10-13-2023, 09:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-13-2023, 09:39 AM by BlueSky1958.)
What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
I've been hovering between 3-10% a night for some time (sometimes as high as 15% but almost never higher). AHI score is almost always below 1, sometime as high as 2.5 but virtually never higher. Is this a good place to be? I know lower better, but is this really an issue or good enough to be happy and forget it it? Not really sure what I could do to improve it anyway. I suspect it's simply a matter of my nasal mask shifting as I move from side to side on the pillow.
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
I usually try to target 95% leak rate of 0.00 - one thing to keep in mind is these leaks are likely causing arousals or micro-awakenings which are bad because they fragment your sleep. Given that the percentage of leak is that high makes it unlikely it's coming from your mask. It's probably the pressure blowing your mouth open at night which mouth tape, chin strap, etc would solve.
10-13-2023, 09:40 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-13-2023, 09:42 AM by SarcasticDave94.)
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
I'm not yet familiar with the current 11 series ResMed, but large leak is likely still identified as over 24 L/Min. With what you're indicating, you're likely OK.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
(10-13-2023, 09:40 AM)SarcasticDave94 Wrote: I'm not yet familiar with the current 11 series ResMed, but large leak is likely still identified as over 24 L/Min. With what you're indicating, you're likely OK.
Correct on 24.
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
(10-13-2023, 09:40 AM)gainerfull Wrote: I usually try to target 95% leak rate of 0.00 - one thing to keep in mind is these leaks are likely causing arousals or micro-awakenings which are bad because they fragment your sleep. Given that the percentage of leak is that high makes it unlikely it's coming from your mask. It's probably the pressure blowing your mouth open at night which mouth tape, chin strap, etc would solve.
Assuming you may have the cause nailed down, would the course of action be to experiment with slightly lower pressure and see what happens?
10-13-2023, 10:03 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-13-2023, 10:04 AM by SarcasticDave94.)
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
FWIW my last 2 therapy machines were a ResMed AirCurve 10 ASV and ST-A, and my max leaks were about 10-12 L/Min. My max IPAP was 25 cmH2O. Mask was an F&P Vitera.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
(10-13-2023, 09:50 AM)BlueSky1958 Wrote: Assuming you may have the cause nailed down, would the course of action be to experiment with slightly lower pressure and see what happens?
No, the pressure is where it is presumably to keep your airway open while you're sleeping. Your options to control your leaks are essentially different options at preventing your mouth from opening at night. This includes taping your mouth shut w/ cloth medical tape and breathing exclusively through your nose, wearing a chinstrap tight enough to keep your mouth closed, wearing a soft cervical collar or all three.
Another option is switching to a full face mask that is comfortable for you. I'm not talking about the hybrid ones either - I'd recommend an resmed f20.
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
(10-13-2023, 09:40 AM)SarcasticDave94 Wrote: I'm not yet familiar with the current 11 series ResMed, but large leak is likely still identified as over 24 L/Min. With what you're indicating, you're likely OK.
I'm curious - what dooes the "L" stand for in "L/Min"? It can't be liters, can it? 24 liters in one miniute sounds like a very large leak.
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
Yes, L is liters. Like a 24L soda bottle.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
RE: What is an "acceptable" Large Leak percent?
(10-13-2023, 09:45 PM)SarcasticDave94 Wrote: Yes, L is liters. Like a 24L soda bottle.
OK, but a liter is just over a quart. That makes 24 liters just over six gallons. A soda bottle might be 24 oz., not 24 liters. Over six gallons every minute all night long seems like an awful lot of leakage.
