My numbers are still to high! What to do?

[atruvirgo]

I am using a M Series CPAP Machine w/CFlex . Pressure is at 7.5. I wear a nasal mask. I have been recording and reviewing my numbers and they are terrible!!!!!
For the past 3 weeks my averages are:

AHI is 8.2
Avg Mask Leak 81.7
Avg 90% leak is 46.1
Avg Leak 37.5
Avg Lg Leak 1.8 mins.

I am finally getting about 5 hours a night of therapy. It was only 2-3...I am persevering but, these numbers are horrible. My pressure is a straight 7.5 w/cflex. My AHI is only 12 w/o CPAP.
This is not much of a difference!! What am I doing wrong???

[cflame1]

concentrate on fixing your leaks... do you ever have the machine on without being masked up?

[Pugsy]

Agree. Look at the leak rate. Look at your actual leak report see if it is all over the place. Not sure what you mask's normal vent flow is but I bet it is well under what you are seeing especially with a relatively low pressure. If the mask is always on your face when machine is on, then a huge leak is going on. If machine is on and you remove mask and let the machine blow (like bathroom break) it could mess with the leak rate averages.

[atruvirgo]

Agree. Look at the leak rate. Look at your actual leak report see if it is all over the place. Not sure what you mask's normal vent flow is but I bet it is well under what you are seeing especially with a relatively low pressure. If the mask is always on your face when machine is on, then a huge leak is going on. If machine is on and you remove mask and let the machine blow (like bathroom break) it could mess with the leak rate averages.

I never run the machine without a mask on. I had one time where it measured a 20 minute leak but, in that instance I had removed the mask in my sleep. Most nights it doesn't indicate large leaks.

[Pugsy]

If the 20 minute leak time was included in the averages you posted then those averages are a bit skewed and we can't trust them.

Can you isolate a couple of nights numbers that do not include the large leak and see how it is? A large leak like that will mess all your numbers up.

[DreamDiver]

I never run the machine without a mask on. I had one time where it measured a 20 minute leak but, in that instance I had removed the mask in my sleep. Most nights it doesn't indicate large leaks.

Even if the mask isn't leaking, you are very probably leaking through your mouth. Some people use tape to cover their mouths. Others use polident to seal their lips shut. The most effective method is to try a full face mask with a chin-strap like the PapCap.

If you're absolutely sure your leaks are addressed, it may be worth turning off the C-Flex. My numbers dropped dramatically when I was using the Respironics M-Series Pro and dropped C-Flex. Others have reported similar results.

Lastly, if you already have C-Flex off, try increasing your pressure by one. Wait a week or two between pressure changes so your body has a chance to acclimate to the new setting and to see if AHI is lower. Increase it again in a week or two if your results are good. There may be a point after which AHI increases. At that point you'll need to back off the pressure. If you experience aerophagia, you'll need to reduce your pressure and look for other things that could be causing high AHI:

1. excessive booze
2. excessive food too late at night

Note: I am not a doctor - this is my experience from one user to another as someone who is familiar with your machine.