Freya

That's really interesting, and counter-intuitive! Thank you.

I often have symptoms which previously I would have attributed to non-controlled sleep apnoea, but over the years I've been using CPAP therapy - and where the sleep apnoea is well-controlled - I can still feel "uncomfortable" in my nose, throat, and sometimes head. Does anyone else feel that perhaps the constant blasting of air into one's nose and trachea might be having a detrimental effect?

Thank you all, I appreciate your taking the time to reply to me. Is this a global forum? I'm in London.

Thank you. I always imagined mouth-breathing meant inhaling through the mouth, but the other night I awoke to find myself exhaling through my mouth. Since adjusting the EPR from 1 to 2, and tightening the mask, things have settled down considerably (AHIs around 2.5 max, often under; leaks between 9 and 12). I had loosened the mask because I recalled a conversation with ResMed on their phone advice line that if you over-tighten you are more likely to experience leaks. This contradicted the original fitting instructions from the Sleep Clinic to "tighten the mask as much as possible as during the night the face muscles relax and will cause the mask to become looser".

It really all does seem very trial and error!

I increased the EPR from 1 to 2 last night and the registered leak dropped to 16, so I'm guessing there must be some correlation?
I am so pleased to have found this forum, it's great to be able to connect with others who have the same condition!

Hi thanks for your reply - Sleepyhead looks to be pretty much defunct now for download, but I do monitor my leaks every night so can give you figures if that helps. I was told not to monitor the leaks and AHIs every night but to look at the monthly data as this better reflects the overall control of the condition. But I know when I wake up with the thick head and feeling like I have the worst hangover ever that a "bad leak" night will be the cause, so I tend to look at the data to have this confirmed!

Pressure settings are Min 8 Max 15

Hi thanks for replying - I had never thought of taping my mouth, mainly because it still doesn't seem possible that the leak is caused by an open mouth. But what else could it be? Maybe an ill-fitting mask - I know ResMed recommends changing ever six months or so, I imagine it all stretches through use and washing, but it's not feasible to do that really.

EPR was originally at 2, and it was changed to 3 ages ago for reasons I cannot recall. It was dropped back to 2 because apparently you get better control of AHIs with the lower number and this is in fact what's happened - I was usually between 2 and 3, now it's under 1. But I think maybe if there's a high leakage then the AHIs won't be being recorded correctly, but that's just guesswork on my part.

I do not know if there's any correlation between EPR level and leakage. In fact, despite believing I understand CPAP treatment pretty well, I realise I probably don't know very much. And much of the information "out there" can be confusing and conflicting!

Would be very grateful if anyone has any thoughts; been a CPAP user for nearly 4 years - ResMed Autoset 9, ResMed N20 nasal mask. Leaks were identified last year and was given a full-face mask which I didn't get on with and leakage increased significantly. Went back to nasal mask, and last week had a review where the physician turned EPR down from 3 to 1 and increased climate line temp to 21C (I'd had it at 16). My big problem now is that leakage rate is up to the high 20s / low 30s, and my mouth is so dry it feels like it's filled with broken glass BUT my mouth is shut tight too - so how can I be mouth breathing?? I'm at a loss, and feeling very tired and bleak about the whole thing!