Avg. leak rising, AHI falling...update...humidifer problem

[MurphysLaw]

The past week my average leak rate has gone up from the low 30s to the high 40s. My APAP runs generally at a pressure of 8-10, sometimes going up to 11 or 12 (rarely). C-Flex is turned off. Each night the leak line is fairly level, but each night that steady line is getting higher. My AHI has dropped down to 0.0 for four nights in a row (hooray! ), but the leak rate is higher than ever. I don't understand it. Can anyone explain? I don't think I'm sleeping with my mouth open. The mask is five months old. It's an OptiLife, with a posted leak rate of 23.1 at pressure of 10cm H2O. During mid-week I changed to a new set of nasal pillows, but am using the same old headgear. The nasal pillows don't seem to be leaking. Could there be a leak elsewhere that I don't know about, possibly the hose?

Average leak for the past week: 29.0, 32.0, 32.0, 40.0, 47.0, 45.0, and 48.0.

Any help is appreciated.

Lynne

[Goofproof]

Think of the XPAP system as a pipe, if fluid it running out the end of the pipe too fast, and the pressure in the pipe is supposed to send flow signels back to the pump for control functions. Don't you suppose the excess flow would mask the control feedback. That's why with a excessive leak rate the data numbers can show up incorrect (lower). That is also why with excessive leaking the pressure trapped in your airway, becomes less that whats needed to keep your airway open. Jim

[MurphysLaw]

Thanks, goofproof. But, now I'm more worried than ever. Here I thought I was getting effective therapy with low numbers but I may not be getting therapy at all. I checked the hose for leaks and there are none. I don't know what to do.

[GumbyCT]

When the leak rate goes up the sensors in the auto are not able to sense events you are having. It prob is your mouth. Have a FFM to try? I feel around with my hand before I go to sleep. Don't look for exotic things before checking the simple things.

The past week my average leak rate has gone up from the low 30s to the high 40s. <snip> Each night the leak line is fairly level, but each night that steady line is getting higher. My AHI has dropped down to 0.0 for four nights in a row (hooray! ), but the leak rate is higher than ever. I don't understand it. Can anyone explain? I don't think I'm sleeping with my mouth open. The mask is five months old. It's an OptiLife, with a posted leak rate of 23.1 at pressure of 10cm H2O. During mid-week I changed to a new set of nasal pillows, but am using the same old headgear. The nasal pillows don't seem to be leaking. Could there be a leak elsewhere that I don't know about, possibly the hose?

Average leak for the past week: 29.0, 32.0, 32.0, 40.0, 47.0, 45.0, and 48.0.

Any help is appreciated.

Lynne

[MurphysLaw]

No, unfortunately I have only this one mask. I've felt everywhere and only feel air coming directly out of the vent holes on the front. I might turn on C-Flex tonight and see if I notice any difference. My numbers were lower when I used C-Flex. It was comfortable for me but the machine whistled terribly with it turned on. I'll give it a shot.

[Goofproof]

The reason your numbers are lower with C-Flex on is, C-Flex lowers some of the pressure during exhale, making your pressure a little lower overall avg. That also will trigger less leaking. Jim

If no FF mask Taping is the next best solution.

[MurphysLaw]

I'll try going back to the C-Flex. Taping scares me but I know many of you do it and are fine with it.

[GumbyCT]

You have to check for leaks at FULL pressure (NO ramp) and while laying down before going to sleep.

Adjusting straps at a lower pressure is misleading.

[MurphysLaw]

You have to check for leaks at FULL pressure (NO ramp) and while laying down before going to sleep.

Adjusting straps at a lower pressure is misleading.

That's good to know. I don't use ramp at all. My velcro isn't as sticky as it used to be. That's probably not helping.

[MurphysLaw]

Yesterday, after my leak rate going through the roof, higher each day (up to 58 with a nearly straight line across), I ordered a new mask and hose. The Velcro was decrepit and it was time to go. But last night when I turned on my machine, my humidifier started yelling at me. Apparently the seals were displaced and getting worse. Carefully I adjusted them and, lo and behold, my leak rate dropped down to 26 last night.

Thought I'd post this in case anyone else has this puzzling problem. My heated humidifier is the newest design with the J-shaped filler tubes.

[Ms Piggy]

I've just had the same problem - My machine, PB420, leaked, at times, between the soft connector and the machine humidifier unit which plugs into it. At times it worked all night, sometimes, sneakily, only the first part of the night. It took me a while to realize what the problem was. I fixed it with a new connector as the old one appeared to be unreliable. Initially I blamed the headaches on my mask.

[MurphysLaw]

Ms Piggy,

I'm so glad to hear that someone else has a similar problem. I hadn't seen the humidifier being blamed as a source for leaks. People are taping this, taping that, and switching masks. I love my mask and was sure that it wasn't the source of my leak but couldn't pinpoint the problem until the humidifier gave a holler. Good thing it did.

Lynne