leaks,leaks, and more leaks

[cberistain]

P10 pillows (size large), chin strap and cervical collar. my AHI are always good regardless of the leak rate ... but my deep sleep is non existent with large leaks...  I was getting an acceptable leak rate in the past, but in the last two weeks, I've been getting bigger and bigger leaks.. many times OSCAR marks the excessively large leaks on the graphs..

I've replaced everything from the water tank to the mask, so I'm pretty sure the machine is not the problem.

no question I'm a mouth breather, hence the chin strap and cervical collar.  On last night's run, I also added the somnifix mouth tape.

looking at  yesterday's OSCAR, does it look mouth breathing is the source of the high leak rate?

Over the past two weeks, I wake up to the feeling that an air bubble is coming into my mouth and my cheeks puff out .. I swallow and it goes away .. but maybe I'm doing that throughout the night and I don't know I'm doing it .. wondering why this suddenly would become an issue.. the only change is we have gone from cold weather ( heat on), to humid and warm ..

any thoughts??  many thanks.

[martyedb]

when I started with nasal mask in february, somnifix strips  were sufficient with just short pieces of tape at each end  (3m blue tape for gentle removal  , for children,  the elderly, etc).   my therapy improved significantly.   then recently I have to add two long strips over the somnifix strips.     I hope the advice you receive will be helpful to me, too.

[CurtA]

You might want to try the medium or small pillows, I experienced leakage with the P-10 large pillows... Now, I am using the medium size with no leaks. Who knows, it might work for you.

Any idea why you breathe through your mouth? I found that nasal/sinus congestion made it difficult to breathe through my nose. To correct that problem, I got a sinus cleaning device that made all the difference in my nose breathing...
https://www.amazon.com/SinuPulse-Elite-A...WNrPXRydWU=

I have trained myself to keep my mouth shut and only breathe through my nose - no chinstrap or tape...

[Rcgop]

Two comments:
1. Leaks are what wakes me up the most or won’t let me get back to sleep. The collar must fit properly and size matters. One size does not fit all. Corflex (with 1 “e”) website has collars in many sizes. The height of the collar must be high enough to keep your mouth shut. I bought 2 collars, one the size as measured per their instructions and one the next size higher. The one measured correctly was perfect. Cured my leak problem. 

2. I use the Resmed pillow system and I have proven (at least to me) that the venting from mask to mask is not consistent. This was evident when I was registering leaks when I was awake and could observe no leaks.  This leak difference could be as much as 3 to 4 l/min. This leak did not disturb my sleep.

[cberistain]

I have trained myself to keep my mouth shut and only breathe through my nose - no chinstrap or tape...

How does one train to eliminate mouth breathing?
I've worn chin straps/cervical collars since I started.. even used mouth tapes .. I've never been able to eliminate mouth breathing..

thanks

[cberistain]

which collar did you get ? there are many on their web page..
I'll give it a try ... makes sense.
thanks

[OpalRose]

How does one train to eliminate mouth breathing?
I've worn chin straps/cervical collars since I started.. even used mouth tapes .. I've never been able to eliminate mouth breathing..

This takes time and practice.  Many don't have the patience, but if you can master this, it is well worth the effort.  

Tongue Suck Technique:
Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth with tip of tongue behind front teeth.  (NOT PUSHING ON TEETH).
Gently suck upwards and back.
This places the tongue in a natural position, with the back of tongue sealing the back of the throat so that if your mouth/jaw drops open while sleeping, no air will escape.

[cberistain]

This takes time and practice.  Many don't have the patience, but if you can master this, it is well worth the effort.  

Tongue Suck Technique:
Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth with tip of tongue behind front teeth.  (NOT PUSHING ON TEETH).
Gently suck upwards and back.
This places the tongue in a natural position, with the back of tongue sealing the back of the throat so that if your mouth/jaw drops open while sleeping, no air will escape.

I've been using that technique since day 1 ... guess my brain does not want to cooperate  :-(

[TiredOne789]

For many years, the P10 and 3M strong-hold mouth tape were my go-to sleep aid. I, too, am now experiencing an increase in leaks. I added Sinex nasal rinse and Flonase, which helped for a while, but wonder if the P10 nasal pillows are slightly different, from perhaps a new manufacturer, or poor quality control. I asked the DME if it was possible to have a "bad batch," and in a roundabout way, they admitted it could happen. Also, I do not like the new headgear with the buckle so use one of the old plain straps. The first night I used the new headgear, I had 48 leaks.   I believe something has changed with the P10 and it's increased my leaks.

[Rcgop]

which collar did you get ? there are many on their web page..
I'll give it a try ... makes sense.
thanks

The ultra cervical collar. 
18-20 inch neck and 3 1/2 height. The 4 1/2 was a bit too tall.