Please offer input/advice on my numbers!

I've posted my numbers for the last week at:

http://www.box.net/shared/z9m499eakq

Notice the GREAT leak line on 12/23/08. Am I expecting too much to try to achieve that most of the time? I have not achieved it again since that night.

I think I solved the mouth leak issued with a chip strap that I modified with velcro "hook" strips that adhere to my headgear and help keep everything in place. I think at the higher pressures, the mask is "lifting" off my face at times. I've added Mack's Silicone Ear Plugs used as a putty around the edge of the mask. That seems to help a little.

How are my leak rates in general? What about the apneas? Is it "wishful thinking" to try to eliminate all apneas? I slept well last night until I woke at 4:15 and had to use the restroom. Soon after that, my alarm went off and I started my morning ritual of hitting the "snooze" button, so the leaks after 4:00 am are to be expected.

Do I need to raise my minimum pressure to try and eliminate apnea events? I've been raising it slowly, but I'm concerned now about the high pressure causing the mask to lift off my face and leak.

Any advice/input anyone?

Hi, Gail.

I won't be terribly helpful, because (1) our server at work won't let me access your report, and (2) even if it would, others here are FAR more able to interpret them. But I can offer this:

If you access http://www.resmed.com/en-us/products/se ... u=products, then scroll down to and select Mirage Micro, you'll have an online version of your mask's User Guide. The acceptable leak rate chart for your mask is on page 8, and that should help answer your question about how you're doing with the leak rate.

Of course, by posting a reply, I'll bump your thread to the top, and that'll probably be the most help of all. I expect others will chime in with comments about your report. Good luck!!


Marsha

Songbird wrote:The acceptable leak rate chart for your mask is on page 8, and that should help answer your question about how you're doing with the leak rate.

Thanks for your input Marsha. As I understand, my Resmed automatically adjusts for the acceptable leak rate, so the leaks shown should be actual leaks.

I am not an expert, but your leak rate seems to be .24 L/s with is "very good" according to ResMed.
Star rating................ Indicative Leak Measure
.....................................(L/s)...........(L/min)
* * * * * (Excellent)..........( 0.00–0.18).....(0.0–10.
* * * * _ (Very good)..........(0.19–0.26).....(10.9–15.6)
* * * _ _ (Good)...............(0.27–0.34).....(15.7–20.4)
* * _ _ _ (Adjust mask) .....(0.35–0.41)......(20.5–24.6)
* _ _ _ _ (Adjust mask) ....( 0.42–0.49)......(24.7–29.9)
_ _ _ _ _ (Adjust mask).....( 0.50)............(30 )
≥ ≥

I am happy when I get .16 on my Swift LT.

I can't help you much in trying to figure out your data. I'm still at a loss about mine and need some help too. I did want to thank you though for showing me how to share my PDF file though!! Box.net is a great idea

Tracy

That nice flat line you had on the 23rd is exactly what your leak line should look like. Even though your leak average is within what Resmed says is good, The High peaks and low valleys are not what we like to see. That line should be pretty flat. Most nights your leak is all over the place. Ya gotta fix the leaks. Make sure the seal on your mask is cleaned daily. You may want to try taping for a night or two to see if it helps. A chinstrap doesn't work for me, it still allows air to escape through my mouth.

Brenda

bdp522 wrote:That nice flat line you had on the 23rd is exactly what your leak line should look like. Even though your leak average is within what Resmed says is good, The High peaks and low valleys are not what we like to see. That line should be pretty flat. Most nights your leak is all over the place. Ya gotta fix the leaks. Make sure the seal on your mask is cleaned daily. You may want to try taping for a night or two to see if it helps. A chinstrap doesn't work for me, it still allows air to escape through my mouth.

Brenda

The flat line is what I like to see too! I had a very good night last night. Not quite as great as teh 23rd, but very close! I had trouble at first - couldn't get the mask to settle against my face. I finally removed the silicone and then it settled nicely and I had a good night. I haven't tried cleaning my mask daily as I wash my face every night before bed and my face hasn't been very oily in years, but I will try that! I'm greatly opposed to the idea of taping my mouth. I don't think I could stand that at all! I'd try a full face mask before I'd try taping.

Tracy - Yes, box.net is great! A full gig of storage for free! That's more than I'll ever use since I won't use it for actual storage - mainly for posting my results here!

Obviously It's much harder to keep a consistent leak line at higher pressures. It looks to me like you are doing a pretty darn good job of controlling leaks and your AI is very good..well below one. I am no doctor but I give you a grade of A. Your AHI is a a little high given your low AI, but it's about the same as mine and seems to be pretty typical of Resmed reporting high HI numbers which distorts the AHI compared to other machines.

track wrote: your AI is very good..well below one.

I'm wondering what the experience of other's on this forum has been. Is it "acceptable" to have apneas while on xPAP? I haven't had a night yet without at least one apnea event. Is this typical or should I strive to be apnea free?

From my experience, I would say you will not be apnea every night, although that's what we strive for. We do have sleep apnea after all. Our goal is to treat it not cure it, in my opinion, since I don't think there is a cure.

There will always be bad nights (even for people without sleep apnea).

It is possible, for me, to be apnea free (and hypoapnea free)maybe 6-8 nights a month and very few apneas the rest of the time. My AHI is almost 100% below 1 every night now. Last night it was 0.2 with an apnea. That is for the present but things will change again I'm sure.

You have a Resmed so it will be harder (I think - I'm not experienced on Resmeds) to have a 0.0 AHI every night. Resmeds tend to over report Hypoapneas so that will be what you see more than apneas. You may well see none or few apneas every night though, with a setting(s) that work well for you--- and a mask with which you can get a good leak rate.

Is it "acceptable" to have apneas while on xPAP? I haven't had a night yet without at least one apnea event. Is this typical or should I strive to be apnea free?

Snoredog used to say anything below 1 AI per hour is acceptable. Last night I was at 1.2..the night before at .3. I typically average about .7 which for 7 hours of sleep is 5 apneas per night. Unfortunately sometimes they come in bunches when I get on my back. At 4 AM I had no apneas but from 4 to 6 I had 7....all during a 10 minute period when I got rolled over on my back inspite of the fact I was wearing a backpack to keep my off my back.