Need an outside opinion on leaks....

Hi all....first, understand that I'm pretty obsessive and competitive with myself, i.e., I like to get everything as "perfect" as possible. However, I think I'm getting to be a bit too obsessive here and I would like some outside opinions.

So here's the scenario:

1. Have been using the Swift FX for 2 weeks. LOVE it. The claustrophobia monster has been banished and I'm breathing through my nose for the first time in my life.

2. In the past week, I'm really starting to notice improvements (now into fourth month)...more energy, feeling awake, etc. For the first time, I feel like I'm sleeping deeply and completely. Whatta concept! The light restless sleeping seems to be disappearing more every night, and I now have periods of 3 to 5 hours where I don't wake up AT ALL and I'm completely unaware of time. I'm also falling back asleep easily unless it is near my normal wake up time.

3. My flow limitation graphs are showing basically no flow limitation (used to be quite high), my average pressure is is down, snoring has been completely eliminated (also used to be pretty high). AHIs are in the same range, usually somewhere between .2 and .8

4. The only thing that is NOT improved is my leak line. I can tell when my mouth opens, although that is NOT when any incidents occur. Total leak time all night is less than 30 minutes split into usually about two incidents. Most nights the maximum leak is below the leak line, and if above, it is barely above. I used to have completely flat leak lines with my Hybrid...although other numbers were not as good (flow limitation, snoring, at top of pressure range).

5. I don't want to tape my mouth (for a variety of reasons) and don't have enough chin to make a chin strap work.

Question:

If I'm feeling better, sleeping better, and my numbers remain good (and other things have improved), DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THESE OCCASIONAL LEAKS? Am I just being overly obsessive here?

Sometimes I can't tell if I'm being sensible or have gone over the line into unnecessary obsession....

Thanks!

Weezy

The Swift FX has three sizes of pillows. Have you experimented with each of them? One size may be a better fit. The chinstraps that are out there are very soft w/ velcro on the top. You may be able to angle one on after you put on the FX.

Redrite wrote:The Swift FX has three sizes of pillows. Have you experimented with each of them? One size may be a better fit. The chinstraps that are out there are very soft w/ velcro on the top. You may be able to angle one on after you put on the FX.

Yes, thanks. I was surprised at the pillow thing. Started out with the medium but noticed it leaked around my nares. Moved up to the Large and PRESTO! a great seal that pretty much stays put with no effort. The problem with a chin strap for me is that one needs a chin! I've made several different styles of straps and have even tried tying a scarf over my mouth...the leaks were about the same but I didn't sleep very well. Same with taping. Seems like my mouth is determined to open at certain times during the night.

I'm pretty sure the leaks are all coming from my mouth.

Weezy

DocWeezy wrote: If I'm feeling better, sleeping better, and my numbers remain good (and other things have improved), DO I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THESE OCCASIONAL LEAKS? Am I just being overly obsessive here?

I don't worry about my occasional leaks small or large. I look at the report and as long as the leak is isolated and not of any great duration as to affect treatment, I just chalk it up to my tossing and turning then put it out of my mind.

Yeah, that perfect little line is nice to see but in reality for some of us very hard to get. I used to really, really try to keep fiddling with things to get that straight line. I was much happier when I stopped trying to obtain "perfect".

Given your reported general improvement, don't beat yourself up over a few leaks here and there.

Use the mask that helps you get the most comfortable sleep. The full face mask that can deal with the mouth leaks is absolutely useless if you can't sleep with it. Besides, it has its leak issues too. Just my opinion and I am ducking and covering for the backlash from those that use FF masks. To those folks, trust me, FF masks are not for everyone. If I only had a FF mask to use, I simply could not get any worthwhile sleep with it if I slept at all.

You have a very minimal leak ratio. The Fx is a great pillow device but the ventilation holes are very small and sometimes will cause the mouth to open on exhale. If it were me I would not worry about it. Alot of folks toss and turn each nite w/ a variety of masks worn and leaks can be inevitable with movement, mouth openings etc. Ask your Doc next visit and see if he concurs.

[quote="Pugsy"Given your reported general improvement, don't beat yourself up over a few leaks here and there.

Use the mask that helps you get the most comfortable sleep. The full face mask that can deal with the mouth leaks is absolutely useless if you can't sleep with it. Besides, it has its leak issues too. Just my opinion and I am ducking and covering for the backlash from those that use FF masks. To those folks, trust me, FF masks are not for everyone. If I only had a FF mask to use, I simply could not get any worthwhile sleep with it if I slept at all.[/quote]


Thanks, Pugsy...that's what I'm hoping to hear from others. I've been really surprised at how my sleep has improved since switch from my Hybrid to the Swift. I thought the Hybrid was great (until it started causing problems with my teeth and jaw), but now that I'm on the Swift and I see the other things improving and I'm feeling so much better, I'm just amazed! I feel like I'm really really sleeping for the first time in decades. Who knew a mask switch would make so much difference?

Now I just need to conquer my obsession with perfection...

Weezy

DocWeezy wrote:Now I just need to conquer my obsession with perfection...

I hear you. I will tell you what I did to help me when I saw some leaks. I just told myself that the report was last night. I can't undo what happened last night. I can't help it if I toss and turn. I am getting effective treatment for the OSA. I am doing the best I can. Good restful sleep is much more important than trying to achieve that perfect line because sometimes things happen I can't control. You know what happened? Once I quit worrying so much about it I actually started having a few of those nice straight lines. Don't get them every night and sometimes it is just part of the night but with time I did and still do get just a few.

Now for those reading this and thinking she is saying not to worry about leaks. I am not saying that. I am saying that if all other indicators of effective treatment are present then an occasional leak is not the end of the world.