What does a normal leak line look like?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
Dolpp
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What does a normal leak line look like?

Post by Dolpp » Tue Jul 27, 2010 4:43 pm

Image

This is my leak line, pretty much like all my other nights. The average is 33 for the night which mine should be about 30 for this mask and machine. I know it is supposed to be straight, but how straight? should it be a lot better than this? If so, what can I do about it?

The last couple of weeks I have been unknowingly taking my mask off in the middle of night, I attribute it to my mask leaking waking me up enough to take it off but not enough to wake me up to where I know that is what I am doing. I never notice any leaking ever though.

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6PtStar
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Re: What does a normal leak line look like?

Post by 6PtStar » Tue Jul 27, 2010 5:07 pm

Some times it depends on how the individual machine reports it! The Pro2 that I am using wit firmware 2.5 reported this this morning!

Image

The otuher Pro2 that I have with firmware 2.6 does more likem this!!

Image

Yours looks a lot different than the leak lines on my "M" Series machines and my Legacys. Maybe some one with the PR Series can help. The reporting does seem to be different from previous Respirionics machines

Jerry

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elena88
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Re: What does a normal leak line look like?

Post by elena88 » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:11 pm

Are you an active sleeper?

I have seen some people come up with almost flat leak lines. My goal is to get under that 24 redline for now.

I have also figured out by putting on a narrow elastic velvet headband horizontally across my mask, it has helped with leaks.

Also I noticed having a good wrangling system is helpful..



here is my leak line this morning, different machine from yours though..
I have seen the leak lines go way high when adjusting the mask while the machine is on, but I made sure I did not do that last night..
Those lines show up as tall narrow spikes for me.


Image

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jules
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Re: What does a normal leak line look like?

Post by jules » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:26 pm

to actually look at a leak line with encore pro - unless the pressure is fixed (such as jerry's graphs), one might also need to also examine the pressure graph

you didn't indicate if you pressure was fixed bipap mode or if you were in auto bipap mode

small variations up and down (zipper affect) are common and to be discounted

a change in pressure (up / down) may result in a step up / down in the leak graph in encore pro so if during the night there are a lot of pressure changes reported, you might have a lot of steps up / down in the leak graph that are benign

Dolpp
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Re: What does a normal leak line look like?

Post by Dolpp » Tue Jul 27, 2010 6:46 pm

Elena,
I am definitely an active sleeper, I'm all over the bed.

Jules,
I am at a straight 8.5, not using it in BiPaP mode.

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sleepmba
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Re: What does a normal leak line look like?

Post by sleepmba » Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:48 pm

Dolpp,
From the timing of some of your leaks, it looks like you are in REM. From my experience in the sleep center, your mouth could be dropping open or you are laying on your mask a little more compromising the seal.

What mask are you using? I like to sleep on my sides. A Swift seals very well for me for the entire night.
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