CPAP Air Pressure Level

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
eaudejoy
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 6:24 pm

CPAP Air Pressure Level

Post by eaudejoy » Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:23 pm

I'd like to switch to a nasal mask but it seems like the pressure is too much for me to be able to exhale. I use a Respironics Remstar Auto M-Series A-Flex, with the pressure set at three, and am using a Zest-Q mask right now. I know how to change the air pressure on the machine, and by setting it at 2 it makes it easier to exhale. But I want to make sure I'm getting enough pressure to treat the apnea. Any thoughts? Thanks...Eaudejoy

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Mask: Zest Nasal CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: Machine: Remstar Auto/A-Flex M Series

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Julie
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Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 12:58 pm

Re: CPAP Air Pressure Level

Post by Julie » Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:37 pm

Are you not using Encore to monitor your overnight stats? It would give you a better idea of what's going on and you'd have some thing to go by if you want to change things - you'd be able to see how much pressure was needed (and how much might not be).

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Wulfman...
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Re: CPAP Air Pressure Level

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:38 pm

I would suggest documenting all of your existing settings before changing anything.

Den.


Try these instructions:


Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the little power cord in the back, wait for 2 beeps release buttons. Then press the + key to enter setup mode, use the <- -> buttons to move to the next field, use the -/+ keys to decrease/increase values, when set press the On/Off button to exit Setup.

Therapy Mode = CPAP/AUTO (If Auto is selected, there will be A-Flex or C-Flex options)
CPAP Pressure = NN (only appears in CPAP mode).
AutoMax = 20 cm (default)
AutoMin = 4.0cm (default)
C-Flex Setting = Off, 1, 2 or 3
Ramp Time = (0:05 to 0:45)
Ramp Start Pressure = 4.0cm (can be from 4cm to AutoMin pressure).
Mask Alert = On/Off (beeps on large leak, mask removal).
Auto Off = Off (turns off machine on large leak/mask removal) Suggest leaving it "Off"
Split Night Time = Off (options are Off, 120, 180, 240) Should be "Off"
Show AHI/Leak = On (enables logging to display) Suggest leaving it "On"
Patient Reminder = Off (days to remind you that you get a new mask w/Insurance).
returns to Therapy Mode
Pressing On/Off exits Setup



==========Resetting LCD Display Data====================

To reset LCD Therapy data (does NOT erase any data from SmartCard):

1. Hold down the (<-) (->) buttons while plugging in the power on the back,
wait for 2 beeps or 5 seconds, release buttons.
2. Press the (->) key and navigate to Therapy screen.
3. Press and HOLD down the (-) minus key for 5 seconds and/or until therapy data is reset to Zero.
4. Press the (->) key to scroll back to main menu, press (+) key to enter Setup or
On/Off button to exit.

.
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
"Passover" Humidification - ResMed Ultra Mirage FF - Encore Pro w/Card Reader & MyEncore software - Chiroflow pillow
User since 05/14/05

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LSAT
Posts: 13229
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Location: SE Wisconsin

Re: CPAP Air Pressure Level

Post by LSAT » Mon Mar 30, 2015 8:45 pm

eaudejoy wrote:I'd like to switch to a nasal mask but it seems like the pressure is too much for me to be able to exhale. I use a Respironics Remstar Auto M-Series A-Flex, with the pressure set at three, and am using a Zest-Q mask right now. I know how to change the air pressure on the machine, and by setting it at 2 it makes it easier to exhale. But I want to make sure I'm getting enough pressure to treat the apnea. Any thoughts? Thanks...Eaudejoy
Your pressure is set at 3 and you want to set it at 2? I don't think so. Machines can't be set lower than 4. Are you talking about pressure relief?

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Machine: ResMed AirSense™ 10 AutoSet™ CPAP Machine with HumidAir™ Heated Humidifier
Mask: Fisher & Paykel Vitera Full Face Mask with Headgear (S, M, or L Cushion)
Additional Comments: Back up is S9 Autoset...... Buckwheat hull pillow

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robysue
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Re: CPAP Air Pressure Level

Post by robysue » Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:40 am

eaudejoy wrote:I'd like to switch to a nasal mask but it seems like the pressure is too much for me to be able to exhale. I use a Respironics Remstar Auto M-Series A-Flex, with the pressure set at three, and am using a Zest-Q mask right now. I know how to change the air pressure on the machine, and by setting it at 2 it makes it easier to exhale. But I want to make sure I'm getting enough pressure to treat the apnea. Any thoughts? Thanks...Eaudejoy
I believe you are talking about the A-Flex or C-Flex setting, which can be changed in the Patient menus for the M-Series. The pressure setting itself can only be changed by going into the (not so) secret Clinician's menu.

Setting Flex from 3 to 2 changes how the exhalation relief system works, but it does not change the therapeutic pressure settings. If A-Flex = 2 is more comfortable for you than A-Flex = 3, then you should definitely be using A-Flex = 2.

As a side note: Flex works by adjusting the pressure down (slightly) at the beginning of each exhalation. The actual amount is determined by the forcefulness of the exhalation and the flex setting. With a Flex = 2, there will be a bit less of a drop in pressure at the start of your exhalations, and so you're actually using a bit more exhalation pressure with Flex = 2. The reason you may feel more comfortable at Flex = 2 has to do with how the machine tracks your breathing and adjusts the pressure both down (at the beginning of the exhalation) and back up (near the end of the exhalation). With Flex = 2, there's less of a drop in pressure to begin with and hence the return to therapeutic pressure is more "subtle" feeling. As a consequence, you may have felt that the machine was "rushing" you to inhale when Flex = 3, but with Flex = 2 you don't have that sensation.

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Machine: DreamStation BiPAP® Auto Machine
Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: PR System DreamStation and Humidifier. Max IPAP = 9, Min EPAP=4, Rise time setting = 3, minPS = 3, maxPS=5