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Switched off EPR, large leaks normal?
#1
Switched off EPR, large leaks normal?
I tried switching Off EPR(3) last night, and raised Min Pressure from 8 to 9, and reduced Max 20 to 13 (i.e. bracketed 95% point by 2cm either side) to see if I could improve on the already "treated" AHI (it didn't have any significant impact within the normal range of values)

90% Leak rate jumped significantly (2% to 12%) and noticed my mouth was now open a good chunk of the night (where as it hasn't been so far).  Had very dry mouth this morning too and blew through a tank of water and obviously feel tired.

It's an Airlift P10 with Airsense 10.

Going to switch back to the previous settings tonight.  Is changing to opening your mouth the way the body compensates for the increase in pressure with nasal pillows, i.e. too much pressure and you start to need a chin strap?

Last night EPR Off, Min/Max 9-13
[Image: 62DPeA2.png] 

Previous Night:  EPR(3) Min/Max: 8-20:
[Image: 0Zt3znB.png]
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#2
RE: Switched off EPR, large leaks normal?
You might have switched too much at once. Lowering the EPR will force you to put more effort into exhale (you might even feel like you can't breathe). Increasing pressure can also force you to put more effort into exhale. You may be tugging at the mask because it's too hard to exhale (it might become easier with practice), ergo LEAK!

If you're raising the pressure, keep the EPR the same until you adjust. After you adjust, make another change.

Maybe you could post your SleepHead chart with the panel that shows pressure. This should tell you if there is a relationship between the pressure and the leak. You could even zoom in on what is happening with the wave forms when the leak initiates.

Then, using SleepyHead, you'll also be able to tell whether a pressure change helps you, an EPR change helps, or both.

The issue might not be exhale, necessarily. You could have fidgeted with the mask for most any reason including the air was too dry, the dry air was making you itch, so you just had to scratch your nose....
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#3
RE: Switched off EPR, large leaks normal?
I would keep the 9-13 or even 8-13 pressure and add the EPR back in. I assume that was more comfortable, and I don't see any reason not to use it.
Sleeprider
Apnea Board Moderator
www.ApneaBoard.com

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