+- Apnea Board Forum - CPAP | Sleep Apnea (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums)
+-- Forum: Public Area (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Public-Area)
+--- Forum: Main Apnea Board Forum (https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Forum-Main-Apnea-Board-Forum)
+--- Thread: Dreamwear leaking at six months (/Thread-Dreamwear-leaking-at-six-months)
Dreamwear leaking at six months - bemused - 10-26-2019
At six months my Dreamwear nasal cushion mask has suddenly started leaking, after months of no to few leaks, and my AHI has gone up correspondingly. I've changed cushions about once a month, and just replaced the headgear which was getting sort of worn. So I am wondering if I need to replace the frame as well -- it looks fine and doesn't seem different to me, but that's the only thing that hasn't been changed. Is there a way to tell if it's stretched, or maybe developed some pinhole leaks, or ???
RE: Dreamwear leaking at six months - sheepless - 10-26-2019
IDK anything about your mask but it should be easy to check for holes in the hose. best way to determine if something is wrong is to try it with another part. maybe you have some old masks, hoses, cushions lying around? again IDK about your mask but the resmed p10's vent is said to plug up. regular cleaning isn't sufficient so it's best to blast with a water jet flosser. something to check with you mask. again with the p10, which may or may not be comparable to yours, the headgear strap is notorious for stretching. I use provided clips or a safety pin to take a loop out of it to tighten it up.
you should monitor your flow rate at the time of your leaks to determine if you are mouth leaking (look for abbreviated exhales). that would suggest some other options like a chin strap, soft cervical collar, ffm and taping.
fwiw, my leaks and/or ahi sometimes inexplicably rise. recently my ahi went up by a factor of 5, from roughly 0.2 to 1.0. unexpectedly, leaks seem to be falling at the same time. whatever, when it happens, after a week or so things usually settle down or I monkey with the settings until they do. no idea why it happens, just that it does and that it may or may not require attention. like with most things cpap, wait to see if it's a one-off or a trend, if you haven't already determined that, while you test or replace the peripherals.
RE: Dreamwear leaking at six months - Sleepster - 10-26-2019
(10-26-2019, 01:11 PM)bemused Wrote: At six months my Dreamwear nasal cushion mask has suddenly started leaking, after months of no to few leaks, and my AHI has gone up correspondingly.
Can you post your leak rate graph?
Quote:Is there a way to tell if it's stretched, or maybe developed some pinhole leaks, or ???
Try a new one and see. Masks are designed to last three months, although many people report getting years of use out of them.
One possibility is that you are mouth-leaking. That's why I would like to see your leak rate graph.
RE: Dreamwear leaking at six months - bemused - 10-26-2019
I have just started taping my mouth as I've been waking up with dry mouth. And last night was somewhat better. So I will try that for a while and see how it goes. But probably will also order a new frame for the mask.