Help with understanding "Leak Rate"

[Cranberry Ray]

Need input on a problem I'm having with leak rate. I use the P10 nasal pillows (Sleeprider was right, resistance was futile), a chin strap, and I tape my mouth so no air can escape. Never have a problem with dry mouth. Although my leak rate is under the 24 L/min that is recommended it seems to get close to that on many nights. I've also noticed in my charts that during the first 1-1.5 hours or sleep I don't have any leaks and if I wake during the night for a pit stop when I go back to sleep for the first 1-1.5 hour it's all good again. I normally sleep on my back but I'm wondering if I happen to roll to my side, if that could be when the leaks start. Hose management is great and it never pulls on the mask and the large pillows seem to fit just right. Wondering if anyone can see anything in my charts that might give a hint as to what's happening.

[SleeplessinPgh]

Hey, Cranberry Ray. I hope someone has some insight to share. I experience something similar and was wondering about it.

[OpalRose]

Although Cranberry Ray hasn't been on for awhile, I have to say it looks more like mouth breathing to me.
Using a "soft" cervical collar may help. It can keep the neck aligned, and the mouth/jaw from dropping while you sleep.

[SnoringInOregon]

Cranberry Ray said he taped his mouth. So it's probably not mouth breathing. My guess is it's from side sleeping.

I am able to sleep just fine on my back. My P10 doesn't leak.

However, a few days after I first got the P10 I experimented with sleeping on my side. For me it was a disaster. The P10 constantly leaked around my nose. That's because the elastic wouldn't hold the pillow tight enough to my nose to keep it from happening. The air flow around my nose kept waking me up. I'd adjust the mask and it would be OK for a few minutes and I'd fall back asleep and I would wake up again within a half-hour or so.

When I'm on my side, one half of the elastic is tightly held between my head and my pillow. The other half of the elastic just can't keep the P10 pressed up onto my nose tightly enough.

I didn't try to make the elastic tighter. I already occasionally experience some slight discomfort on my nostrils from the pillows in my nose. Tighter elastic would quickly become uncomfortable.

[OpalRose]

Although the leaks don't look that excessive, sleep can be disrupted when moving or turning on your side and your mask moves.  

The secret is wearing the straps properly.  The bottom part should be pulled down to the occipital bone area and the top strap at the crown area.  From there, you can adjust and be able to tell if it's too tight or too loose. Also, using the mask fit check feature helps.

If the straps are stretched out, wash them in hot water and let dry.

[ajack]

the resmed has a 25 l/m major leak and counts mask/mouth leak.. the dreamstation is probably around 50 and counts normal vent leak and mask/mouth leak as a total

[SleeplessinPgh]

  Aha!  Turns out my leaks are well within acceptable range, and are likely from when I change sleeping positions.  Thanks to all.  This forum has been a huge help to me.

[cate1898]

One other small thing that might make a bit of difference is to make sure you wash your face thoroughly before bed to remove any oil etc thereby helping your mask have a tighter seal. This makes a difference for me.