Leak Problems After 1.5 Years Of Successful CPAP Therapy
For 1.5 years I used my CPAP successfully. I settled in to P30i cushion for my AirSense 10. In March 2025 I started having leak issues, although I didn't notice it until April when the myAir app emailed me after identifying continued leak issues.
The issue seems to be gradually getting worse but I can't identify the cause.
A few things to note:
- I did not use my CPAP for 2 days in March due to having a baby and staying in the hospital. Oddly my issues seem to start around the same time but nothing about my equipment or usage changed, other than the expected shifts in my sleep schedule.
- I have since settled back in to a "normal" sleep schedule at this point, but the leaks persist.
- I have replaced my cushion and headgear. I have fully cleaned the tube, etc. A leak test does not detect any leaks so it doesn't appear to be an equipment issue.
- My settings have remained the same.
- I believe I have been opening my mouth in my sleep more recently, but I'm not sure why that would start seemingly out of the blue.
- It's worth mentioning I have lost nearly 40 pounds in the last 2 months (not sure if relevant but not a whole lot else has really changed... ya know outside of another baby
)
I will be trying a full face mask tonight, but if anyone has advice I would greatly appreciate it. I really have enjoyed the pillows so I would like to get back to using them but my sleep quality has been too bad that I have to try something. I will explore tape/chin strap as well, but wanted to see if there's something I'm missing.
Here's a few recent screenshots from OSCAR.
Last Night
Two Nights Ago
RE: Leak Problems After 1.5 Years Of Successful CPAP Therapy
It will be interesting to see how you go with a full face mask, but yes, I would say you are 'leaking' via your mouth
I could see a correlation between increasing pressure and the 'leaks' occurring. My pressure averages 14+, so I definitely have to have a chin strap if I am not using the full face mask (I alternate depending on congestion and other factors). Depending on how much you are turning in your sleep, you will have times when your mouth will naturally be closed even with higher pressures. I find for myself that my mouth can be closed but my lips will part under minimal pressure, but the chin straps do help enourmously.
RE: Leak Problems After 1.5 Years Of Successful CPAP Therapy
Thanks for the reply! The full face mask was a total game changer, virtually no leaks and my AHI is way down too.
I'm most thrown off by why this started being an issue seemingly out of nowhere. 1.5 years of pillow usage without any problems then I guess I decided it was time to open my mouth in my sleep...
Oh well, I'll stick w/ the F40 at this point. Very much worth it.
RE: Leak Problems After 1.5 Years Of Successful CPAP Therapy
Consider using a 2x5 strip of Kinesiology Tape, regular original cotton elastic Athletic Tape or a SomNoSeal, a soft, flexible mouthpiece that prevents mouth breathing and dry mouth during sleep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u_S1ADwVmA
RE: Leak Problems After 1.5 Years Of Successful CPAP Therapy
I also use the p30i. I had mouth breathing problems, they have been mostly corrected with a cervical collar. It's a bit tricky to find the right one, it needs to be tall enough and stiff enough to keep my mouth shut.
I also had problems where the headgear would slip up the back of my head. This would loosen and twist the pillows. I now use the headgear from the Respironics DreamWear pillow mask, the one with the plastic side pieces. I buy inexpensive 3rd party headgear on Amazon, it's inexpensive. The Respironics headgear fits the P30i almost perfectly.
With these changes I have many fewer leaks. May or may not apply to you.
