Do I worry about leak averages?

bairdbeth · Post by **bairdbeth** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:38 pm

Okay. Since I started using Encore Pro, I have had good AHI. Highest is 2.0, but even that was just 1 apnea and 1 hypopnea event the whole night. No matter what mask I use, the leak rates have been higher than what the manufacturer lists as normal. I just switched to the CL2 which seems to be the mask for me(although it has been only 2 nights) Both nights have low AHI. 1st night 0.0. 2nd night 1.o with just 1 hypopnea the whole night. If these numbers remain low, should I worry about the leak rate? For CL2 it should be 28. Mine have been 90% average 39 and 46 and 0 minutes of large leaks. Thanks for any advice!

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 1:59 pm

yes you should be concerned with leak rates especially if they exceed the flow chart range that came with the mask.

When the leak rate exceeds that flow chart, it means you are leaking between the cushion and your face OR you are mouth breathing.

If you are mouth breathing then your cpap therapy pressure goes out your mouth and does nothing to address your AHI.

But if your AHI is remaining below <5 then I would not worry too much about it.

your 30-day average will be a more accurate representation of what you are getting in both AHI and leak.

HP · Post by HP » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:05 pm

I wonder.

If you have a large leak, is the CPAP compromized as to it's ability to detect the AHI. If so, then will it be fooled into reporting a better picture than what's really happening?

bairdbeth · Post by **bairdbeth** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:18 am

Isn't mouthbreathing recorded as a large leak? I am pretty sure I am not mouth breathing. My mouth is not dry when I wake up, nor do I have a sore throat. My tongue is very large and with the pressure, I have to really push it down to get air in or out of my mouth.I have woken up with my lips parted, but no woosh of air as my tongue is plastered in place.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 4:05 pm

Yes, mouth breathing is often recorded as Large Leak, but other kinds of leaks are as well if they are bad enough. Doesn't look like you had any, though, since your Large Leak was 0.

But yes, you should be concerned about those leak rates - your AHI could possibly still be lowered, and for some people, the difference between an AHI of 0.8 and an AHI of 0.1, means a difference in feeling good or not feeling good (this is my particular experience). For others, it doesn't make a difference - but it might for you.

Either way, you need to get those leaks under control. It IS possible you're mouth-breathing - even if you wake up with your tongue locked in place, that doesn't mean it was like that all night. What I would do is, first, examine the fit of the mask you have. Where are you feeling air besides the exhaust? There should be no air coming out from anywhere else. Check ALL the joints and connects of the mask. Make sure there is no leaking around other areas. Check the connects between machine and humidifier and hose. No leaks there, right? Then, if all that's okay, let us know here. If this is the case, you're (most likely) left with mouth-breathing. To test and see if you do, I would suggest taping just for a few nights to see if it makes a difference in your leak rate.

After you've tried all that, if you still have such high leak rates, come back and post again. We'll figure it out somehow!

bairdbeth · Post by **bairdbeth** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:01 pm

Thanks! I will check all connections and I am going to try the large pillows tonight to see if there is a difference. I also got a hook and scrunchie today. I thought maybe the pull of the hose on the mask might be contributing?