Leaks?

Hey all, sort of new to CPAP, tried it about 7 years ago with terrible results, just got back on and am much more determined this time around (and after just a few days already feel much better, but not that surprised with how bad my apnea was), was curious, i know with a nose mask, leaks are air escaping out the mouth, what constitutes leakage with a full face (which is what I have). my machine has an sd card and in the data area it has a tab that says "large leak" and when i go into that area it has been around 27% but there have been nights that its been in the 40's (not sure what kind of machine I have, I have the info at home, going to update my profile with it when i get home from work, not sure if you guys would need that info to help), thnx! And I'm really glad I found this forum, seems very supportive and informative.

Axe wrote:my machine has an sd card and in the data area it has a tab that says "large leak" and when i go into that area it has been around 27% but there have been nights that its been in the 40's (not sure what kind of machine I have, I have the info at home, going to update my profile with it when i get home from work, not sure if you guys would need that info to help)

If your machine looks like this
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pr-sys ... chine.html
You have a Respironics machine of some sort. Turn the blower over (remove water tank first of course) and look for a 3 digit model number on a sticker on the bottom of the blower and we can figure out exactly which model if you can't.

The Phillips Respironics System One machines are the only machines that show a % of time in large leak on the machine's LCD screen.

Now...about that % of time in large leak...that's excessive (even the 27% which is an improvement over the 40%)
The machines that show % of time in large leak also show other data...check links in my signature for software options.
Depending on how far into large leak territory that you go...the other data can be inaccurate.

27% of the time you have the machine on the leaks are excessive and beyond where the machine can compensate.
Respironics already has a really generous leak allowance before large leak territory arrives...to get a large leak flag the leaks have to be pretty massive.

Using a full face mask...it can be a challenge to control those leaks.
Be sure to update your equipment profile when you get home and people using the same mask as you are using can maybe offer more specific ideas on how to improve that leak line.

yep, that looks like my machine except mine is wider because it has a humidifier, I will update with all machine specifics and type of mask when I get home, probably around 12:30 today, thanks for the response. I know leakage can effect the other results which is what bothers me because I feel like I'm not getting accurate info when I check it even though I am feeling a lot better and my fiance has said my snoring is gone. (she did say one night she heard a loud hissing sound, probably one of the leaks happening)

The accuracy of the data is only in question during the times in large leak.
25% would be 1/4 the night...in an 8 hour period that would be 2 hours where the accuracy of the data would be questioned.
That's higher than I would want to accept.
It's also important to figure out if there is a large time block of time involved...or just 5 minutes here and there. The longer the block of time in large leak the greater the potential for inaccurate data or even therapy.

You might want to try wearing a mouth guard with your FFM. It works for me, totally eliminating leaks. When I don't wear it, leaks start to wake me up 3-4 hours into my sleep. Here's a link to a video on this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuljE0Qe1Lg

Just an update on my equipment since it probably helps, I have a Remstar Pro System One 60 Series with a Simplus full face mask

Sorry, still learning how things are labeled/named/described on here, the machine is a Phillips Respironics REMstar Pro C-Flex+