Bad leaks but good AHI?

Hi all,

Can't figure this out. I have used my Respironics BiPap Pro2 and Activa mask for 1,000 hours. 250 hrs at setting of 13/6, 250 hrs at 13/9 and over 500 hrs at 16/11. The initial 13/6 setting was set by a questionable Pulmonologist. On my own I changed them to 13/9. My current Pulmonologist changed settings to 16/11.

Regardless of settings, my average leaks have been running about 45, my 90% leaks at 65, and maximum leaks at 160. I carefully wash my face nightly and my mask every other day. There is no change in leak results on the days that I do not wash the mask.

My AHI was 4.2 at 13/9 and is now 1.6 at 16/11. My snore index was 26 at 13/9 and is now averaging 2 at 16/11. All this data is with thanks to Derek's MyEncore software.

Can't understand how my AHI scores can be good with leaks running as high as they appear to be.

I feel great so I think the AHI and snore index figures are correct.

I am truly perplexed. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your help.

Andy

Long time no see, FL andy!
It't nice to read your feeling well.

Some leaks belong to the system - e.g. the air "leaking" out of the masks vent holes.

Enjoy your good treatment, and don't worry about the leak measurement, your new doctor was obviously right in raising your pressure!
O.

The unit compensates for the leaks to keep the pressure at the required setting. Some leaks are normal . Have you checked the vent and the snap in connector . It is easy to miss this when connecting to the mask. make sure it SNAPS into place.

Have you ruled out mouth leaks ? Try tape to keep your mouth shut for a few nites and see if the leaks are reduced .

How do you feel. Thats the most important indicator.

:twis ted:

Andy, I had the same problem with my Remstar Auto. Wrote to the expert, Derek. My leak was listed at 43, brought down to 32 with mouth taping (not fun).

This is a copy of the message Derek sent to me. Hope it helps you:

Again I don't know the answer to your question. The leakage reported will depend upon what the mask manufacturer has designed in for the exhaust ports. I would look at your Encore pro reports to see if there are any "Bad leaks" reported. They are shown as solid black lines at the top of the graph of the leaks.

I think you may be confused by the numbers. Respironics reports leaks as liters/minute, while others report it as liters/second, so when you see numbers such as 0.43 it is obviously from another machine! I believe the base leakage rate for most masks is 30 - 40 liters/min - meaning that there are no face/mask leaks around that range.

Hope this helps you out. I am feeling great, have a very low AHI (this morning, zero point one), so even if the leak is high, I'm feeling fine. And isn't that the most important thing, how you feel coupled with a good AHI? I would think so...

hey all,

thanks for your response and help. i'll just stay feeling good.

andy

FL Andy writes:

thanks for your response and help. i'll just stay feeling good

.

In the end, isn't that what really matters?