My question relates to the leak rate I have been experiencing over the last few nights. I started treatment with my S9 Autoset on 6/26 (CPAP mode at 19 cmH20--at least until my 1 month follow-up--after that, I may experiment with the auto mode and see if I really need such high pressure all the time). Over the first eight nights, my AHI has generally improved each night. The first couple of nights, I got the smiley face indicator in the morning for mask fit, but over the last five nights, it has been a frown-y face every night.
The leaks seem to happen more around the top half of my mask and, at least the ones I notice when I'm awake, seem to be more like bubbles of air escaping rather than a steady leak. Because my pressure is so high, I think I might be wearing the mask tighter than some people seem to recommend on here, but if I don't, the air pressure will escape constantly from around my nose and cheeks in particular.
My question is, if my AHI is steady or improving every night (had my best night last night at 2.0), should I really care that much about the leaks and the in the morning if my AHI stays lower and lower?
Here's my data so far (AHI; 95th Percentile Leak Rate):
6/26 -- 9.6; 30.0
6/27 -- 7.6; 0.0
6/28 -- 10.1; 18.0
6/29 -- 10.8; 63.6
6/30 -- 6.5; 73.2
7/1 -- 8.5; 81.6
7/2 -- 5.3; 92.4
7/3 -- 2.0; 98.4
Median and average daily usage times for these days are 7:57 and 7:41, respectively.
I think the AHI my first couple of nights may be skewed a little high--Looking at the detail data, I believe I was awake during most of the clusters of apneas that seem to have occurred. These 'false' apneas appear to all be marked as centrals. If I take those out, my obstructive apnea average per hour is 3.2 since I started on 6/26.
I started with an AHI in my sleep study of 161, so I'm very happy with my average AHI of 8.0 over these eight nights. I feel 100% better than I did a week ago and I have not fallen asleep unless I intended to since I got my machine. I'm just not sure if I should worry too much about the leaks if the AHI continues to improve.
Also, if anyone has any tips on fitting a Mirage Quattro for use with a relatively high pressure, I'd love to hear it. Clearly, from the first couple of night, this mask can fit me quite well, I just am not getting the right combination of adjustments to make it work.
Thanks everybody, and sorry for such a long post.