I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

Peacenana · Post by **Peacenana** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:43 am

Dear Forum Angels,
I have been on Cpap for two months. Still trying to learn how to interpret my OSCAR data.
It looks like I am having mask leaks when I move from my back to my side (early morning). If this is true, is there anything I can do to avoid this? I wear a chinstrap and a headband around my mouth to prevent mouth breathing. Also tried tightening my headgear straps but nothing seems to work.

Wondering if this situation is why I awaken during early morning with a sense of too much air blowing? When I look at my data over the past two nights, it looks like my leaks (and pressure) climb up around 4:30. Also not sure if the OA flags in event section are true apneas, and I seem to be having more hyponeas (sp?). Can anyone help me with this?
Many thanks! Screenshots of past two nights attached.

D.H. · Post by **D.H.** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:25 am

You're showing a "large leak" rate of zero. A certain amount of "leakage" should occur as you need to have the exhaled CO2 expelled.

Note that all the better machines on the market will compensate for leaks. Thus, leaks are only a problem if they are bothersome or if they are so excessive that your machine is unable to compensate. The latter is clearly not the case here.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:32 am

You are over thinking the results...If the leaks are not disturbing your sleep, they are insignificant. Your machine can compensate for most leaks.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:40 am

Respironics leak graphs will vary a bit as the pressure varies...so the bulk of the leak line movement is simply pressure changes.

What makes you think your leaks are a problem...are they waking you up? They aren't excessive at all and well within the machine's ability to compensate.

Your pressures are changing more than the graphs are showing due to the scale of the pressure graph.
You could see it better if the scale wasn't going to 25. I don't know how to tell you to fix it except change it so your top scale number is just a little above your maximum pressure reached.

Your leaks aren't excessive but if some very minor leaking is waking you up and annoying you then of course we don't want those wake ups.

How did you come by using these settings?

The hyponeas and FLs and RERAs point to maybe needing just a little more minimum pressure to better prevent them from happening.
They could also be a factor in unwanted wake ups.

ChicagoGranny · Post by **ChicagoGranny** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:43 am

Peacenana wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:43 am
I awaken during early morning with a sense of too much air blowing

Your pressure is low around 4:00/4:30. It's higher for extended periods of time earlier in the night.

The next time you awaken and feel like there is a problem, turn your machine off momentarily and then turn it back on. This will leave a break in your charts so that you can see exactly when the problem occurred.

Please use this format when posting charts -

palerider · Post by **palerider** » Mon Dec 02, 2019 8:47 am

Peacenana wrote: ↑
Mon Dec 02, 2019 7:43 am
Dear Forum Angels,
I have been on Cpap for two months. Still trying to learn how to interpret my OSCAR data.
It looks like I am having mask leaks when I move from my back to my side (early morning). If this is true, is there anything I can do to avoid this? I wear a chinstrap and a headband around my mouth to prevent mouth breathing. Also tried tightening my headgear straps but nothing seems to work.

Wondering if this situation is why I awaken during early morning with a sense of too much air blowing? When I look at my data over the past two nights, it looks like my leaks (and pressure) climb up around 4:30. Also not sure if the OA flags in event section are true apneas, and I seem to be having more hyponeas (sp?). Can anyone help me with this?
Many thanks! Screenshots of past two nights attached.

I see no leak issues on those screenshots.

I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

Re: I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

Re: I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

Re: I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

Re: I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

Re: I think I have a mask leak problem - need help

Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: Auto PAP; 13.5 cmH2O min - 20 cmH2O max