Snore Index and C-Flex Setting: an experiment

I posted in a thread somewhere last week that Encore Pro was reporting an increase in my snore index (around the 20 level), and that I was more and more aware of making exhalatory snore-like noises in the mask. I believe that these may have been causing arousals because I was semi-conscious when they happened.
At the time I conjectured that these may have been caused by the vocal chords closing when the pressure was reduced by C-Flex (set at the highest level 3) during exhalation.

Three nights ago I set the C-Flex level back to 2. The snore index was immediately reduced to the range 6-9, ie well less than half of what it was! I have not been aware of these "grunts" either.

The experiment is a "work-in-progress." I will set the C-Flex level up again and see what happens. In the meantime I did a statistical test (Students-t) on the data, which says there is less that 1% chance that C-Flex is not affecting my snoring, as seen by Encore Pro.

Please don't take this as definitive for all people. It's just an observation on my nightly antics.
derek

Derek,

I noticed similar results. When on Cflex 2 I record a ton o snores, and my AHI goes up. When on Cflex 1, the snores are greatly reduced, and my AHI goes back to 4ish...

I personally don't have any hands-on experience with C-Flex. However, I find Derek's experiment to be extremely interesting and potentially relevant to many patients.

I hope other C-Flex users can post their findings regarding how C-Flex impacts their snore indices. If C-Flex does bear a pattern of impacting snore, I would also be interested in finding out if this impact is relative to C-Flex with fixed pressure, C-Flex in auto mode, or both.

Any other C-Flex users out there that care to report their findings?

P.S. Derek, I loved that snore experiment posted in your other thread!

Hmm, I hadn't thought about it, but when I first got my RemStar auto, I set the c-flex on 1. I had fairly large snore index - 12-15 most nights. After a week or so, I turned the c-flex up to 2, which felt more comfortable for me. My snore index is now around 5-6. I didn't make a note if the drop came the same night I changed the setting, but I know it was just about the same time. So mine might have dropped by upping the c-flex setting.
Debbie

derek wrote: The experiment is a "work-in-progress." I will set the C-Flex level up again and see what happens. In the meantime I did a statistical test (Students-t) on the data, which says there is less that 1% chance that C-Flex is not affecting my snoring, as seen by Encore Pro.

Wondering just how many of your students got recruited to source snore into your RemStar Auto!

Please keep us abreast of your interesting works in progress!