Leaks and AHI Readings

sharon1965 · Post by **sharon1965** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 10:59 pm

The Max leak could be a bit lower but it must be a very small duration because it is not effecting your avg or 90% very much

yeah, jerry, i think it's when i'm first settling in or when talk to my dh with my mask on...i toss and turn a lot, too, so i think i have very brief leaks then
thanks for taking a look

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Tue Dec 25, 2007 11:10 pm

Sharon, your leak data looks good.

I mainly look at the "average" leak rate (on the Encore Pro reports) and that's about it.
Many times the "Max leak" seems to be at odds with the average leak and may go up and down and I can't figure out why.....so basically ignore it.

As long as the AHI looks good and the average leak isn't way up there, I presume my therapy is doing OK.

Den

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:52 am

Wulfman wrote:
RipVW wrote:Found this leak rate chart that has stats provided by many of you CPAP "old timers."

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html

Did that answer your questions, Rip?

Den

Yes, thanks Den! Now my next question: I assume that the leaks we see on our charts include those normal mask leak rates, thinking there's no way our machines could know the difference between the normal mask leak versus leaks due to breaches in the seal between mask/face (?)

Ted

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:31 am

RipVW wrote:
Wulfman wrote:
RipVW wrote:Found this leak rate chart that has stats provided by many of you CPAP "old timers."

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html

Did that answer your questions, Rip?

Den
Yes, thanks Den! Now my next question: I assume that the leaks we see on our charts include those normal mask leak rates, thinking there's no way our machines could know the difference between the normal mask leak versus leaks due to breaches in the seal between mask/face (?)

Ted

Yes, Ted. What we see on our charts is the "gross" leak number......when you subtract out the intended "vent flow rate", you get the "net" leak.....and hopefully that isn't too high on a regular basis. If it is, then you know some adjustments need to be made.

Den

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:47 am

Wulfman wrote:
RipVW wrote:
Wulfman wrote:
RipVW wrote:Found this leak rate chart that has stats provided by many of you CPAP "old timers."

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html

Did that answer your questions, Rip?

Den
Yes, thanks Den! Now my next question: I assume that the leaks we see on our charts include those normal mask leak rates, thinking there's no way our machines could know the difference between the normal mask leak versus leaks due to breaches in the seal between mask/face (?)

Ted

Yes, Ted. What we see on our charts is the "gross" leak number......when you subtract out the intended "vent flow rate", you get the "net" leak.....and hopefully that isn't too high on a regular basis. If it is, then you know some adjustments need to be made. Den

That's one reason Remstar has the better system, While we have to do the limited math, we aren't living under a false idea our leak rate is OK. With Resmed, many have their machines set up incorrectly for their mask, and are being told they are fine when they are not. Jim

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 10:52 am

If your friend is a Swift user I would pretty much guarantee the leaks are coming from the mask. That is a leaky little devil. Plumber's tape fixes that issue. As for mouth leaking, I am a bit skeptical about how much one can actually leak out of the mouth without being woken up. Especially at 12 cm of pressure. I have tried to allow small leaks to come out of my mouth and every time it comes out like a torrent.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:23 am

Wulfman wrote:
RipVW wrote:
Yes, Ted. What we see on our charts is the "gross" leak number......when you subtract out the intended "vent flow rate", you get the "net" leak.....and hopefully that isn't too high on a regular basis. If it is, then you know some adjustments need to be made.

Den

_________________

Thanks, Den! That's what I thought--good to know.

Ted

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:41 am

[quote="Flying_Norseman]As for mouth leaking, I am a bit skeptical about how much one can actually leak out of the mouth without being woken up. Especially at 12 cm of pressure. I have tried to allow small leaks to come out of my mouth and every time it comes out like a torrent.[/quote]

It's surprising how much air gushing out the mouth some people can sleep through without being aware of it at all. I'm one of them. Can, and have, slept through hours of massive mouth air leaks and mouth breathing at pressures including 16 cm. Thankfully, I finally got all that under control.

I agree that it feels like a torrent if a person is awake and lets even a small mouth leak happen. It can be a whole different ballgame once a person is asleep. Large air leaks out the mouth might wake some people up every time, or sometimes, or (for some of us)...not at all.

RipVW · Post by **RipVW** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 11:44 am

Goofproof wrote:
That's one reason Remstar has the better system, While we have to do the limited math, we aren't living under a false idea our leak rate is OK. With Resmed, many have their machines set up incorrectly for their mask, and are being told they are fine when they are not. Jim

Yep, Remstar rules! (except for that "time set" thing--I do miss being able to use my Resmed as a timepiece ;<).

Flying_Norseman · Post by **Flying_Norseman** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 2:58 pm

RG,

I am sure that is the case for some folks (you for one). I just can't see me being able to do that. You must have had gigantic leak numbers when that happened. I think some people worry too much if their leak rate is a little bit over the recommended numbers. If people are experiencing the kind of thing you were they must have really dry mouths and must not feel very well the next day.

I messed around with taping and FF masks but, it turns out that it wasn't necessary. It was the Swift II that was doing the leaking. My numbers are great now and I feel really good. I guess if I wanted to obsess, I could try and lower my snore index, but I am not too worried about that. I snore through my nose not my mouth.

FN

rested gal wrote:[

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 3:59 pm

RipVW wrote:
Goofproof wrote:
That's one reason Remstar has the better system, While we have to do the limited math, we aren't living under a false idea our leak rate is OK. With Resmed, many have their machines set up incorrectly for their mask, and are being told they are fine when they are not. Jim
Yep, Remstar rules! (except for that "time set" thing--I do miss being able to use my Resmed as a timepiece ;<).

Don't forget it's also useful as a smoke alarm tester, and emergency exit door prop. Jim