Leak rate question
I have a S9 Autoset machine with the humidifier. Recently I have a cold and I have a question. Does having a cold affect the 'leak rate' of a machine? I use the Airfit P10 nasal pillow. I have only two pillows, which I alternate nightly. The pillows themselves are probably 6-8 weeks old. Or is it the pillows that are becoming old that makes the leak rate higher? One night the leak rate was 9, last night leak rate was 23, another night leak rate was 30.
In regard to the pillows, how do you know when it is time to replace them?
Thanks for any comments.
RE: Leak rate question
Hi GrammaBear,
You might try a sinus wrince, such as Neomed; it comes in a bottle from what I have read here on the board. The wrinces help you to clear your head before you llye down to sleep.
Hang in there for more suggestions.
Hope you feel better, soon.
trish6hundred
RE: Leak rate question
I remember looking at the leak rate chart on the ResMed site for my nasal mask and the leak rate changed according to the pressure. So I guess in answer to your question if it is an autoset, then the higher the pressure the more it is designed to leak at the exhaust port. If your sinuses are plugged up, I would think it would use a higher pressure to get through that, but I could be wrong.
Mike
As always, YMMV! You do not have to agree or disagree, I am not a professional so my mental meanderings are simply recollections of things from my own life.
PRS1 - Auto - A-Flex x2 - 12.50 - 20 - Humid x2 - Swift FX
RE: Leak rate question
(02-27-2014, 10:55 AM)GrammaBear Wrote: I have a S9 Autoset machine with the humidifier. Recently I have a cold and I have a question. Does having a cold affect the 'leak rate' of a machine? I use the Airfit P10 nasal pillow. I have only two pillows, which I alternate nightly. The pillows themselves are probably 6-8 weeks old. Or is it the pillows that are becoming old that makes the leak rate higher? One night the leak rate was 9, last night leak rate was 23, another night leak rate was 30.
In regard to the pillows, how do you know when it is time to replace them?
Thanks for any comments.
Depending on how stuffed up you are, the cold could cause you to mouth-breathe, which is a 'leak' in itself.
Personally, I have found that raising my humidity to just under rain-out helps to un-stuff me so I can breathe. Others may like the reverse.
I have always had a FFM as a backup for really bad nights that I felt I could not breathe through my nose.
As for replacing parts, personally I do not replace anything until it actually dies - but many others replace the 'pillows' as often as every 90 days.
HTH
*I* am not a DOCTOR or any type of Health Care Professional. My thoughts/suggestions/ideas are strictly only my opinions.
"Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American Soldier. One died for your Soul, the other for your Freedom."
RE: Leak rate question
Everyone has their preference on changing out supplies. I don't want to have to try and figure out if it is time to replace them so I replace them according to the medicare guidelines.
RE: Leak rate question
As Pete, the Tricycle King mentioned, if you have a stuffy nose you will compensate for that by breathing though your mouth. Don't worry too much about it until you get over your cold, then see where you are. If it continues to be a problem then you might consider a chinstrap, or even a different mask, such as a full face mask. But you had successes before, so I'm confident you'll get back there (under 24 leak rate) once your body decides it no longer wishes to experience a stuffy cold.
RE: Leak rate question
(02-27-2014, 10:55 AM)GrammaBear Wrote: One night the leak rate was 9, last night leak rate was 23, another night leak rate was 30.
It's hard to say because we're looking only at average leak rates. You need software so you can see the leak rate graph. You'll be able to tell at a glance if you're spending significant amounts of time in large leak. If that's the case, and I suspect it might be, then your problem could be mouth-leaking.
Are you using a chin strap and is it tight enough? As mine wears out I have to tighten it. It should be loose enough that you can talk comfortably, but if you try chewing it should be uncomfortable.
Quote:In regard to the pillows, how do you know when it is time to replace them?
That's a tough one. Insurance regs in the US used to say every two weeks, but now seem to be saying every 3-4 weeks. In other countries the regs seem to indicate that they should last much longer.
I remember replacing a two-week-old pillow and thinking it was significantly different. But I've got two I've been alternating for three months now and they seem fine. 
Sleepster
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RE: Leak rate question
(02-27-2014, 10:55 AM)GrammaBear Wrote: One night the leak rate was 9, last night leak rate was 23, another night leak rate was 30. Mine does vary from one night to the next too, as far as the machine concerned its not a problem as long as Mr Smiley (not Mr Frowny) shows up on the screen. If your mouth feel dry in the morning might indicate some mouth breathing, full face face is not a bad idea until you get over the cold. Get well soon
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