[CPAP] CPAP Stopped Recording; Due to Large Leak with new FFM?

[UsuallyTired]

Last night, I tried using a ResMed F30i for the first time, after trying N30 cushions for the past year or two. However, the machine stopped recording for 3 hours starting just after midnight, and I don't know why. Any ideas? 

I did not take my mask off or turn off the CPAP during this time period. 

(There is a 2-min gap around 3:17am, which  I did turn it off and go to the bathroom.) 

If the leak exceeds a certain threshold, do ResMed CPAPs just stop recording data? 

Due to other advice on this forum, I've recently adjusted my settings and increased my pressure, and my AHI and RERAs have greatly improved. However, I persistently vent out through my mouth at any pressure above 6, hence my decision to try a FFM. The venting often wakes me up. 

Subjectively, I felt much better last night. Objectively, my HRV was significantly above my baseline (great!). My SpO2 did drop for the same time period as this missing data (bad!).  

Other questions: 

1. Since I subjectively felt better, should I worry about the amount of Large Leaks? 
   
2. Any tips for limiting leaks? I didn't feel/hear much leaking, but apparently they were there. When I settle on a mask, I can try RemZzzs liners. 
   
3. Any other observations or comments about my experience or Oscar? 
   

Thanks

   

[Jay51]

Thank you for posting that.  These are the worst leaks that I have personally ever seen.  80% of the time you are over the acceptable leak limit.  24L/min is the cut off line for acceptable leaks.  

Here are some tips for mask leaks.  If you can get the leaks down, your data will become more reliable.  Mask Primer

[UsuallyTired]

Thanks, Jay51. 

I don't understand why the leaks are so bad. I feel like I would have noticed that the leaks were so bad. Are masks ever bad or vent too much? 

I ask b/c I just tested this mask wide awake. I do have a very short beard. It still showed leaks, even when I was pushing on it to be as tight as possible. 

I could always tell when I had a leak with my nasal cushion. However, this has so many vents, I wonder if the machine is considering some of the vents as leaks.

[HalfAsleep]

I’ll bet you could be feeling much better than the “good enough” right now.

Eek! You’re exhaling like a dragon; air must be flying like blazes out of your mouth. Your unit can’t be giving you any therapy. Thus, the low AHI. In fact, it gets to a point when your unit can’t sense you at the other end of the hose. That’s the big gap.

So, there’s no way to evaluate settings, until you control leaks. Do you happen to have an FFM on hand? Depending, it may be a good idea to learn how to control leaks with an FFM; at least air wouldn’t be pouring out of your mouth unhindered. Then, keep working at it. Ask folks for ideas. When you’re squared away in a week or two, post some new Oscars, exactly to spec.

Anything you learn about leaks will be a transferable skill to use with any other mask. Yep, it’s a skill to minimize mask leaks.

I use an F40. It’s quite minimal. For me, it’s low leak. I even discovered lately that I can wipe my face with a mask wipe, and it sticks to my chin super well. I also use a cervical collar, because I don’t like a dry mouth. It also helps with leaks. But get more tips! Look up lankylefty on YouTube…

PS your unit is not considering vents as leaks. It knows the difference.