Mask leaking?

[WestCoastCdnGrl]

Hi.

I was just wondering how one is to know just how much a mask leaks during the night?

I'm new to CPAP (got my machine on December 13) and using a ResMed S9 Autoset with a Mirage Quattro full face mask.

I feel like I'm getting a good mask fit... no obvious leaks (I can feel the odd leak when I'm asleep but it's easily remedied with a bit of poking at the mask).

However, when I went to my DME for a check up, the info on the SD card indicates a continual leak (likely from a not quite perfect fit)... nothing too severe, as I'm still receiving the benefit of treatment, but a leak nonetheless.

I was just wondering if any of you wise CPAPs have any tips on how I can tell if the mask is leak chronic throughout the night or not? I suppose that I can guage the fit in the morning via the amount of water left in the humidifier and compare it with how it rates with other nights (2 nights ago, the water tank was empty, while last night, I hardly used any). Mis-fits/knocking the mask off my face episodes are obvious, as the feel of the air rushing out of the leak is usually enough to wake me up but I was just curious to know if there was any other way to tell, seeing as I don't think that I've been having very many fit problems.

Thank you in advance for any and all help you can offer!

[Janknitz]

I was just wondering if any of you wise CPAPs have any tips on how I can tell if the mask is leak chronic throughout the night or not?

Why not get the software and learn to monitor the leaks yourself (or you may be able to do it "on board" your machine without the software)? Then YOU will know when you are leaking, whether or not the leaks are significant (they may not be, but the DME may not understand that), and as you try fixes, YOU will be able to see if they work instead of depending on the DME.

It's YOUR health, YOU should take charge.

Start by doing some searches here about how to access and interpret leak data for your machine.

[sol]

Quattro is notorious for leaks ,u could try different type of mask from DME till u found the right mask that seal well and comfortable and good luck in this regard .to view daily data from machine press and hold info @ set up buttons for 3 sec, look for the thread from sleepnationtv to view video about all need to know about S9.

[robysue]

WestCoastCdnGrl,

Which S9 are you using? If you go back to the user control panel in the upper left corner of the window and select TEXT instead of ICON, it helps us out since all S9's look alike.

If your S9 is an S9 Elite or an S9 AutoSet, then you can get the 95% leak rate off of the Sleep Quality report each morning---provided your DME turned the Sleep Quality setting to On instead of Usage. But if your S9 is an S9 Escape or an S9 Auto Escape, then the only data it records is the usage data.

Can you check which machine you have and change your equipment to TEXT instead of ICON. And if you are using an S9 Elite or an S9 AutoSet, tell us what happens if you press the Info button AFTER you get up, but BEFORE noon. What kind of information do you see? That will let us know if the DME turned Sleep Quality to On or to Usage.

[sleepnationtv]

The easiest way to tell how the mask is fitting throughout the night is to hold the two silver buttons down together in the morning. This will bring up the statistics which has the mask fit indicator if it is green you are good if it is red you have a signficant leak.

We have put together a video that explains all of the features of the S9 series. http://www.sleepnation.tv/post/2337667545/resmeds9

Enjoy,

Also if you have any other questions you can email us at sleepnationtv@gmail.com

Dane Schapper

[avi123]

With your ResMed S9 Autoset, have you done the Mask Fit test?


P.s. this morning, I have posted this post questioning if those leak values that the CPAPs tell us could be accurate:

Most CPAP machines do not use a sensor to measure the pressure inside the mask. So how could they estimate mask leak accurately? If I am correct that you can't accurately estimate the mask leak during treatment, without taking a measurement at the mask, then all those fency statistical data are sort of for the birds?

Recent patents applications by Resmed do talk about pressure sensors at the masks. This in addition to flow sensors at the blower outlet. Such arrangements would require either electrical wires or pneumatic tubing going from the mask to the CPAP controller.

Latest machines by Resmed do offer a Mask Fit feature whereby a 3 minutes static cycle is devoted to mask leak testing. But it seems that nothing yet on the pressure sensors, mounted on the masks, for monitoring the leaks over time.

Puritan Bennet GoodKnight® 420E Auto-CPAP System does offer pressure measurement at the mask, "for a precise measurement and better patients comfort". See such an air hose with an inner pressure sensing tubing:


http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-tubing- ... bipap.html

[bobbiesue2]

I had the same issue and quietus linners resolved the issue. Good Luck!

BobbieSue2

[CPAPABC]

I have a full face mask.
I took a fluffy towel – cut it to fit from ear to ear & forehead to chin – cut a hole for my nose to stick out – put over eyes, mouth & nose sticking out, put mask on and no more dry eyes, dry mouth, leaks or wierd noises.

[cortez356]

duplicate post

[cortez356]

Personally I think that determining mask leaks is easier than what was posted above. Before you are asleep run your fingers around the outside of the mask. On the Quattro check by the bridge of your nose. Listen for leaks. Sometimes you can hear air and sometimes whistles. Of course this does not help with leaks that occur when you are asleep. I have the same machine , an S9, but I also have the software. You can see the graphs and it shows when the leaks occur. Like many others I could not get the Quatttro to stop leaking. Have you tried any other mask. I have had good success with both the Swift FX ( they make one just for gals as well) and am loving my Activa LX. Very few leaks. Start with the software. You can find it at no cost! I too am a newby and I am sure some of the pros will offer more ideas.

Bob

[Big S]

Just a quick note since I see so much about this mask. It took me about 4-6 weeks to get the MQ under control. My wife and I made jokes about the wind noise that found its way out. I could actually control the leaks and flapping enough to make a musical instrument out of it. I didn't know about this site at that time and if I did, I probably would have canned it a long time ago. The sad thing is that I started to figure it out (for me). Several others have also figured it out on this site and you can probably find with a search or I'm sure RG can list all related threads. (I really think you could do this RG, but I'm just kidding). It now is my main mask and I honestly don't think I'll change it until I meet my deductable. As a retired engineer and lifetime data person, the first thing I check in the morning is whether or not my eyes feel sore. Then I check the summary data. My eyes tell me whether or not I got rest and if I need more sleep. The data summary is often a curiosity that is filled with anomalies and mysteries and if I really have a problem, I will post. More often than not, it doesn't agree with what I feel, unfortunately.