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+--- Thread: Does this make sense? High leak low AHI (/Thread-Does-this-make-sense-High-leak-low-AHI)
Does this make sense? High leak low AHI - Daso - 04-20-2015
Although I have felt more alert in the afternoon since using Cpap, lately my 4 month old swift fx nasal pillow seems to be leaking more easily when I move (no mouth breathing anymore). Here's what I don't understand. I've had consecutive nights of high leak rates (22ml-26ml) with AHI's of .1 or .2 which is better than nights with low leak rates. I guess I have to tighten the straps a bit more but I woke up with some marks which tok a while to go away in the morning when I tightened the straps last time.
RE: Does this make sense? High leak low AHI - retired_guy - 04-20-2015
If your leak rate is below 26, you really don't have to do anything.
Take a look at your leak graph. Is it always in the range of 20-26, or does it just get there once in awhile? What is the average (mean) leak rate?
Sometimes in trying too hard to have perfect leak numbers we end up compromising comfort or mask integrity. So don't do that. Wash the pillows, replace them if they're getting old, use a little lanolin on your nose to help the seal. But don't be tightening up too much on the straps. You're doing very well where you're at, so you don't want to break it in your zeal to improve it.
RE: Does this make sense? High leak low AHI - trailrider - 04-20-2015
Hi Daso, pillows wear out over time and need replacing...about every 3-4 months. You may need a new set. On the other hand, if you don't care about the leak rate and have low AHI, don't worry about it. I preordered a set of three off the internet so I will have them on hand in the future when needed.
RE: Does this make sense? High leak low AHI - Daso - 04-21-2015
(04-20-2015, 09:24 PM)retired_guy Wrote: If your leak rate is below 26, you really don't have to do anything.
Take a look at your leak graph. Is it always in the range of 20-26, or does it just get there once in awhile? What is the average (mean) leak rate?
Sometimes in trying too hard to have perfect leak numbers we end up compromising comfort or mask integrity. So don't do that. Wash the pillows, replace them if they're getting old, use a little lanolin on your nose to help the seal. But don't be tightening up too much on the straps. You're doing very well where you're at, so you don't want to break it in your zeal to improve it.
I typically have leak rates in the 5-7ml range but what is confusing to me is that since I've had the leaking over the past week, my AHI's have been consistently better .1-.2 vs .5-.7 AHI. I have a hard time really understanding the sleepyhead data
(04-20-2015, 09:25 PM)trailrider Wrote: Hi Daso, pillows wear out over time and need replacing...about every 3-4 months. You may need a new set. On the other hand, if you don't care about the leak rate and have low AHI, don't worry about it. I preordered a set of three off the internet so I will have them on hand in the future when needed.
I'm going to order a replacement pillow tomorrow, thanks