Mouth taping vs. not-Encore Pro Reports

[Jerry69]

This chart is without mouth taping, from the night before last. The first almost 2 hours is with the Swift. Note that there is only one episode of leaking, other than the vent rate leaking of well over 25 liters/min.

The second segment of about 3 hours (through hour 4-1/2) is with the Aura. There is considerable leaking, as there is for the remainder of the night with the Breeze. The Aura and the Breeze have the same vent-rate leaking, which is considerably less than the Swift. [The vent-rate leak is given by the horizontal line which is the at the base of the leak spikes.}

What I couldn't tell from the chart is whether the leaking was due to a loss of seal or mouth breathing. Note the maximum leak rate with the Aura and Breeze are only as high as the normal vent-rate leaking of the Swift. I'm sure that the high vent-rate is what makes the Swift roar. (I think I'll close some of the vent holes on the Swift to see if it reduces the noise level.)



The next chart is for last night, my first night with mouth taping, which BTW, wasn't bad at all.



Clearly, there is less leakage than the previous night. And, I know that I experienced some mouth leakage the previous night. So, if I could subtract the second night chart from the first, I'd be left with an indication of the mouth leakage on the previous night, as there was none last night because of the tape.

I invite interpretation from you chart readers.

• 1) How does the leaking compare with yours?
  2) Do you think that the machine records disordered breathing accurately when mouth or seal is leaking?
  3) Do you think the leaking shown on the previous night's chart suggest that tape should be used?

BTW, are these charts too wide for your screen display, i.e., do you have to scroll horizontally to see them? I suspect they might be, as my display is set up for 1280 x 1024. If so, I'll reduce them in the future.

Thanks,

Jerry

[rested gal]

The size of the charts you posted is fine on my monitor, Jerry. I didn't have to scroll sideways.

Your leak rate is extremely low both nights. My goodness, I wouldn't worry about it all with that low a leak rate! I think any leak rate below the mid-thirties with a Respironics machine is doing super well.

There's really no sure way to determine if leaks are from mouth or from mask. But either way, your leak rates are so low - no problem. Looks like you do well enough without tape to not really need taping.

I wouldn't cover any exhaust holes, if it were me.

[Jerry69]

The size of the charts you posted is fine on my monitor, Jerry. I didn't have to scroll sideways.

Your leak rate is extremely low both nights. My goodness, I wouldn't worry about it all with that low a leak rate! I think any leak rate below the mid-thirties with a Respironics machine is doing super well.

There's really no sure way to determine if leaks are from mouth or from mask. But either way, your leak rates are so low - no problem. Looks like you do well enough without tape to not really need taping.

I wouldn't cover any exhaust holes, if it were me.

Thanks, RG, for the opinion that I don't need to tape. It really wasn't so bad, however: No puffing with tape and dw didn't wake me up to tell me I was mouth breathing. I guess I'd rather not add taping to the regimen, however.

I suppose you feel that my leak rate is so low that the machine counts of disturbed sleeping events are not affected by the leakage? I mean, if mid-thirties is normal, and SDB counts are valid at that rate, mine must be with a leak rate of around 20? [All this board needed is a persnickety engineer, huh?]

Thanks a bunch,

Jerry

[Sleepless on LI]

Jerry,

If I were you, I'd just lay back and smile. You're doing really well. No wonder your photos always show smiles (you've got reason to).

[Snoredog]

Your leak in both charts is really nothing to worry about, I read once (think it may have been found on the F&P test manometer spec sheet) where masks generally have a 16LPM built-in leak for CO2 washout.

That would seem pretty close to your baseline shown in the charts. If I recall correctly that equates to 2ea 4mm holes.

Mouth breathing is going to show up on reports as a mask leak. Do you think you are getting leaks from the mask itself from the pillows/nares?

[Jerry69]

Your leak in both charts is really nothing to worry about, I read once (think it may have been found on the F&P test manometer spec sheet) where masks generally have a 16LPM built-in leak for CO2 washout.

That would seem pretty close to your baseline shown in the charts. If I recall correctly that equates to 2ea 4mm holes.

Mouth breathing is going to show up on reports as a mask leak. Do you think you are getting leaks from the mask itself from the pillows/nares?

Snoredog, I know I get leaking from around the pillows and from my mouth. I've awakened while air is flowing out of my mouth and when the air is leaking around my nares. But, from the responses I've received, mine is minor.

Guess I'll have to find something else to study.

Jerry