Newbie - 95th % 52.8 ?

[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?

[PoolQ]

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.

[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.

[justMongo]

If the machine shuts down. It may have autostart (and stop) set to ON. A large leak, such as opening ones mouth might signal to the machine that you have removed the mask; and it shuts off the blower. Personally, I have no use for autostart; and have mine set to off.

You are running rather high pressure; and leaks may be difficult to manage; but it can be done.

And, as Sleeprider said, we might be able to infer how badly you're leaking -- and perhaps even the source (mouth?)

Regards,

Mongo

[trish6hundred]

Hi jrferg75,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Much success to you with your CPAP therapy and finding a mask that will work well for you.

[0rangebear]

I see you using a BIPAP. I was wondering of you have experience with a CPAP before you started using the BIPAP.

[jrferg75]

I see you using a BIPAP. I was wondering of you have experience with a CPAP before you started using the BIPAP.

I actually was on a CPAP for 20 years at 12 cm/H2O. My CPAP suddenly died so I did a new sleep study and ended up with the BiPAP because they thought it would be better for me at the high pressure I need.

[0rangebear]

I see you using a BIPAP. I was wondering of you have experience with a CPAP before you started using the BIPAP.

I actually was on a CPAP for 20 years at 12 cm/H2O. My CPAP suddenly died so I did a new sleep study and ended up with the BiPAP because they thought it would be better for me at the high pressure I need.

Did you ever have trouble with waking up unable to exhale with out blowing hard or removing your mask?

[jrferg75]

I see you using a BIPAP. I was wondering of you have experience with a CPAP before you started using the BIPAP.

I actually was on a CPAP for 20 years at 12 cm/H2O. My CPAP suddenly died so I did a new sleep study and ended up with the BiPAP because they thought it would be better for me at the high pressure I need.

Did you ever have trouble with waking up unable to exhale with out blowing hard or removing your mask?

I never really did. With the nasal pillows it was a simple task to exhale through your mouth. I tried a FFM and felt claustrophobic with it on, and I'm not claustrophobic. Go figure.