Nasal mask vs. Full face mask

I am using a nasal mask, but i think I am a mouth breather as Sleepyhead is showing a lot of leaks. My AHI is showing between 1-2. Also showing I am having a lot of periodic breathing. What does that mean?? Thanks for any help........

How much leak?
Can you post image of nightly report?

Just a reminder that the PR S1's report show total leak, and not just mask leak.

If you have steady leak graph, its normal and you would need to account for the mask output rating according to your pressure.

I took a screenshot but I don't know how to insert it in the post??

Paula J wrote:I took a screenshot but I don't know how to insert it in the post??

Open the image to full size so it is easily read.
I use Vista snipping tool to create a screen shot and crop the image at the same time.
Prt/scr key will also take a screen shot if using XP. If laptop is used sometimes the Fn key has to be pushed at the same time as the prt/scr key
I think windows 7 Home has it, basic may not.

Once the screen shot is created save it in jpg format.
Upload the image to a host site. I use Photobucket it is free, there are others.
Once the image is uploaded then copy the ENTIRE IMG address. Be sure to include the opening and closing IMG in brackets. Paste that copied address into a post here.
Use the preview button. If you can't see the image try again because if you can't see it we can't.

Hi pugsy, I made a screenshot and followed your directions to post it. My post reply screen shows [img]url address of picture[img]. When I preview it, my screen doesn't show the picture, just the [img]address of picture[img]. I must be doing something wrong but don't know what it is. Am using photobucket (free)

at photobucket with image showing look at the little box with all the addresses
Put mouse cursor on the BOTTOM line in that box (it contains the IMG brackets) copy that line
open your post here at the form, put cursor in the body of text
right click mouse and choose paste
a line should appear similar to this ..spaces add for visual effect
[img]photobucket%20addy[/img]

then preview should show image

There are other ways to insert the image but this way involves the least amount of key strokes.
Another way is to copy the url address, click on the Img box on the text editor, insert coursor, right click and paste the url addy between the IMG brackets. I am just lazy and prefer the least amount of keystrokes as possible.

PB Periodic Breathing or Cheyenne Stokes Respiration (CSR) is a pattern of breathing. Unwanted in large amounts.
You are showing only 1.2 % of the night in PB, not bad. Even normal people can have some. Yours is all in that last part of your sleep cycle. If you had 10%, 25%, or higher PB then we might be more concerned. I have nights where I have some PB and other nights where I have zero. Your COPD may impact this slightly.

And yes, your leaks are significant. Very suspicious of mouth breathing.

I asked to see the leak graph because of the way SleepyHead shows the scale. It can look like a roller coaster and not be bad if the ups and downs are all going only up to 40. Yours obviously go much higher.

Your pressure line is weird. I don't know if running the BIPap in Cpap mode has confused SleepyHead or not.
It should start out at 18 and remain straight, not go up on an incline.

Thanks a lot, pugsy. I'm going to see my doctor Monday for my first talk with him since using the machine. Will take my card with me. I am anxious to see what he says. I have a full face mask (Mirage Quattro) but I like using the nasal mask better. With the leaks that are showing up, he'll probably tell me to use the full face mask. It's not nearly as comfortable! I swallow more air with it. You've been such a big help to me and I really appreciate it. Thank you....

Paula J wrote:... I have a full face mask (Mirage Quattro) but I like using the nasal mask better. ...

You and everyone else.

Paula J wrote:... With the leaks that are showing up, he'll probably tell me to use the full face mask. ...

Don't give up just yet! You might want to try a chin strap. And/or you may consider using tape at night. Due to my mustache that's not an option. And trust me, my wife would NOT like it if I got rid of the mustache. So, I've switched to the Quattro and Quattro FX masks. But you might be able to make a nasal mask work with a few tweaks.

Paula J wrote: I have a full face mask (Mirage Quattro) but I like using the nasal mask better. With the leaks that are showing up, he'll probably tell me to use the full face mask. It's not nearly as comfortable! I swallow more air with it.

There is a reason (actually several) I decided early on in my therapy to make the nasal pillows work for me. One reason was the most horrible aerophagia I got with the trial of a full face mask. I have never had it with the nasal pillows.

There are ways to limit the mouthing breathing if you don't want to go down the FFM road.
I tried tape, polygrip and various chin straps (store bought and home made). I ended up doing the tape thing for a couple of months and working on keeping my tongue positioned in the roof of my mouth. After a couple of months I no longer needed to tape and my leaks were well managed. I also normally breathe through my nose just fine during the day. No nasal congestion issues. I think in my case it was just habit at night to open mouth from gasping for air. I got lucky and broke the habit. Others aren't so lucky.

You have some options to try to limit the mouth breathing. If you had only shown and occasional little blip in that leak line, wouldn't be so bad. I don't know off hand what the vent rate is for your mask at your pressure but off hand if you hadn't gone above 45 or 50 line very much, I wouldn't have said much.

John, lol at your mustache and your wife! I normally breathe through my nose all the time, but I snored really heavy before cpap, so guess I got used to mouth breathing with that??? I've tried a couple of chin straps....they are uncomfortable and make me feel like a wrapped up "mummy". I can't use the one you use, pugsy, because they said my pressure (18) was too high for that mask. They said it would feel like a jet engine in my nose!!!! I do go to sleep with my tongue up against my top teeth but guess it doesn't stay there....will keep practicing though.

Paula J wrote: I can't use the one you use, pugsy, because they said my pressure (18) was too high for that mask. They said it would feel like a jet engine in my nose!!!

I know "they" say that but there are several members here using nasal pillows at your pressure without having any problems. I use APAP and sometimes I see 18 cm pressure being reported. I never know it. Of course my minimum starts lower.

There have been some recent discussions about nasal pillows and higher pressures. I will see if I can find a couple.
I know Lars4life uses them with high pressure and loves them.

I am not trying to get you to switch. Only saying that the nasal pillows will work for some people at the high pressures.
Some DMEs have told people that use 12cm, that the pillows won't work for them. "They" don't have a clue most of the time.

Edit to add this one. There are other discussions. I seem to have developed a bad headache, so will rest for a bit.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=65135&p=608200&hili ... es#p608200

With CPAP pressure at 11 in the beginning, I was told that I was over the upper limit of 10 for a pillow mask! they said I'd likely get a very dry nose...I just cranked up the humidifier to 3/4 max and was perfectly fine. In fact, no more sinus infections and less congestion since going on CPAP therapy in Aug '07.

After losing 45#s, I started mouth leaking and had to switch to a FFM...my choice was the pillows & oral cushion of the RespCare Hybrid Universal mask...love it!