Sleep Apnoea Forum Bringing Help + Support to the Patient
Hello everyone,
I've not been on here for a while. I lost my mother just before Christmas to cancer. I'd been helping her through the treatment and since she passed I've been dealing with her estate, so my apologies for my absence.
Because of everything that has been going on, I hadn't looked at the data from my cpap machine in a while, so last week I re-installed the "Sleepyhead" program on my pc and put in the card. It showed that I have been getting lots of leaks! Odd thing was, the leaks started on the night of June 25th and every night since. Nothing before that date. That night I was more careful than usual about putting on my mask, and even asked my girlfriend to check the straps etc. But when I checked the data in the morning, the leaks were still there. That night I decided to put on the new hose that I was given at my annual checkup, but again no change. I contacted the hospital who supplied the equipment and went to see them today. They could see the leaks from the data, and asked if I felt anything from the mask. (I use a full face mask, the Mirage Quattro from Resmed.) I told them no, I hadn't. They said that as my AHI readings were low, less that 2 most days, that the machine was doing it's job and I was responding to treatment, and not to worry about the leaks unless things changed. I wasn't completely happy with what I was told. I thought that if there was a leak, then there's a fault that needs fixing, surely? To top it all, they forgot to put the memory card back into my machine, which I didn't notice til I was home!
Up til the leaks started, my AHI was less the 0.5. After June 25 it went up to between 1.3 - 1.9. OK that's not a big rise, but noticeable.
Plus I have no idea what changed on the night of June 25th?
I would welcome any thoughts or suggestions.
Thank you very much.
Views: 152
Hi David and so sorry to hear about the loss of your mother, and caring for someone with terminal cancer is very sad. My first thought was the hose, as sometimes very tiny holes can appear, but you've explained it wasn't that. Another thing that can cause leaks to appear and continue is when the mask or mask cushion is ready for replacing. Also, I'm not sure how you wash it, but if you're using anything like Fairy Liquid or anything with added moisturisers, what happens is that the additives in the detergent can leave behind a residue on the soft part of the mask (cushion), and whilst it looks clean, it can cause leaks. I've just commented on another discussion here too that the new Silent Night Mask Liners are proving very successful in curing leaks http://www.hope2sleep.co.uk/products/134 so that might be worth a try.
As you said, the AHI is still very good, but I can understand you wanting to get to the bottom of the mask leaks, which can also cause us interrupted sleep.
Hope this helps and my best wishes to you as you come to terms with life without your Mum.
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