Questions about Auto CPAP

I have been using a CPAP machine for about 4 years (Remstar CFlex). It is set to 10 and I find that I am no longer sleeping as well as I used to. I have tried several FF masks and a nasal one that I really like. However, I think I need to be at a higher setting. I want to purchase an Auto setting machine. I have been browsing cpapauction.com and found a bunch of machines that look nice, but I am concerned about the settings and if I can adjust them. On my current cpap machine, the only adjustment I can seem to make is the humidity level. The respiratory therapist told me when I got it that they had to set it in their office.

Question #1: Is it true that on a standard Cpap machine, I can't adjust the pressure?
Question #2: I read on another thread that one guy's auto adjust machine was set to a minimum and a maximum. Am I able to change the min and max on an auto set machine myself? (I am looking at a ResMed Autoset Spirit or a Respironics)
Question #3: What are your experiences with auto set machines? Is there one that's better than others? I see some people say that the M Series respironics has it's own mind sometimes and messes with your breathing.)

Thanks!
Andrew

Your should call your DME and ask them what wizardry they use to change the magic settings. (hint: They use the buttons on the unit, the same buttons you have). They simply take the "clinician's sheet" out of the paper packet before you get it. Post the model of your unit and someone probably has the instructions to change it.

An auto-pap simply adjusts based upon your breathing activity. You can set the range on them, same as you can set the "static" pressure on your cpap.

I like Respironics machines, so therefore I see no reason FOR ME to change brands.

I'd say the purpose of an auto machine is to have its own mind and mess with your breathing.

emergingdzns wrote: Question #1: Is it true that on a standard Cpap machine, I can't adjust the pressure?

If you can get into the clinical menu you can adjust the pressure.

Question #2: I read on another thread that one guy's auto adjust machine was set to a minimum and a maximum. Am I able to change the min and max on an auto set machine myself?

Yes. I expect there are plenty of folks here who know how to do this on a variety of machines.

Question #3: What are your experiences with auto set machines? Is there one that's better than others? I see some people say that the M Series respironics has it's own mind sometimes and messes with your breathing.)

I don't have enough first hand experience with a variety of xPAP machines to give you a good answer on that. I can comment on my own machine...

I don't leave mine set to the full range... right now it is operating with a pressure range of 9 - 15. Funny thing is I seemed to achieve better numbers with the 8 - 15 range than the 9 - 15... waiting to accumulate a few more nights day before adjusting again.

I can say that so far I do like my machine and have no regrets purchasing it... so far. I would like a larger water reservoir for the humidifier such that the tank does not have to be filled each day... but a larger tank would lead to a bulkier machine. A wireless remote control would be a very nice option.

Auto machines are great if they don't quite get your titrated pressure right at the sleep lab.

Yes, we have access on this forum to all the clinician's menus. Yes, you can adjust your current machine yourself to a higher setting.

The beauty of an APAP (my machine) is that you can basically do a self-titration and discover your optimum settings. The current machine will allow you to do that only to a limited capacity. You can do that by changing your setting, and gauging how you feel, and reading whatever stats you can get off the LCD screen. Since it's not a fully data capable machine, I don't think you're going to get much.

An APAP IS a fully data capable machine.

I'd recommend buying one new from cpap.com and avoiding the possible pitfalls of spending $200-300 for a machine that smells bad, or doesn't work right.

Good luck!
Babs

Thank you all so much for your feedback. I think I will try to adjust my current machine up. When I used an apap for a week a couple years ago, they told me was running around 10 to 12. So they set my machine to 10. Not sure why. I will try bumping to 12.

The model is:
Respironics Remstar Pro with C-Flex
Model No.1005961

If someone can provide me with the clinician's manual or just instructions on how to get to the menu, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Andrew Christensen

emergingdzns wrote:Thank you all so much for your feedback. I think I will try to adjust my current machine up. When I used an apap for a week a couple years ago, they told me was running around 10 to 12. So they set my machine to 10. Not sure why. I will try bumping to 12.

The model is:
Respironics Remstar Pro with C-Flex
Model No.1005961

If someone can provide me with the clinician's manual or just instructions on how to get to the menu, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you,
Andrew Christensen

Try these.

Den


Menu for M Series Pro

1. Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the power on the back, wait for 2 beeps, release buttons.
2. Press the + key. <- -> buttons move to next field, -/+ keys decrement/increment
3. Check the following field(s):

-Therapy Mode = CPAP

-CPAP Pressure = NN (4 - 20 cm.)

-C-Flex Setting = (options are off, 1, 2 or 3)

-Ramp Time = (options are 05 to 45 min)

-Ramp Start Pressure = cm (Min. 4cm)

-Mask Alert Feature = On (On/Off)

-Auto Off Feature = Off (On/off)

-Show AHI/Leak Feature = On (On/Off)

Press On/Off button to exit.





==========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.

Den,

You are a life saver! I adjusted my machine last night and slept better than I have in a year.

I always assumed that the therapist put in a special smart card that unlocked the machine to be adjusted. What a marooon!

Thank you so much!

Andrew

emergingdzns wrote:Den,

You are a life saver! I adjusted my machine last night and slept better than I have in a year.

I always assumed that the therapist put in a special smart card that unlocked the machine to be adjusted. What a marooon!

Thank you so much!

Andrew

You're welcome, Andrew.
It's always good to hear that a person can get a good/better night's sleep, and it always helps when they finally get control of their own therapy.

Den