Leak and AHI connection?

Hi All,

First time posting but I've learned so much perusing the board over the past month. I actually think I'd have given up in frustration had it not been for all the great suggestions and shared experinces here.

Anyhooo, I am now on my third mask (airfit F10) in three weeks. The past two nights with the airfit are the best I've had since I started therapy. However, I check my data each morning and I'm confused. I only woke up once last night to adjust the mask and went right back to sleep. This morning the machine said 0% for Leaks (great!) but also said I had the highest AHI I've had since starting therapy: 6. If I'm having more episodes and it's not due to leaks, what other factors would cause that increase? When I got the equipment, the RT said to notify her if my AHI ever got over 5 because that means something is wrong with the mask. I left a message but haven't heard back form her. Any of you gurus out there have some ideas? Thanks very, very much.

Also - why doesn't my machine show up below? I've gone back and ensured it's selected it in the drop down but it's not showing up in my profile. weird.

KauaiShan wrote: Also - why doesn't my machine show up below?

The humidifier you have chose in your profile...look at it by clicking on the link....that's an M series machine humidifier and if that is indeed the model machine you are using then the reason it doesn't show up in the profile is that the link to those old discontinued machines is broken.

If that is not your humidifier ...let's figure out exactly which machine you are using and then we can figure out how to evaluate your leak and AHI.

You mention 0 % in large leak and that points to a PR System One machine...and the M series humidifier won't work with it.
Look on the bottom of the blower unit (remove water tank if water is in it) for a little sticker with model number on it...model number is a 3 digit number usually with DS or REF in front of it with maybe a couple of letters after it but the 3 digit number is the important thing.
Tell us those 3 digits and then we can point you to correct choice for machine and humidifier in your equipment menu.

If you do have PR System One machine then you can use the software available to see exactly what is going on and is much better than the limited data that is available on the LCD screen. Check out my signature line for software information.

Since starting therapy 117 days ago, I have used Quattro Air and switched recently to the AirFit F10. My Sleepyhead reports are telling me that I've had 8 nights of AHI>5, yet my overall AHI is 2.43. Three of those high AHI occurred during my first week of therapy, when I was getting used to the Alien and hating it. On April 11 I upped my pressure by 1cm, and since then all of my numbers are below 5, usually less than 3. Too much pressure, and you will probably have more time in large leak territory. With an AHI of 6 as your highest, you have nothing to worry about, IMO.

LEAKS: I continue to have occasional nights in large leak for a small percentage of time, but most of the time they don't wake me... when they do I adjust the mask and go back to sleep. Some time in large leak, which is what the machine LED reports, is not a big deal, but if you're getting into large leak territory a lot of the time that is when it affects optimum therapy. I've learned not to obsess over large leaks or occasional nights of a high AHI. In the long run, as long as most of your nights are <5, an occasional night >5 is not of much consequence. One of my first nights AHI was 21.5, but when you look at the overall picture everything averages out. The important thing is how well you are sleeping and how you feel the next day. You don't say what your AHI is over the last week or 30 days. If the leaks are bothering you, mask liners could help you. I use them, and they made it possible for me to get through the night, also reduced the leaks, but I still have nights of large leak. Your DME will probably have RemZzzzs, which I use, or you can order Pad-A-Cheeks at http://www.padacheek.com.

Hello Kauaishan,
I believe the reason AHI sometimes goes up when leaks go down is that fewer/smaller leaks are less disturbing which allows one to enter a deeper stage of sleep where apneas are more likely to occur. In this case, there might be nothing wrong with your mask, but your pressure might need to be raised slightly. I wouldn't worry about one night. Continue with the set-up for a few days. As you settle in with the new mask and smaller leaks your body may become accustomed and your AHI might come back down. 6 is not anything to panic over, remember 5 or less is considered normal.
Jay