01-25-2025, 08:22 PM
(This post was last modified: 01-25-2025, 08:30 PM by Johnny Sequoyah. Edited 1 time in total.)
Does CPAP machine work effectively with Large Leak?
My father-in-law's CPAP machine shows a Large Leak for 49% of the night. Yet, his AHI is only 4.33. Does that mean that the machine is successfully compensating for the Large Leak OR does the Large Leak mean the machine can't get a good reading on his AHI? It seems to me that his machine can't possibly be treating his sleep apnea very well, if there is a Large Leak for half the night. Yet, I would have expected his AHI to be very high, if the machine wasn't able to treat his sleep apnea effectively. Also, I would have expected the machine to start pumping very high pressures, to make up for the Large Leak. But, his Average Pressure is only 7.19 and his pressure is 12.16 for 95% of the time.
The doctor didn't seem concerned about the Large Leak. I've been trying to convince my father-in-law that he cannot use the nasal pillows (ResMed AirFit P10) because he often opens his mouth while he sleeps (and the air from the machine goes out his mouth, and never reaches his throat to fix his Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA). But, my father-in-law hates wearing any kind of full face mask. We tried various devices (like chin straps and mouth tape) but when the pressure reaches 14 or 16, the air breaks through his lips anyway.
Also, he doesn't even wear the nasal pillows tight enough. Sometimes air leaks from his nostrils (because the seal is inadequate).
I tried to get the doctor to tell my father-in-law that he needs to wear a full face mask, otherwise the machine is useless. But, the doctor said "the Large Leak must not be a problem because his AHI is low, and that's all that counts". Is that true? Is that accurate?
Why would the manufacturer say that the leak must be below 24 liters per minute, if it doesn't matter if the leak is larger than 24 and lasts for a long time?
I'm attaching a screenshot from Oscar showing his leak and other numbers. I'm also attaching a graph view from one of his nights.
He has an AirSense 11 AutoSet.
Any opinions or insights would be greatly appreciated. I don't know if I should be arguing with the doctor, searching for a new doctor, or believing the doctor.
The doctor didn't seem concerned about the Large Leak. I've been trying to convince my father-in-law that he cannot use the nasal pillows (ResMed AirFit P10) because he often opens his mouth while he sleeps (and the air from the machine goes out his mouth, and never reaches his throat to fix his Obstructive Sleep Apnea OSA). But, my father-in-law hates wearing any kind of full face mask. We tried various devices (like chin straps and mouth tape) but when the pressure reaches 14 or 16, the air breaks through his lips anyway.
Also, he doesn't even wear the nasal pillows tight enough. Sometimes air leaks from his nostrils (because the seal is inadequate).
I tried to get the doctor to tell my father-in-law that he needs to wear a full face mask, otherwise the machine is useless. But, the doctor said "the Large Leak must not be a problem because his AHI is low, and that's all that counts". Is that true? Is that accurate?
Why would the manufacturer say that the leak must be below 24 liters per minute, if it doesn't matter if the leak is larger than 24 and lasts for a long time?
I'm attaching a screenshot from Oscar showing his leak and other numbers. I'm also attaching a graph view from one of his nights.
He has an AirSense 11 AutoSet.
Any opinions or insights would be greatly appreciated. I don't know if I should be arguing with the doctor, searching for a new doctor, or believing the doctor.