still confused about results

I have been using cpap for 5 months and I am still stuggling with leaks and results. I tried tons of different masks and this is the only one I can stand so I am sticking with it. On the results it goes kind of backwards...newer first then goes to older. As you can see leaks still major but it is weird that there is not cooralation between really anything...leaks, or snores, or anything on what AHI is. On 8 I feel more comfortable sleeping ( the pressure feels comforting) but AHI goes up and down and everywhere else. I think I have had anywhere from 4-12 on pressure of 8. On 9, leaks are crazy but AHI always pretty decent. Feel about the same on 8 or 9 on quality of sleep..possibly a little better on 9 but wake up often with leaks. Any input would be apprechiated.
Jen
http://photobucket.com/reefdreamer

Jen, this is just my layperson's guess, but the way your reports look to me....

Until the leaks are controlled (and you're getting massive leaking) treatment isn't going to go as well as it should. With that much leaking going on, a lot of your treatment air is just going out into the bedroom. That's not doing much to keep your airway open. So, no wonder there are a lot of apneas/hypopneas and snores appearing in your reports. There's really no way to make any pressure change decisions when there's that much leaking going on.

Since you're using a Full Face mask, it's gotta be from mask leaks -- not the usual problem so many have of "mouth breathing" with a non-FF mask.

My hunch is that after you get the leak situation remedied (easier said than done, I know) the pressure of 9 is going to do you fine.

I guess you already have the main air hose rigged up overhead, to keep it from tugging on the mask when you turn over in your sleep. And I suppose you've tried both cushion shapes (shallow vs standard, for instance) in your size for your Ultra Mirage FF mask.

That much leaking with a mask you really like (and that is a good one, imho) has to be frustrating.

I think if it were me, after exhausting the "shallow vs standard" cushion tries in a couple of sizes, I might try this:

Put several dots of selfadhesive velcro on the front of the plastic shell of the mask. Cut off the leg from a pair of Queen size tights. Put that "strap" around the front of the mask and tie it behind the head with a "doublestart" knot (will lay flat and is easy to adjust and undo) http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/doublestartknot.htm

The material of the "strap" (the leg from the tights) will catch enough on the velcro dots to keep the strap from sliding up or down on the plastic front of the mask.

Perhaps that little bit of extra stabilizing that the strap can give, will keep the mask in place better. If it's the whole mask getting dislodged that's the problem.

You might also think about getting the PAPillow if you think having the side of your face on a regular pillow could be shoving the mask sideways during the night. The PAPillow has a firm edge and contoured sides, which let a mask hang out into empty space when you're on your side. I like the double edge PAPillow.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/papill ... illow.html

The "Shapeable" pillow from Target could work. You can smush that one any way you want, and "shape" a hollowed out place in it that wouldn't push against the mask.

Good luck, Jen!

Thanks for the reply rested gal. I really analyze my data like crazy. I still have wonders if I should go back to a pressure of 7 which is what I was first given according to sleep study. My leaks were not bad with 7 at all but ahi was high-4-11. I will add a report at 7 to the photobucket thing. I use a temperpedic memory foam pillow and I modified and cut it to help with leaks. Can't do the hose hanger, I don't like the thing hanging above my head, freaks me out.
Jen

Rested gal...now check the photobucket thing...I put one old one with pressure of 7, of course it was a good night.
Jen

Went back to it and saw the report at pressure of 7. Yes, that's a nice leak line. The pressure of 7 lets more events through than I'd like, if it were me.

I still think 9 or 10 is what's needed. If the leaks could be controlled at those pressures, that is.

If you can usually get that steady a leak line at 7, though, and leaks always go crazy at any higher pressure, I'd probably settle for staying at 7.

reefdreamer wrote:Can't do the hose hanger, I don't like the thing hanging above my head, freaks me out.

That's too bad. Wish you could get past that. Hose pulling on the mask when you turn over might be as much of the leak problem as anything. We all have our little hangups, though... Silly pun intended!

Yes, the report that you posted with a pressure of 7 was your best. It had no large leaks and the leak line and AHI was good (at least for that 1 night). It looks like you do quite well at a pressure of 7 but again, it is only 1 night's data. You say that a higher pressure is more comfortable though. In what way is it more comfortable?

Maybe a week at 7 would give your more data to compare everything.

Go back to your sleep studies in the lab and look for mixed and central apneas. Are they there?

Not everyone can get a really low AHI.

no centrals noted on sleep study

k - just I wanted to be cautious

we had a person a week or so ago that had them with central rate of 8 and we getting 9 on software - that was probably as good as they could get with that kind of machine -