how much leak is okay ?

[chelseauk]

I really don't think i can seal my mask totally without crushing my head !

As such the question is how much leak is okay.

(Remstar auto and comfort full).

The machine is currently saying 54 lpm and the mask port rate is about 38 at the pressure (17.8) that the auto is running at. Some of that may be all the testing ! (Running it at 18 while i try to fit the mask).

The thing is whilst the tech at the hospital said some leaks are okay - what's some ? A small hiss, a gale !

Also i've read that the auto machines are pretty good at ramping up the pressure to compensate - (After all the machine leaks air thro the port constantly) and also i've read on an american site (I almost feel like a trator - listen to them yanks ) that leaks round the chin are okay, eyes are not (and anything that wakes you up isn't okay - obviously).

So i've think i need to give up on the perfect seal - the question is - how can i tell if it's too leaky!

[Joe McManus]

Well, there's two things to keep in mind concerning leakage.

One is comfort. It makes noise and can blow in your eyes, causing eye irritation. Too much leakage would cause too much discomfort.

The other is efficiency. The goal of CPAP is to avoid apnoea episodes. If air leaks, the air splint isn't as effective as it could be so the AHI could go up again.

What is too much and what is acceptable? A balance of enough comfort and a healthy AHI is the answer. Which isn't really an answer.

The occasional night with leakage is OK but judging by most people's experiences, I wouldn't settle for leakage being part of every night.

Have you confirmed the mask size is appropriate? Most come in S, M or L and the difference can be huge.

[puffin]

I wish they would make an in between size. Between small and midium. The differance between the two IS quite large.

[Joe McManus]

Agree! They do on some models, ranging from petite to XXL but most modern masks are either small, medium or large, or one size supposedly fits all.

[chelseauk]

I was thinking that on the way home ! Something akin to 1/2 sizes - i don't know about anyone else - but i'd even pay a bit more if it was a special order. I'm really not sure though how one size is meant to cover 25% or so of people - just look at how much people's faces and mouths vary !

I've got the horrible feeling it's the joy of being in on the early stages of the medical industry really catching on to SA (I realise it's been recognised for a while - but it's not really out there like say ME/CFS).

Say to someone you have CFS/ME and they know roughly what it is -no one i've told had a clue what SA was.

If all the people who are meant to be silently suffering where identified - i suspect costs for production would ramp down - and mid sizes become more of the norm.

I'll just have to think of myself as a trail blazer !