Sudden Leaks...after 4 years

[daveasu]

After 4 years of AMAZING CPAP therapy, I started having random nights of high leaks (the frowny face on the front of the machine)
These became more often, and now it's every night for the last 2 months.
I'm a side sleeper, and up to leak rates on MyAir of 50 to 60 L/min. Full face mask is making a lot of leak noises and sleep is almost impossible.
I've had some weight gain over the last year, but that's all I can think of that might be different.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

[Pugsy]

When was the last time you changed the headgear and/or cushion?

[Pugsy]

Have you looked at the leak graph itself using software?
If you are in big leak all night long that might mean a hole in the hose or something wrong with the mask.

[D.H.]

When was the last time you changed the headgear and/or cushion?

Excellent question! If the mask (or any piece of it) is really four year old it's time for a replacement!

[Pugsy]

Excellent question! If the mask (or any piece of it) is really four year old it's time for a replacement!

Not just from the obvious age standpoint but if the mask cushion is brand new it might be defective. Wouldn't be impossible to get a mask/cushion with a manufacturer's defect somewhere. Rare of course but not impossible.

[D.H.]

Excellent question! If the mask (or any piece of it) is really four year old it's time for a replacement!

Not just from the obvious age standpoint but if the mask cushion is brand new it might be defective. Wouldn't be impossible to get a mask/cushion with a manufacturer's defect somewhere. Rare of course but not impossible.

If this is the case, it probably started when something was replaced or very soon thereafter. If nothing changed, then it's probably related age or wear on the equipment.

BTW, also check the hose and the water tank, and the machine itself.

[Pugsy]

There's also the seals in the humidifier section.

That's why I asked about the leak graph itself. A steady big leak line all night might mean something related to seals or something.
But and up and down leak line where it goes down to near 0.0 and the increases points to it's working part of the night and not all of the night which leans towards mask issues and not hose or seal issues.

[daveasu]

Pugsy & D.H. Thank you for the responses!

I did replace the headgear cushion on the mask, but it didn't seem to help much. Mask itself is about a year old.

I've been using Remzzz cloth full-face mask liners for the last couple of years and they are great.

I did download Sleepyhead, but not sure how to interpret all of the graphs. A screenshot of the ones from last night are attached.

Thanks again

[Pugsy]

You do have short periods with no real excess leak so I doubt it is a hole in the hose or a seal problem in the humidifier.

How's the facial hair....any change in that area?

Does this mean headgear and cushion or just cushion?

I did replace the headgear cushion on the mask

[Julie]

I have found that even a small change in weight can make a big diff. to how everything fits and works... seeing as you mentioned it.

[daveasu]

Total facepalm moment last night.....

Ok, you know how just explaining a problem to someone can help you come to a solution on your own?

Well, I have never liked getting new headgear, because it seems that it takes me several nights to get the straps back right again. It was about 2 months ago when I got the headgear, and it looks like I had 2 of the top straps too tight. This was causing the mask to ride up somehow, and thus causing leaks all around the top and sides. How in the world I didn't connect the dots....Last night I loosened the straps and the mask stayed right where it was supposed to be....this morning back to the green smiley

Long-term stats - http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=405 ... 4858074305

[daveasu]

I was totally convinced it was time for a new machine

[Snoregone Conclusion]

Total facepalm moment last night.....

Ok, you know how just explaining a problem to someone can help you come to a solution on your own?

Well, I have never liked getting new headgear, because it seems that it takes me several nights to get the straps back right again. It was about 2 months ago when I got the headgear, and it looks like I had 2 of the top straps too tight. This was causing the mask to ride up somehow, and thus causing leaks all around the top and sides. How in the world I didn't connect the dots....Last night I loosened the straps and the mask stayed right where it was supposed to be....this morning back to the green smiley

Long-term stats - http://s000.tinyupload.com/?file_id=405 ... 4858074305

In software development, there is something known as “Rubber Duck Debugging” where the premise is, if you can break it down to the point where you can explain it to a rubber duck such that it could understand, you’ll have worked it through your mind to the point new insights happen, often leading to a solution presenting itself.

[palerider]

In software development, there is something known as “Rubber Duck Debugging” where the premise is, if you can break it down to the point where you can explain it to a rubber duck such that it could understand, you’ll have worked it through your mind to the point new insights happen, often leading to a solution presenting itself.

In all my years working with "software developers" (of course, when I was in college, we just called ourselves "programmers"), I've never once encountered any of them mentioning this concept... and frankly, I think I'd be a little concerned about any of them that were having a discussion with a Rubber Duck. (unless that's a euphemism).

[Snoregone Conclusion]

In software development, there is something known as “Rubber Duck Debugging” where the premise is, if you can break it down to the point where you can explain it to a rubber duck such that it could understand, you’ll have worked it through your mind to the point new insights happen, often leading to a solution presenting itself.

In all my years working with "software developers" (of course, when I was in college, we just called ourselves "programmers"), I've never once encountered any of them mentioning this concept... and frankly, I think I'd be a little concerned about any of them that were having a discussion with a Rubber Duck. (unless that's a euphemism).

Rubber Duck Debugging