Still very tired

I posted regarding AHI here about a month ago and learned a lot. Thanks to Nan I now can see my data every day. I am still waking very tired and I think i am waking up a lot at night. I have noticed my leak rate seems to be pretty high compared to the calibrated leak shown for the mask. I am using a respironics comfort gel blue mask. According to my average pressure it should have an average leak rate of 28lpm but the leak rate is running around 42. What is causing this? how do I fix it? My leak rate has been quite a bit higher in the past, I tightened the mask straps up a bit more last night to get the 42lpm rate.

Mouth Breathing

Mouth breathing or mask movement or combination of both.

Some of the upwards movement on the leak graph is when your pressure goes up because as the pressure increases the vent rate increases.

The machine can handle these low level leaks though...large leak territory on your machine is up around 90 L/min so while the leak line isn't real pretty...it's considered acceptable.
Now if it is possible those leaks are causing arousals or wake ups...then we would want to try to improve just to hopefully help sleep quality.

To know for sure if that's mouth breathing...you would need to spend some time with the mouth taped to make sure that there's no chance of the mouth opening. It is possible that the mask movement is contributing to the leak numbers.

Thanks Pugsy, I am going to continue with the mouth tape for a bit.

If you tape your mouth and the tape stays secure then you can eliminate mouth breathing as the leak culprit.
That leaves mask seal or cushion leak as the remaining culprit. Headgear getting tired and loose or the cushion getting tired or needs a good cleaning or simply maybe time for a new cushion.
If your face is oily...might try a good washing at bedtime with maybe some sort of astringent.

Mouth taped and leak rate went up, quite a bit. I purchased a new mask to see if that is the problem

Well at least you know that the leak isn't mouth breathing which is kinda important to know. Saves you from everyone telling you that you need to change to a full face mask.

Personally.....if the leaks aren't waking you up...the machine can handle them up until you get around 90 L/min total leak and even then it can do a fair job up to around 100 L/min...over that and it gets iffy and over 120 L/min the machine is likely going to throw up its little arms and cry "uncle".
I have seen reports from machines with prolonged leaks up around 110 L/min...apaps work like cpaps and the sensing goes completely out the window.

You do know that you can order just a replacement cushion if your headgear is still serviceable.
No need for an entire new mask unless you just want one and your insurance covers the bulk of the expense.
If your current mask setup has some age to it...by all means start with a new mask both from comfort and peace of mind stand point.

The night before I purchased yhe new mask I woke up choking. The mask was very old and time to be replaced. Hopefully the new one will help.