Turned off EPR/C-Flex completely, feel much more well rested

Is this expected? My AHI numbers are about the same without EPR (around 1-3 AHI per night), but I feel more alert and rested on 7 hours of no-EPR sleep than I did with 9 hours of EPR sleep. While asleep, I was dreaming almost the entire time. Moreover, I'm not waking up with a racing heart in the middle of the night anymore. I realize that these are subjective measures so I am asking if other forum members have had this experience.

If so, why would I be feeling better? Could EPR have been causing me to snore by virtue of reduced volume in my airways during the lowered pressure? Was the enforced breathing waveform keeping me from entering deeper sleep stages where breathing might be more shallow in amplitude and rapid in frequency? Is there anything I can do to test things?

Have any other forum members had similar experiences? I'm very puzzled by this, but hey, I'll take it if it helps me feel better.

Yes people have noticed an improvement in therapy through disabling any kind of pressure relief on exhale.
There has been some discussion on how using EPR etc can lead to increased events.

I no longer use EPR now my pressure has dropped to just below 6cm. I need to feel the pressure otherwise it feels like i am suffocating on a low pressure.

Lets hope you continue to have improved sleep without EPR.

~UB

Some people do better without the exhalation relief. You sound like you may be one of them. For these people, the lowering of the pressure during exhale, disturbs their sleep.

If you do better without it then keep it turned off. It is a comfort feature that some people do well with and some do not. Each to his own!

I am the same with the autopap/cpap mode(s). My numbers are the same with both therapy's, but I feel much better in the cpap mode. About twice a year, I go a couple weeks on the autopap mode to see how I feel, but end up back with good ole' cpap mode. I think I know why (*lookin' at Pugsy* ), but the bottom line is to throw out the numbers (unless they are very high) and get the therapy that makes you feel better. People sometimes think the mode they are in is the best mode for them, without exploring the different modes. I congratulate you for having the sense to explore and realize a particular therapy is good for you. When I sometimes suggest someone to "explore" I get my head bitten' off. But what the heck... it gets bitten' off everyday anyway...

Sheriff

Sheriff Buford wrote: I think I know why (*lookin' at Pugsy* ), but the bottom line is to throw out the numbers (unless they are very high) and get the therapy that makes you feel better.

I really am a nice person and I don't bite...at least not hard. You surely aren't afraid of little o' me are you?

Actually I agree with you...people should do or use whatever lets them feel the best and sleep the best. If someone said they slept the best standing on their head I would be all for it.

For some people changing pressures in apap mode or in this case with the EPR change during exhale...can be disruptive to sleep for whatever reason and if we sleep better not having changing pressures...then don't use them.
I can sleep through pressure changes of 10 to 20 and never know they happen but I realize that not everyone is like me so I tell people to do whatever it takes for THEM to sleep well...not because I can.
I actually did an experiment once when I turned off my AFlex exhale relief (had the 550 PR S1 APAP at the time) and the results were horrible. I do better with some sort of exhale relief but if someone else does better without it...by all means do/use whatever works for you.
The reduction in pressure during exhale when using EPR might or might not allow some sort of reduction in air flow which might or might not translate into maybe less restorative sleep. It's plausible for sure and far from impossible. Sometimes just the tiniest little change will translate into markedly impressive results.

The end goal is to have good quality sleep and feel decent....how someone gets there really isn't important. Anything is fair game to try...even sleeping standing on your head if that helped.

Great explanations here. Good job Pappers!

I'm one that doesn't like any flex either. I also don't get along with ramp. They make all kinds of settings because there are all kinds of people who need it or like it or want it.

I agree with taking control over your machine and setting it yourself, doing a self-check to see how you liked that re-set, and then checking your numbers to see if what you're feeling jives with what the data says your events are.

I've been damned lucky to be as consistent as I have been for 6 years. But a little weight gain, a new allergy, a new medication, a new bed or pillow, etc. can make a huge difference to some. Keep track of how you feel, and keep track of your data.

Cheers,
B.

Pugsy wrote: I really am a nice person and I don't bite...at least not hard. You surely aren't afraid of little o' me are you?

Heck no..... er.... maybe a little...

Sheriff

Some people find EPR is a miracle cure. Some find turning it off is a miracle cure.

Most people find it is a comfort feature.

Interesting read.

I've just gone and turned my C-flex off and will see how I go tonight and over the next few nights.

Cheers,

GK

I too found that I sleep much better (and fall asleep much better) with EPR turned off.

When EPR was on, I found that it reduced the pressure (for "relief") well before I had completed inhaling what I consider a "normal" breath. This led to my taking shorter breaths than I would have preferred to, which tended to lead to unpleasant and anxiety-producing states.