What does the "Leak" number mean?

Hello, I think I getting alot of leakage from my mask. I wake up alot at night and have to move it around. It seems OK when I'm using the ramp setting on the machine. But when it goes to full flow the mask leaks around the edges. I'm getting a reading of 29.9 on the screen under leak detected. I have only been using it for a week so this might be normal. So far really not happy with the mask. I seem to be losing sleep them getting more.
Thanks!
Don

There are a lot of variables with masks. Every mask has a set leak rate that is noted in the instructions. It is based on your pressure setting. Any leak numbers above that number means you are loosing your pressure and treatment is not very effective. Having said that, I have never, ever had a leak number as low as it is supposed to be and I have my AHI's below 2.5. I have the software for my machine and pretty much all of the apnea's are coinciding with the times the mask is leaking. Your understanding of this all will come in time so don't feel overwhelmed in the meantime.

Good Luck!
Brooke

Find the mask exhaust rate number in your instructions for the pressure you are at. Subtract that from your 29.9 for your actual mask leak.

Georgio

Depending on your pressure and expected leak rate for that mask, 29.9 isn't all that bad.
I have a ComfortGel nasal interface and the leak rate I usually get with that one is around 33. My headrest has about the same rate. I just got a Resmed Mirage Activa and the leak rate is well within the allowable rate for my pressure....29 or so.
You'll need to do a bit of searching in your masks paperwork - -somewhere in there will be a graph and some numbers that will give you the expected number due to normal exhaust. I chased leak rates for a quite a while - tried all kinds of things to see why it was so "high".....Turns out I was chasing a phantom.

I'm not all that familiar with the Full Face ComfortGel mask, but when my CG nasal mask was leaking in that way it was because the headgear was adjusted too tight. I'd guess that it has a silicone membrane that inflates and a blue "thingie" that determines the shape. If so, the membrane needs to have room to inflate as that's what creates the seal. So keep the headgear a bit loose.
An important issue is size. Make sure the mask is the correct size!!! I was given a medium CG which I made work, but it was always leaking a lot, especially around my eyes. I switched out to a small and viola -- works much better!!!
Another thing is cleanliness. If you have oily skin, wash your face around where the mask fits before you mask up. In the morning you'll probably have to wash the mask as well -- I'm fortunate that my skin is very dry, so it's not an issue I have to deal with.
It'll take a while to get the fit and feel wired so it works for you. Hang in there -- you'll get it figured out!!!!
Take care
cheers
goose
KR6AP

Thank-you for the replys. They help as it looks like I'm OK with the leaking that I get. Now if I can get rid of the sore on the top of my nose. I'm really not noticing any difference in the way I feel. I think that I wake up more now then I did when without the Cpap. I will just keep plugging away at it. Again thanks!
Don
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Don, it's kind of like your SleepNumber (as in the adjustible AirBed), except that the higher it is the worse your sleep....LOL

Isn't this a great place to get instant advice from great people? Of course you pick up a few smartalecs along the way but that's just for spice and flavoring.

Bret

N6CRV de KR6AP......
That sore at the bridge of the nose tells me you've got it cranked down too tight and/or it doesn't fit right!!!!!
If the membrane is leaking around your eyes when you have it a bit looser you can use your fingers to kind of push it in and make it seal -- it's a pain in the hind side, but it works. I did that a lot until I found a CG that fit, but again mine is a nasal interface not a FF....
If your DME has a policy for returns and/or fitting, take advantage of that!! If you like the CG FF try a size smaller. If you can deal with a nasal interface rather than FF I can suggest a Mirage Activa (I haven't tried the Activa LT yet, but probably will). I use a small CG and the standard size Activa (Medium LT) fits well....

Good luck!!!
cheers
goose
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