How much does leaking matter?

I have 3 masks - all are really only 6-8 months old. One is a swift, one a activa, and one a comfort gel. None seal with a darn anymore. All sealed just fine for the first few months. I can't afford to buy masks all the time and my insurance says that even every year is too often and they will not cover it. My company is self insured and I really cannot dispute this. The leaking is annoying but vs what I can afford its better than nothing. The question is - how much of an impact are the leaks on the effectiveness? I'm sure docs and such know that leaks will happen in general. If I have a bunch of small leaks everynight is this a serious impact? I know there is still positive pressure going where it should, but just not as much because of the lack of a complete seal. Is this a serious issue or is leaking expected and more of an annoyance.

On the flip side - should I expect masks to last long? I diligently clean them and myself with non-fragrarant or additive soap and water.

I got a new Activa and it seals just fine - my old one does not and there are no apparent physical problems with it, so it seems just to be the age and wear of the mask - but the old masks I have are less than a year old and have been rotated so each has only been used 1/3 of the time. Roughly that's 2-3 months of usage on each mask before it leaks like a sieve. I don't really have an option though because I cannot afford to replace every 3 months, so I'd just like to know if the leaking is a significant impact on the treatment or just an annoyance? Can anyone help?

Well, in addition to being an annoyance, your cpap machine will try to compensate for the leak by increasing the pressure, which will in turn increase the leaking, which will in turn increase the annoyance....

Here's a good thread addressing this very subject. Click on:

Activa mask leakage

Hopefully some answers for you.

Who is your insurance through? I do all the insurance verifications at the DME where I work. Most insurances closely follow Medicare guidelines. I know Aetna follows them exactly. I have BCBS and there are no limitations. According to Medicare, Masks should be replaced every 3 months. Otherwise, they lose their shape and start leaking. Tubing should be changed every 6 months, as well as the non-disposable filters. The disposable ones should be changed every 2 wks. Since it is a matter of hygiene, most insurances will gladly cover those items, rather than risk respiratory infections and the expenses that go along with them.

This might be a little off the subject but for those of us who use Encore Pro and My Encore--how much leakage is "acceptable"? From looking at my chart, I will have one major leak , all the rest are small.

Masked Man--I don't know if this will help but have you tried using really hot water on the Activa and "molding" it back to your face. Also when it leaks if you will just gently pull it off your face a little it will pop back due to the suction.

Good luck with the insurance company. I am about to look into when I can replace my mask too.

How much does leaking matter? If that leaking matter comes from a black hole, then it could mean the birth of a brand new universe! Just kidding.

My suggestion is to get major leaks under control, even if they come from our seemingly innocuous CPAP masks. Besides, who wants to risk yet another unwanted birth of a universe?

instead of replacing the mask, why not just replace the seals? These can be purchased separately online.

The major issue with leaks is if they impact your therapy in any way.

Leakin matters if:
1. It disturbs your sleep because of the noise or where the leak blows at.
2. It hits your eyes, and you wake up with dry eyes
3. The xPAP can no longer compensate for the leak - and then despite the higher machine pressure, there isn't enough of an air splint in your airways to keep them open.

If none of those conditions exist, if you still feel the therapy is working, then you shouldn't be concerned.

If you feel much better after using the Activa, you're not getting proper therapy with your other masks.

O.