Leakage with Comfort Gel Nasal Mask

[Alabama Girl]

My first week's average leak rate is 29.2 liters per minute. I have no idea how to understand how much that is in air! Will someone please explain that to me, as well as, what is a normal range of liters?

My AHI is an average of 0.4 - that's good, right? Would anything less than 5.0 be good?

Thanks for your help.

[Goofproof]

Your profile states you have Encore Pro's software, the data from the Dailies in Encore Pro will give you a better picture of your progress, than using data off the Lcd screen. The mask leak rate is a product of pressure and the vent rate, as the pressure goes up the intended leak rate goes up too. A chart comes with the mask that tells you what the leak rate should be with each pressure (avg), any leak rate higher than that is something to work on at lowering.

Off hand your AHI and leak rate seems good, but as they are based on ADV's that may be incorrect, the dailies are much more useful in spotting problems. Jim

[Hawthorne]

Her profile does not say she has the software. it says she has the "Encore Pro smart card". Most every Repironics machine has the smart card. She may or may not have the software and reader. She does, however, have a data capable machine and could maybe buy the software and reader, which could help her more with the leak situation.

[TheDreamer]

Well, that seems to be a bit above the intentional leak rate for the mask

http://sleepapnea.respironics.com/PDF/LeakRate.pdf

However, it isn't a bad rate....my RT has said the machine to compensate for leaks up to 100. Its the large leaks you want to avoid.... And at our low pressures, I'm sure there's plenty of room for the machine to compensate.

Getting reports can be helpful....could see if its a uniform line at that level, or a bunch of leak spikes. The PDF does say there can be variance due to manufacturing....there's probably also small amounts from other parts of the mask (the twist connect on my current nose pillow is a bit lose, though its >6 months old...so its probably due for replacement....however, in the last week, my average leak each night has varied from as high as 31 to as low as ,last night's, 24)....

First night after I messed up my right arm....


Last night....


But, with the low AHI report, I might not worry so much....likely to not be these kinds of nights....

4th night on CPAP


7th night on CPAP


Note that I started with OptiLife and now currently use ComfortLite 2 nasal pillows. But, I did use the Profile Lite for a couple of weeks....and during that period I recall my average leak was higher (~35). Though my AHI numbers were good, and I was feeling good in the morning. Until my doctor made me stop using CPAP for 2 weeks, to deal with MRSA infection of nose bridge sore.....

The Dreamer

[harry33]

the comfortgell can be resized to give a better fit, with careful elastic strap adjustment I have no leaks at all, see the instructions

[Goofproof]

Her profile does not say she has the software. it says she has the "Encore Pro smart card". Most every Repironics machine has the smart card. She may or may not have the software and reader. She does, however, have a data capable machine and could maybe buy the software and reader, which could help her more with the leak situation.

In front of her encore Pro smart card it says software, I realize many list that when they don't have the software, that's a forum problem. The machines also come with a electric cord, we are lucky there isn't a option to list it too, some would. What I was trying to bring to the forefront was if you have Encore You should list it listing the smart card is a waste of time, unless it can be used with the software.

Her leak rate isn't too bad, unless the added leak is the result of large leaks or mouthbreathing, if so the AVG data doesn't show if she is getting correct treatment or not. The software can give you that info, so you can make better choices. Jim

[Alabama Girl]

There's really no need for sarcasm, Goofproof. My smart card is listed in the software drop box, so I thought that was the most fitting category.

I have changed it now. No software listed & the smart card listed in Additional Comments.