because my readings have been great and I was on such a little baby dose that my doctor doesn't think it was doing much anyways. So we'll see if getting off of that does anything for me.

My psychiatrist says that the meds I'm on for depression don't cause sleepiness.. and I don't think any changes in them have coincided with changes in how I feel (I've been VERY tired for the past couple of months).

I generally get 7.5-8 hours of sleep each night. It is beyond rare for me to wake up more than to just roll over and fall right back asleep. Although on weekends I find I can easily sleep 12 hours (and still want a nap later).

So, I dunno what's going on, and I just desperately want an answer.