I know that my average leak rate is higher than the leak rate should be for the mask. My AHI is coming down, but I still don't feel as good as I did after my titration study. Is there a way of calculating the actual (effective) pressure I am getting? I am assuming that a higher leak rate does translate to a lower pressure in my throat, so if I am wrong about that, please let me know.

Maybe I am reading too much into all of this - my sleep doc wasn't concerned, saying that he only increases pressure based on how I feel, and I am feeling better than I did before xPAP, so no change. I would just like to know whether it is worth trying to reduce the leak rate even further, or should I just accept that this is as good as it's going to get?

At the moment I am using a cloth insert (a piece of an old t-shirt) between the mask an my face, which does seem to help, but I want perfection! I a prescription for nasal pillows to my DME yesterday, so we'll see what deal they come back with. I said I wanted a Breeze, but will they listen???


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SleepyToo
Philadelphia Area
Newly diagnosed, Respironics M Series Pro w\ humidifier
Zest nasal mask, also have Full Life ff mask, and FlexiFit 407
(Also have a FlexiFit 405 that damaged the bridge of my nose)

SleepyToo wrote:

I know that my average leak rate is higher than the leak rate should be for the mask. My AHI is coming down, but I still don't feel as good as I did after my titration study. Is there a way of calculating the actual (effective) pressure I am getting? I am assuming that a higher leak rate does translate to a lower pressure in my throat, so if I am wrong about that, please let me know.

Maybe I am reading too much into all of this - my sleep doc wasn't concerned, saying that he only increases pressure based on how I feel, and I am feeling better than I did before xPAP, so no change. I would just like to know whether it is worth trying to reduce the leak rate even further, or should I just accept that this is as good as it's going to get?

At the moment I am using a cloth insert (a piece of an old t-shirt) between the mask an my face, which does seem to help, but I want perfection! I a prescription for nasal pillows to my DME yesterday, so we'll see what deal they come back with. I said I wanted a Breeze, but will they listen???

This should be reflected in your average pressure that is displayed in the machine data readout (if you have a data capable machine).

There isnt any way to calculate it, but the machine is capable to gathering the data. Its difficult to calculate because it is going to vary every second (or few seconds).

RAM_Sleep wrote:

This should be reflected in your average pressure that is displayed in the machine data readout (if you have a data capable machine).

The data show a CPAP pressure - does this compensate for the leaks? If it does, then I am chasing rainbows in looking for a leak rate that matches the mask exhaust rate?


_________________
SleepyToo
Philadelphia Area
Newly diagnosed, Respironics M Series Pro w\ humidifier
Zest nasal mask, also have Full Life ff mask, and FlexiFit 407
(Also have a FlexiFit 405 that damaged the bridge of my nose)

SleepyToo wrote:

RAM_Sleep wrote:

This should be reflected in your average pressure that is displayed in the machine data readout (if you have a data capable machine).

The data show a CPAP pressure - does this compensate for the leaks? If it does, then I am chasing rainbows in looking for a leak rate that matches the mask exhaust rate?

The machine can compensate for some leak, but once that leak becomes "excessive", then the machine can no longer deliver the optimal pressure.

RAM_Sleep wrote:

The machine can compensate for some leak, but once that leak becomes "excessive", then the machine can no longer deliver the optimal pressure.

Great - much appreciated. I'll work on keeping the max leak down, and not worry so much about the little bits.


_________________
SleepyToo
Philadelphia Area
Newly diagnosed, Respironics M Series Pro w\ humidifier
Zest nasal mask, also have Full Life ff mask, and FlexiFit 407
(Also have a FlexiFit 405 that damaged the bridge of my nose)