How many times is normal?

cherylann wrote:I wake up three or four times a night as well. For me, I'm pretty sure it is the mask - I just can't get comfortable with my face wrapped in hard plastic. Honestly, I was sleeping way better before I even knew I had sleep apnea.

I can't remember whether or not you've tried the nasal pillows?

Hmm....typical? Not sure. I wake up multiple times, some nights more than others. Last night was bad, and I KNEW I was having leakage issues. However, I'm finally at the point where I'm asleep more than I'm awake--although everything else is still a guestimate.

ems wrote:

cherylann wrote:I wake up three or four times a night as well. For me, I'm pretty sure it is the mask - I just can't get comfortable with my face wrapped in hard plastic. Honestly, I was sleeping way better before I even knew I had sleep apnea.

I can't remember whether or not you've tried the nasal pillows?

Not sure what nasal pillows are. Is that the one where it goes in your nose? If so, yes I did try it. During the first month, the DME kept trying to forc nasal masks on me and I just couldn't tolerate them. Went to ENT who said my nasal passages were too narrow to breathe through my nose and I would need a full face mask.

davelikesbeer wrote:You can see the saw tooth pattern of pressure. I certainly don't wake up for each of those pressure increases, but perhaps some are causing me problems.

Those little saw tooths are just little pressure probes. This is normal for APAP mode. Just sending out feelers.
Pressure increases in response to events are more pronounced...though in theory some people are sensitive to pressure changes so much that even these little probes will bug them. These are very small pressure probes and I never notice them either.
But then I start out at 10 cm and sometimes go to 18 cm and sleep right through it.

I see nothing on the report that might explain your wake ups. You could try straight CPAP just to see if you wake up less. If not, time to take a hard look at other stuff. Some people just sleep lighter and the least little thing will cause an awakening. Limb movement (as in PLMD)..meds that might make a person hypersensitive...any number of things.
If you feel wonderful I wouldn't worry but if you don't feel the good numbers then some detective work is probably in order.

I'm with you. I am scheduled for my titration next Fri. and honestly... my sleep better improve a LOT! I keep saying to myself, 'but I don't feel bad! I get up during the night a time or two, depending upon how much water I've drunk during the day and in the evening. I'm assuming that will remain the same when I get my mask.

I am still a newbie, but the leak level looks high to me. Would anyone agree? Your results look great, though. Maybe the sound and/or feel of the leaks are waking you up?

napstress wrote:I am still a newbie, but the leak level looks high to me. Would anyone agree? Your results look great, though. Maybe the sound and/or feel of the leaks are waking you up?

According to this page, CPAP Mask Leak Rates, the Swift Nasal Pillow leak rate at 16 cm h2o is 43 L/m. At average of 39 L/m, I think I'm okay.

davelikesbeer wrote: Swift Nasal Pillow leak rate at 16 cm h2o is 43 L/m. At average of 39 L/m, I think I'm okay.

Your leak is quite acceptable. Right where we would expect it to be with your pressure.
Your software is showing total leak so it does include the vent/intentional leak rate plus any excess leak.
We look for a nice straight line and yours fits the bill just fine.

Some people have Encore Pro and have it set to show only unintentional leaks so if they don't realize that the leak report is not the same.. yours would look bad compared to a report only showing unintentional leak but we can't compare them side by side since different values are being reported.