Oh, Mr Red Frowny Face you frustrate me!

[allynpsych]

I'm adjusting to therapy finally! I am now regularly wearing my mask for 4 - 6 hours every night (got 2 Silver Badges from MyAir for it, as silly as it sounds that little token of positive reinforcement did actually make me happy). However, for the past week and a half I'm plagued with Mr. Red Frowny Face for leaks nearly every morning! Admittedly, I'm using a headband as a chins trap, but the ones you can buy look like bondage gear and I'm not ready for my sleep therapy to move in that direction yet!

My husband reports that a couple times during the night my machine ramps up like a jet engine, much louder then when it's at full pressure. Then I snort a bit or roll over and it goes back down to the normal quiet breathy noise. I have a single pressure machine, so the only reason I can think of is that it's compensating for a leak??

It's particularly frustrating because the past few mornings I've been waking up feeling better, no dry mouth or dry tongue, no headache, feeling more rested than before I had the machine. I know I do have some mouth leaks because sometimes they wake me up, and some mask leaks because usually that's what wakes me up around 3am.. usually I can re-seat it, roll over and go back to sleep.

I have to download the latest SH data this weekend, but I've done all the steps to reduce leaks, (clean face and mask, sticky chapsitck, chin strap - of sorts - mask not too tight) and I'm still getting our little cranky red friend on the report in the morning.

TL;DR... grumbling about leaks.

[robysue]

for the past week and a half I'm plagued with Mr. Red Frowny Face for leaks nearly every morning!
...
My husband reports that a couple times during the night my machine ramps up like a jet engine, much louder then when it's at full pressure. Then I snort a bit or roll over and it goes back down to the normal quiet breathy noise. I have a single pressure machine, so the only reason I can think of is that it's compensating for a leak??

You've identified the reason the machine's blower is ramping up correctly: In the presence of a leak, the machine pumps more air into the system in an effort to maintain the correct pressure. If the machine's blower is ramping all the up to the point where it sounds like a jet engine, you've most likely got a very large leak.

Perhaps you are mouth breathing. Ask hubby to try to determine whether there's a lot of air coming out of your mouth. Or perhaps the mask is ajar on your face and the air is leaking out the sides. Or both.

But what seems to happen is that you wind up noticing the leak just enough to roll over or whatever, and that minor movement fixes the leak, most likely by encouraging you to shut your mouth.

It's particularly frustrating because the past few mornings I've been waking up feeling better, no dry mouth or dry tongue, no headache, feeling more rested than before I had the machine. I know I do have some mouth leaks because sometimes they wake me up, and some mask leaks because usually that's what wakes me up around 3am.. usually I can re-seat it, roll over and go back to sleep.

So mouth breathing is an issue. If you're not ready for a chin strap, you could try taping. Or you could try using a soft cerivical collar instead of a chin strap. Or you could try using a full face mask.

I have to download the latest SH data this weekend, but I've done all the steps to reduce leaks, (clean face and mask, sticky chapsitck, chin strap - of sorts - mask not too tight) and I'm still getting our little cranky red friend on the report in the morning.

The thing is that the clean face and mask, sticky chapstick, and mask not too tight tricks do NOT address a mouth that opens up wide enough to cause serious leaking.

And your homemade chinstrap is not preventing you from mouth breathing. And it does sound like your problem is indeed mouth breathing.

[Possum]

It sounds like you already know what the issue is - massive mouth leak. I'm afraid there are only 2 solutions to that: 1) Learn how not to mouth-breathe, or 2) Move to a full-face mask.

I rarely have this problem, which I'm grateful for, however the few times I've woken up with my mouth open and the "jet engine" air effect blowing out of my mind, I get in the half-stomach half-side sleeping position I call "the mountainclimber" and bury my chin in my pillow. The weight on my chin helps me to keep my mouth closed.

Good luck.

[allynpsych]

Mostly I was just whining. I'm trying out some new chin strap ideas before I commit to buying a "real" one. I love the nasal mask otherwise and dislike strongly the ffm.

[green wings]

Hi Ally. Congrats on adjusting to your mask and machine. That's a big step forward.


What do you use the chapstick for? I haven't heard about that before.

[FrankNichols]

I was so frustrated with my P10 (because I really really like it) and mouth breathing I was considering using super glue on my lips... sigh.

[OpalRose]

Mostly I was just whining. I'm trying out some new chin strap ideas before I commit to buying a "real" one. I love the nasal mask otherwise and dislike strongly the ffm.

I guess it's ok to whine, but that won't fix your leaks.
Have you tried mask liners? Buy a "real" chin strap. I don't know what chap stick will do except keep your lips soft.

I used a chin strap when I first started, but once I mastered the tongue technique,
I didn't need it.

Practice it, it takes time and patience.

Place your tongue to the roof of your mouth with tip of tongue behind front teeth.
Suck upwards gently. When you do this, the tongue forms a natural seal at back of throat and even if your mouth/jaw were to drop open, no air will come out.

Oh, and one more thing. Mr. Frowny/Happy face is ok to let you know something is right or needs attention, but you should depend more on Sleepyhead leak Stats to guide you.

Good luck, I know you'll get it under control. It's trial and error, and takes time and patience.

[eseedhouse]

I was so frustrated with my P10 (because I really really like it) and mouth breathing I was considering using super glue on my lips... sigh.

At least that's one way to lose weight...

[zonk]

My husband reports that a couple times during the night my machine ramps up like a jet engine, much louder then when it's at full pressure. Then I snort a bit or roll over and it goes back down to the normal quiet breathy noise. I have a single pressure machine, so the only reason I can think of is that it's compensating for a leak??

I'm have no idea how a fixed machine compensate for leaks, maybe increase in motor speed. I use an AutoSet, I think extra pressure for leaks would be counter productive and drive leaks to go even higher but haven't looked into this in details
My guess, the source of the "jet engine" noise is from mask leaks, different mask might works better, I would have Mr Red Frowny if have to use single pressure 15 all night long
As for SleepyHead, not 100% sure if works with the machine in profile "ResMed AirSense10 CPAP" as this model is not full data machine like its cousin the "Elite" model. ResScan shows summary data without detailed data but windows only

[OpalRose]

zonk is correct, if you have the AirSense 10 CPAP as stated in your profile, then it is not a fully data capable machine.
I have to wonder with a pressure of 15, why you were not given an Auto CPAP.