AM I CHASING MASK LEAKS DUE TO IN APAP PRESSURE

[blowhard]

I have been on cpap/apap therapy for 15 years. Recently I purchased a new devillbis intellipap auto. My pressure setting on cpap was 9 on one sleep study and 10 on another. My question to you seasoned apap users could the reason I am having an increased amount of mask leaks due to the the range my new machine is set on? It is set at 6.5 to 14. I have never had this problem before using a hybrid ff mask for some years now until changing to the intellipap. Also does anyone have an algorythym that gives recommended apap settings for person that was on settings with a cpap btw 9 and 10. Thanks for any help or insight you can provide on this for me since my sleep
reports have been terrible and my mornings have also since using this new apap. Thanks for any and all comments.

Blowhard

[LinkC]

The current wisdom seems to be "1 below to 2 above" the titrated pressure. That would make your settings 8-12.

I'm only familiar with the Respironics algorithm (and barely that!), but I'd assume they are similar. Basically they all start at the bottom (8) and step up as long as AHI comes down. If the AHI doesn't improve, it stops there. If AHI rises, it backs off a notch.

Theoretically, you could leave the upper limit at the max and it would never reach that. So I doubt your leakage is caused by the machine "over-running". However, it's possible your optimum pressure is higher than the 9 or 10 you were using on CPAP, and APAP has correctly bumped you up to it. I run CPAP-mode at 16cm because I get better numbers. Every 6 months or so I do a week of APAP 15-18 just to make sure I'm still good.

I have no problem controlling leaks with my Innomed Hybrid at 16cm. I DID have uncontrollable leaks with the Liberty. YFSMV (Your facial structure may vary!)

[Wulfman]

Have you tried using your new machine at the settings you were using on your previous machine(s)?
You really should......to see how well your prescribed CPAP pressures were actually working.

One of the problems with having such a wide-open pressure range is that your mask is probably adjusted to the lower pressure and when the air pressure increases, it won't hold a seal. One would need to set the machine at some higher pressure in that range and then adjust the mask at THAT pressure.

I suspect that having slept that many years with a single pressure machine, the changing pressures of an APAP will disturb your sleep.


Den

[rudyrx]

Thanks to both Linkc and Wulfman for your words of wisdom. Last night after I posted this, I put my lower setting at 8 and upper at 12. After reading this mornings report it improved dramatically and I felt rested. I may have to move my upper pressure up a little since the report said I was a max setting 31% of the night. Also the mask in a new hybrid, but adjusted and tweaked it more which lowered the mask leak problem 50% of the previous night. Thanks again for to both of you for your help. I think the most informed and helpful people exist on this forum and similar ones
I get more info from fellow users of cpap and apap than I ever get from my doc and Resp nurse.
Thanks much,
Blowhard

[rudyrx]

Note to the above reply. Due to extended problems logging in I entered this post under the new user of Blowhard. I am back now as my original posting name or RUDYRX just to clear up any confusion. Thanks again and bold Blowhard will be back to Rudyrx now that the issues are fixed.
Thanks to the administrator for fixing my problem.

[Bigburd2008]

Note to the above reply. Due to extended problems logging in I entered this post under the new user of Blowhard. I am back now as my original posting name or RUDYRX just to clear up any confusion. Thanks again and bold Blowhard will be back to Rudyrx now that the issues are fixed.
Thanks to the administrator for fixing my problem.

Hello RUDYRX. Seems we travel in the same circles. Just purchased a new Intellpap, having issues with leakage at the settings from my M Series and I also had serious issues with logging in. Hope your issues are corrected. Will start working on mine tonight.

Leaking has been so severe that the machine keeps throwing out a "Mask Removed" error message.

[rudyrx]

Note to the above reply. Due to extended problems logging in I entered this post under the new user of Blowhard. I am back now as my original posting name or RUDYRX just to clear up any confusion. Thanks again and bold Blowhard will be back to Rudyrx now that the issues are fixed.
Thanks to the administrator for fixing my problem.

Hello RUDYRX. Seems we travel in the same circles. Just purchased a new Intellpap, having issues with leakage at the settings from my M Series and I also had serious issues with logging in. Hope your issues are corrected. Will start working on mine tonight.

Leaking has been so severe that the machine keeps throwing out a "Mask Removed" error message.

Keep me posted on how you are doing and perhaps we can exchange some pearls of wisdom we stumble upon in this disease we call OSA.
Rudyrx

[DoriC]

You might just be one of those who does better on straight CPAP, leak-wise and AHI-wise. Every once in awhile I set my husband's machine to auto in a very small range(11-13) just "to see", but invariably go back to cpap=12cms as that is where he does best. Whatever you do, listen to the "pros" here.

[LinkC]

Yep, Dori, that's what I do, too.

To make it easier, I have two smartcards. One programmed with my Auto "prescription" and the other with straight CPAP. Then changing the settings is as easy as swapping cards.

(Your siggy is one of my favorite quotes. When Luke Skywalker was learning to use the Force, he told Yoda he would "try". "Do..or do not. There is no 'try'." responded Yoda.)

[DoriC]

Link, you caught me! It is Yoda's quote but I was trying to pass it off as my original , not so easy around here. Thanks for the tip on the 2 cards but I very rarely change the settings and besides, how would I program the cards?