Okay I need the theorists and hypothesisers of the group

Okay just trying to find a solution to my problem as you may have read switching to a FF has caused unbearable aerophagia for me.

So my data, with just my nasal only mask, shows sporatic leaks sometimes for long periods at a time and sometimes with none for hours. However my AHI although it be higher then with a FF is still below 5.

That said is it safe to assume that although the FF gives me more leak free treatment, and my NAII with mouth breathing/leaking gives me higher leak rates (&higher average pressure) but still a decent AHI is it likely Im safe to just use my NAII.

I assume mouth leaks/breathing can cause a misread by saying Im having more apneas that Im actually having but it shouldnt skip one though correct. It may count them all plus some that dont exist but it shouldnt short how many Im having. RIght?

hope Im explaining this right so excuse the fact Im rephrasing a few times in hopes to offer clarity to my question....as long as my AHI is below 5 does it really matter that I leak....it should technically register more not less right?

I cannot bear the aerophagia that a FF or chinstrap cause me so Im just using my NAII again hopefully thats not a danger to my health.

I can only speak for data from Remstars and Encore Pro; I would assume the same would be true for Resmed machines.

During big and large leaks, the machine will not record most of the events (apneas, hypoapneas, for example) and will not respond to them. The AHI recorded is then very deceiving. There doesn't have to be a big black bar across the top on Encore Pro outputs for this to occur.

Under these conditions your true AHI might be really sky high and you are fooling yourself if you think your AHI is GOOD.

You need to get the leaks under control. If that means full face mask then that is what you need to do.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad new, Carrie.

I use the PB 420E, and the software, Silverlining, shows me a minute by minute graph of my sleep events. And I learned there is a major difference between mouthleaks, and mask leaks.

Mouthleaks always show up as a plateau, and there are never ever any apneas or hypopneas reported when they happen. The reason is simple:

When the pressurized air comes into my mouth and encounters an obstruction, if my mouth is open, the air simply takes the path of least resistance and pours out of my mouth, instead of pushing against the obstruction. This isn't a major leak - but it is a treatment defeating leak.

AHI isn't everything - if you mouthleak you're not getting therapy. You have to find a solution to either the mouth leak or the aerophagia.

I've read that aerophagia can be helped by using a bi-pap - maybe you should check that as an option.

O.

What Jules says is correct, You probable are not getting true data due to leaks.

Switching to a FF has caused unbearable aerophagia, may be because the pressure you need isn't escaping out of your mouth. You might try lowering your pressure a little for a few days, when using the FF mask, it might help you adjust to the working pressure. Jim

Your profile shows an S8 Vantage (Auto).....how do you have it configured at the present time?

The solutions to solving the aerophagia problem seem to be somewhat different for each person.


Den

The full face mask or chin strap should have zero effect on aerophagia as compared to other masks....I can only conclude, you are not getting treatment with your current setup because you are mouth breathing.

It's the reptilian aliens hiding out at the south pole and flying black helicopters ... Oh, sorry wrong theory ..