I've been using an AutoCPAP for several months. Now that I don't get rested after all nights, and rather, OSA symptoms appear to be appearing again (like I wasn't using a CPAP machine), I've got an idea that perhaps I sleep with my mouth open. I probably need a full-face mask.

Does anyone know if there's a sleep study that reveals airflow leaks from mouth?

If your mouth is -really- dry in the morning then it's probably a mouth leak.

Your machine is probably recording the leak rate, it just isn't displayed to you.  Talk to your DME and/or sleep doc to find out if your machine is recording this info and find out about getting the data.

Once you have the leak rate data, you can find out what your baseline is then try something to close off your mouth to see if it improves.  Personally, I tape my mouth shut each night and it makes a world of difference.

No, my mouth doesn't appear to be dry. But yet, I don't get enough rest -- it's apparent. Also, my "sleep advisers" say the leak level is good.  So I've ordered a full-face mask to try out. Not quite sure about taping my mouth though :)

P.S. My machine has a smart card slot, and it does indeed record leak levels. I'll try to review that info. But the sleep clinic says I'm OK with leaks. That's what I'm not fully sure about.

You could always set a video camera up in your bedroom and review it the next day to see if anything is going on.

Yes, I thought about videotaping, but I'm afraid I wouldn't like to watch a video of me wearing a CPAP mask, snoring and the stuff. Even though I know that it makes sense to do so.

leloup wrote:

Yes, I thought about videotaping, but I'm afraid I wouldn't like to watch a video of me wearing a CPAP mask, snoring and the stuff. Even though I know that it makes sense to do so.

LOL But this is exactly the video you DO want to watch!  If you're snoring and/or breathing through your mouth, the machine can't give you the therapy you need (if using a nasal mask).  All the pressure going up your nose and right back out your mouth just doesn't help OSA at all

One thing that is interesting about the displayed leak rate.  It is usually the 90th or 95th percentile (depending on machine make).  Some people mouth-breathe for only an hour or two each night (perhaps during deepest sleep or during dreams).  Although the displayed leak rate will be higher, it may not appear excessive to the doc or DME, especially if the rest of the time the mask is doing quite well with respect to leaks.  Having the video and/or accessing the detailed data on a fully-data capable machine, can show these periods and reveal the need for a full face mask.  Just an hour or two of poor/nonexistent therapy per night, is enough to cause that feeling of having poor sleep for some people.

And, there's no rule that says you can't use a full face mask regardless    I'm not a mouth breather, but use a FFM as it is the only one that's been the most comfortable and leak-free for me (I've tried 11 or 12 masks).  FFM's are notorious for being hard to get leak-free.  But if they do fit well they are extremely quiet and often more comfortable than nasal masks.  And should you get a cold or bad allergy attack, and need to breathe through your mouth, you can still use your CPAP

Blessings,
--pseudonym