Leaking like a sieve... | Apnea Board (2024)

kingskid

Posts: 173
Threads: 18
Joined: May 2015

Machine: ResMed AirSense 10 for Her
Mask Type: Nasal pillows
Mask Make & Model: AirFit P10 for Her
Humidifier: MyAir Integrated
CPAP Pressure: 6 Fixed CPAP
CPAP Software: OSCAR

Other Comments: Began therapy 9/2/15

Sex: Female
Location: Colorado Rockies

09-08-2015, 09:41 AM

Leaking like a sieve...

Well, I finally got set up, and with the equipment I wanted, on Sept. 2. The machine is working fine, but I think I need to do something about the mask. It is an AirFit P10 Pillows for Her and works fine, but my mouth is evidently opening during the night. I get a very dry mouth, but more importantly, the air leak seems really high to me at 10L/min. Need to research this, but does anyone know if air leaks interfere with therapy? Seems like it would. I will download the SD card into my other computer and see if I can bring up some charts for you to look at. Guess it takes awhile to interpret them, but they aren't making a lot of sense to me yet. Any input would be appreciated--thanks!

"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul."
Moshe Dayan

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justMongo

Posts: 4,633
Threads: 130
Joined: Sep 2013

Machine: ResMed VPAP Auto (S9)
Mask Type: Full face mask
Mask Make & Model: ResMed Mirage Quattro
Humidifier: ResMed H5i
CPAP Pressure: 16 IPAPmax - 10 EPAPmin, PS=5
CPAP Software: SleepyHeadOther Software

Other Comments: μολὼν λαβέ

Sex: Male
Location: Калифорния

09-08-2015, 11:01 AM (This post was last modified: 09-08-2015, 11:04 AM by justMongo.)

RE: Leaking like a sieve...

10 LPM leak is within the machine's ability to maintain pressure. Still, you should be able to do better at leak rate.
Leaks will interfere with therapy when the blower cannot maintain pressure. That threshold is 24 LPM.

For those who use nasal pillows or a nasal mask; and leak because the mouth opens, a chin strap is usually added to apply a gentle bias toward closure.

BTW -- I love your quote by Moshe Dayan.

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JustMongo passed away in August 2017
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49er

Posts: 259
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2012

Machine: VPAP-S
Mask Type: Nasal mask
Mask Make & Model: Sleep Weaver Elan Soft Cloth Nasal Mask
Humidifier: H5i
CPAP Pressure: 13.6/9.6
CPAP Software: SleepyHead

Other Comments:

Sex: Undisclosed
Location:

09-08-2015, 12:22 PM

RE: Leaking like a sieve...

(09-08-2015, 09:41 AM)kingskid Wrote: Well, I finally got set up, and with the equipment I wanted, on Sept. 2. The machine is working fine, but I think I need to do something about the mask. It is an AirFit P10 Pillows for Her and works fine, but my mouth is evidently opening during the night. I get a very dry mouth, but more importantly, the air leak seems really high to me at 10L/min. Need to research this, but does anyone know if air leaks interfere with therapy? Seems like it would. I will download the SD card into my other computer and see if I can bring up some charts for you to look at. Guess it takes awhile to interpret them, but they aren't making a lot of sense to me yet. Any input would be appreciated--thanks!

Hi Kingkid,

The question is other than the dry mouth, how do you feel when waking up since a leak level of 10L/Min is well within the acceptable range? If you feel fine, I would try addressing the dry mouth with orajel or biotene before going to bed because adding a chip strap may lead to more discomfort that you don't really need.

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kingskid

Posts: 173
Threads: 18
Joined: May 2015

Other Comments: Began therapy 9/2/15

Sex: Female
Location: Colorado Rockies

09-08-2015, 01:40 PM

RE: Leaking like a sieve...

Thanks justMongo and 49er for your comments/suggestions. Well, I feel better already knowing I am within leak limits....yes, I've considered a chin strap, but because I have a TMJ issue in my jaw, was not sure if it would put undue pressure on it. Will chat with my DME rep and see what he recommends. (BTW, after 3 mos. of chasing down a Medicare DME provider, I think this is a good one.) JustMongo: I happended upon that Moshe Dayan quote by serendipity and really like it because (1) my admiration for Moshe, and (2) my passion for freedom!

"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul."
Moshe Dayan

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kingskid

Posts: 173
Threads: 18
Joined: May 2015

Other Comments: Began therapy 9/2/15

Sex: Female
Location: Colorado Rockies

09-08-2015, 02:21 PM

RE: Leaking like a sieve...

BTW, 49er, I slept better "without" CPAP therapy, felt energetic and ready to go in the AM. Now since I am still adjusting to CPAP, I don't sleep as well or as deep (but am not holding my breath like I was), but my husband is sleeping better! The AirSense 10 is quieter than I used to be...

"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul."
Moshe Dayan

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PaulaO2

Posts: 10,015
Threads: 232
Joined: Feb 2012

Machine: A10 Autoset
Mask Type: Nasal pillows
Mask Make & Model: Nuance
Humidifier: built-in
CPAP Pressure: 14-20
CPAP Software: OSCAR

Other Comments: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; chronic sarcasm

Sex: Undisclosed
Location: western NC, USA

09-08-2015, 09:20 PM

RE: Leaking like a sieve...

If you are using SleepyHead (which you should), down on the bottom bar, near the left, will be a drop down menu for "Flags". Make sure that "LL" is selected. That is for Large Leaks. It will show up in grey for any leak over what your machine can handle.

On the right, in the drop down menu labeled "Graphs", make sure that "Leak Rate" is selected.

Find the Leak Rate graph. Right click on the name of the graph and select "Dotted Lines" (last one). Make sure "leak rate upper threshold" is selected. This will put a red dotted line across the graph where your machine's threshold is. Any leak above that line is considered "unintentional". This way you can tell at a glance just how far over that line the leak is.

If a leak goes up then forms a kind of rough but flat mountain top, it is probably a mouth leak. If it is jagged and sporadic, it is a mask leak. Usually that is how it goes.

PaulaO

Take a deep breath and count to zen.

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kingskid

Posts: 173
Threads: 18
Joined: May 2015

Other Comments: Began therapy 9/2/15

Sex: Female
Location: Colorado Rockies

09-08-2015, 10:53 PM

RE: Leaking like a sieve...

Thanks, PaulaO2. I copied your info and will check SleepyHead with it. My "pie" graph shows different color percentages each night and last night it was mostly RERA, so need to see if I can interpret the graphs correctly to know what is really going on. (I'm on straight 7cm but insisted on the A10 Autoset for Her in case things change.)

"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul."
Moshe Dayan

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