help requested with ahi

[rogerncormier74]

Hey guys, last night I tried again by setting Flex off as suggested.  My AHI number did go down, however I had a leak for at least part of the night that I know must have made my readings higher.  I find for some reason I get more episodes when I am awake.  When i am trying to fall asleep and wake up.  When I wake up during the night and I am restless.  I find I can feel myself forgetting to breathe at times for at least the 10 seconds it needs to flag an apnea during those times at times.
As for the leak, I know for sure that it was leaking around 3.  I noticed I woke up at 3, the F20 mask was no longer seated correctly.  the bottom on the mask was above my mouth, so my mouth was no longer in the mask.  I could hear the leak and my mouth was super dry.  Not sure how long that was going on for before i noticed.
I'm not really sure how to read the leak  rate chart.  Not sure what the leaks look like and what to look for.
Thoughts?  And thanks guys.

[jaswilliams]

Leaks look fine there are no Large Leak flags in the events, and Phillips include intentional leaks and other leaks in the one figure. Depending on your mask any value below about 70 L/M is good

[Walla Walla]

When the mask slipped above your mouth didn't really show up much on the chart. It looks like you had some leaks but nothing large. When your jaw relaxes it will drop and allow the mask to ride up past your mouth. A chin strap or soft cervical collar can prevent that. A lot people think that chin straps and collars are just for nasal/pillow masks which is wrong. If you keep having problems with your jaw dropping I'd give one of them a try.

[Sleeprider]

Flex is usually best set to 1 or off. If you have been using a higher setting, then 1 is a more logical move than fully off, however these results are an improvement over 8-11 with the higher Flex. With regard to an increase in central events last night, you describe a disrupted feeling of sleep, so we are not going to count this as an indication of your future treatment efficacy. Give it some time and it will probably settle into better results.

[rogerncormier74]

Thanks.  I will try the cervical collar tonight.  I had bought one at the pharmacy recently.  I had some good results a few nights with it a few weeks back, but found it a little uncomfortable at the time, so stopped wearing it to see.  The pharmacy had only one left, which was a 4 inch tall one.  Almost seemed too tall to me.  Almost seemed like I should perhaps try a shorter one.  Like 3 inch or something.  Also had some successes around then with the chin strap. Will put that on tonight also.
Me using the F20 now was so I could find a mask I could use as a backup when I could have colds and a plugged nose.  To make sure I still had a mask that would work for me.  When I got the F20 though I had thought to myself that maybe I should try the mask without the collar and without the chin strap, as I thought maybe you didnt need the chin strap since it was a full face mask.  Because of what was said, I realize that isnt necessarily true though.  I do really like the F20, so if I can get my numbers down pretty good with it its possible I may just use it as my main mask.  Main issues I have with it is when I have an itchy nose.  Wakes me up and annoying to get at.  lol.  My other masks are the AirFit N20 and the Dreamwear.  I was having problems with leaks with both of those, so im off those for now.

Also, whats all the patches that appear on the flow rate graph around the same time I had all the events around 3:10 or so? What do those mean?
And I also notice a respiratory rate drop around the same time.
Just trying to understand how to read all these graphs, thats all. lol.

[Walla Walla]

If by patches your talking about the dashes at the top those indicate pressure pulses the machine sends out to try and determine if it's an obstructive or clear airway event. As far as the respiratory rate dropping it's because your not breathing or the airway is blocked.

[rogerncormier74]

Yes, by patches I was meaning it was showing multiple lines on top at that time mentioned and multiple colored lines at the bottom of that graph.
Thanks for your explanation.

[Hojo]

When I was fitted for a collar they gave me one that really was for a neck injury (size) and it was too large and I couldn't sleep with it.    To help keep my neck straight all I needed was a mid size collar and it does the trick perfectly.

[rogerncormier74]

How tall was your collar?

[rogerncormier74]

Here are my numbers for last night with the soft cervical collar and chin strap. A lot better. The cervical collar is still the one I had previously that seems a bit too tall.
What do you guys think of the stats?  Anything else I can do?  Thanks.