Feeling air blowing near my nasal pillow

[tierdal]

My machine seems to have no problem keep a preasure...but lately ive started to feel a l slight blowing of air around my nasal pillow...is this normal? It finds well as far as i can tell...

[SarcasticDave94]

Where is the air coming from? There should be air exiting the vent on pillows and nasal masks or you'd need to exhale through your mouth.

[Crimson Nape]

From my experience, leakage is a sign that it is time to replace the pillow.

[Sleeprider]

There is a vent at the front of that mask. The mesh does a pretty good job of keeping that air quiet and not directly blowing away from the mask, but it is noticeable. The P10 had problems with the diffusion mesh becoming clogged, and I have noticed more recent masks flow a bit more air.

[tierdal]

So is it broken or not? Lol One poster says replace other says its normal?

[tierdal]

My last 3 days is here...is m CPAP working? AM I getting good sleep? I cantmake heads or tails of this. It doesnt look like i have anyleak?

https://imgur.com/zgXx2O3
https://imgur.com/JbD2czr
https://imgur.com/dr87u7r

[SarcasticDave94]

The Max leak rate listed for 4/5 was 27.x and 4/6 at 32.x. This represents over the 24 L/min ResMed redline, so there is a leak issue to work on.

Are you getting good sleep? That's for you to answer. It's subject to are you rested, are you feeling better for the therapy. The OSCAR numbers tell us whether or not therapy is doing its job, hitting the medically treated targets, but you subjectively need to answer if you feel it is doing a good or bad job.

[mesenteria]

My mask leaks a bit, a nasal mask, and it's now 3 years and 3 months old.  I have found that the head gear straps 'let go' a bit over time.  I currently have mine quite a bit more turned up onto the velcro than they were the first year.  Oddly, my cushion seems as good as new.  It has it's original shape, hasn't gotten flimsy, doesn't appear to have micro-tears around the periphery of the seal rim, and it still looks the same, no discoloration.  

Looking at your first chart only, I see some minor leakage, probably not more than what a good many have for short periods during the night.  As we move about, our pillow moves, changes shape, and we will find our cushions being displaced a bit or being deformed, often some of both.  It's little wonder we get some leakage.  What is unfortunate is that, if we generally don't leak, and we have sensitive skin, we'll be aroused by air flitting across the tiny hairs and generating sensations that are not normal.

I sleep with my hands curled under my chin, me turned on my side.  As a side sleeper, you can bet my mask has to move around.  But, my arm hairs tickle my face, often just when I'm about to pass out.  As I fall asleep, I believe I sag a bit as I lose tone, and the hairs dig into the skin or rub across it.  Wakes me up. The bleeding air from under our masks does the same thing.

[tierdal]

Thanks guys! As long as the AHI is low is it fine?
Also how do you have a 3 year old mask? Arent you supposed to replace monthly???

[SarcasticDave94]

As long as you've got good numbers and feel better for using the PAP then you're OK.

Most masks and other consumable parts last longer than DME's suggest in replacement times. Much like 3k oil changes, it generates money to someone.