Leak Rate vs. Flow limitations

[forest]

Hi,

I have noticed in a lot of my data that there is a trade off between leak rate and flow limitation. That is, when there is a larger leak rate, flow limitations don't get detected. When there is a good seal, and a low leak rate, suddenly the flow limitations get detected and the CPAP is much more responsive, fluctuating pressure accordingly. Leak rate is below the red line, but significant.

Obviously low leak rates are ideal, but 'pimple farms' and accordant remedies prevent a perfect seal. All this to say, I'm afraid I'm not getting good data and treatment because of the leak rate and corresponding bad data.

Thoughts?

[palerider]

are you normally under 24lpm 'leak' on sleepyhead?

do you get mr happy face or mr frowny face on the sleep quality?

if you're getting mr happy face, then the machine thinks it's got the situation under control.

[robysue]

Obviously low leak rates are ideal, but 'pimple farms' and accordant remedies prevent a perfect seal.

A mask liner may help with this issue.

You may also need to change the timing of your facial care routine for the pimple farms. If you could do all that stuff well before bedtime, it might allow the face a chance to "dry out" before you put the mask on.

A mask liner might also help minimize irritation caused by the mask and in the long run that may help in managing the pimple farms.

[forest]

So the leak rate is about 10 L/min so technically it's OK, but I do see a correlation between Leak Rate vs. Flow limitations. I'm investigating mask liners, but still have a suspicion that it's tough detecting flow limitations without a very low leak rate.