01-25-2016, 01:23 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-25-2016, 01:25 PM by jrferg75.)
I'm sure that this has been asked and answered many, many times but after reading many of the posts regarding this, I am still confused.
I have just started using my BiPAP at 19/23 and I get a sore throat and dry mouth. Using the on-board humidifier at 8 and nasal pillows. I always get the "unhappy face" and I think that I occasionally leak through my mouth at night.
According to U-sleep.com, I have the following numbers and I have requested a chin strap from my supplier.
Therapy Hrs: 8.18
Leak 95th %: 52.80
AHI: 1.80
How far off am I from where I need to be? What kind of 95th % number should I want to shoot for and be satisfied?
At times I will awaken because my machine has shut down and I have to restart it. I didn't remove the nasal pillows so I expect that I was free flowing through my mouth. This happens 2-3 times/night.
Is this enough info for a reply?
I have the same machine as you and my 90% for leak last night was 6. There is a max point beyond which the machine cannot accurately measure what is going on. I think it is 24 (but don't hold me to that exact number).
Guessing the machine is shutting down because it thinks you have taken the mask off and forgot to turn the machine off. Leaks.
No doubt mouth breathing, try the chin strap and start looking at full face masks FFM, there are many kinds from minimal to actually FULL FACE covered
The 1.8 AHI is suspect because of your high leak rate. People have used straps, tape, and FFM.
01-25-2016, 01:39 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-25-2016, 01:39 PM by Sleeprider.)
For leak data, you want to use the median or average. The 95% leak rate means you were at or below 52.8 liters/minute 95% of the time. Unlike Respironics, Resmed does not report total leak, it only reports excess leak. So the ideal average leak rate would be less than 5.0. I would be looking for a 95% leak rate less than 20.
You could probably visualize this better if you download the Sleephead software which graphs the leak rate along with events, flow, pressure and many other pieces of information. A link to the Sleepyhead forum is at the top of this page.
Hi jrferg75,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Much success to you with your CPAP therapy and finding a mask that will work well for you.
trish6hundred
I see you using a BIPAP. I was wondering of you have experience with a CPAP before you started using the BIPAP.
2004-Bon Jovi
it'll take more than a doctor to prescribe a remedy
Observations and recommendations communicated here are the perceptions of the writer and should not be misconstrued as medical advice.