A-Flex is Fabulous!

[Snoredog]

[quote="betty303"]I am trying to get an understanding of exactly what AFLEX actually does that is difference from CFLEX.

I have been using a BiPap, after finding that I still couldn't get comfortable with breathing out on an Auto CFlex. But the BiPap transition between inhale and exhale is hard to take (even with BiFlex) and I too often feel like the machine is ahead of me.

So I am wondering if Aflex feature might help ease the breathing process on the Auto enough to make it more comfortable for me.

Betty

[Patrick A]

[quote="Snoredog"][quote="betty303"]I am trying to get an understanding of exactly what AFLEX actually does that is difference from CFLEX.

I have been using a BiPap, after finding that I still couldn't get comfortable with breathing out on an Auto CFlex. But the BiPap transition between inhale and exhale is hard to take (even with BiFlex) and I too often feel like the machine is ahead of me.

So I am wondering if Aflex feature might help ease the breathing process on the Auto enough to make it more comfortable for me.

Betty

[sugarsowner]

Exactly Betty. AFLEX is a feature that allows you to begin slow, and build up a tolerance to the pressure, as you need more pressure, the machine increases and as you need less, it gives you less pressure.

We sleep in cycles and the AFLEX automatically cycles with us. CPAP doesn't it gives one pressure and stays constant, though our needs don't thru the night.

[gasp]

I agree AFLEX is the best way to go. I have tried traditional CPAP and I couldn't breathe. Then I discovered APAP and with the setting at 3, it is fabulous but it is at it's best with a Heated Humidifier

To clean the mask, I use Ivory liqid dish soap. It is extremly gentle and easy to find, and you only need a drop or 2. I have verified it's gentleness with the Resmed and Ivory.


If you don't have one. you must get one.

what is also invaluable is the new Mirage Swift 2 mask. It is vastly improved over the orig. MIrage mask. I have been able to get a fabulous undisturbed
nights sleep 5 days in a row thus far. It's AMAZING

The Mirage Swift 2 is $154 on CPAP.com - amazing that it is so much money for such a small mask. I wonder, can you sleep on your side, on the side where the hose is?

I am always amazed at how well the A-Flex adjusts to my breathing, versus me having to adjust to it! I have asthma and sometimes I need to clear my throat. The rhythm adjusts seamlessly.

[gasp]

I am trying to get an understanding of exactly what AFLEX actually does that is difference from CFLEX.

I have been using a BiPap, after finding that I still couldn't get comfortable with breathing out on an Auto CFlex. But the BiPap transition between inhale and exhale is hard to take (even with BiFlex) and I too often feel like the machine is ahead of me.

So I am wondering if Aflex feature might help ease the breathing process on the Auto enough to make it more comfortable for me.

Betty

I see that you are using a BiPAP and wonder if it is to accommodate your need for a high pressure? If so, I don't know if the A-Flex is recommended for use at a higher pressure.

That aside, the A-Flex is amazing in how it anticipates what pressure I need for each breath. The exhale seems transparent - that's how good the exhalation is. In titration on the C-Flex I noticed that the machine seemed to have a life of it's own and would push and stop air making it difficult for me to find my own rhythm. The A-Flex adjusts to MY rhythm. I do not have experience with a BiPAP or with any other machine at home. I'm blessed in being able to start out on the A-Flex as my first machine.

I have asthma and some nights are better than others. During pollen season I have to use inhalers and have a lot of inflammation to get under control. The night before last my asthma was particularly bad and I had a rough night on the mask. The A-Flex was one this I knew I wouldn't have to contend with as I had to stop and start over and over through the night. I just put the mask back on and the machine takes me off to sleep.

As I posted earlier in this thread, I do not need my ramp to start out at such a low number (5). I intend to get it raised to an 8 or so because the A-Flex handles pressure so well. In titration (on a C-Flex), the tech said I had a hard time adjusting to a ramp that started out at 4, the lowest setting available.

Recap: The transition between breathing in and out is so easy I don't have to think about it. Exhalation is so easy I also don't have to think about it.

All I have to think about is getting situated with my mask.

[GreenIce]

I am always amazed at how well the A-Flex adjusts to my breathing, versus me having to adjust to it! I have asthma and sometimes I need to clear my throat. The rhythm adjusts seamlessly.

I discover if I hold my breath, A-Flex seems to stop, can hear noise "holding" instead of normal whirl. I don't know if other CPAP act this way.

[gasp]

I am always amazed at how well the A-Flex adjusts to my breathing, versus me having to adjust to it! I have asthma and sometimes I need to clear my throat. The rhythm adjusts seamlessly.

I discover if I hold my breath, A-Flex seems to stop, can hear noise "holding" instead of normal whirl. I don't know if other CPAP act this way.

I held my breath and experienced the machine gently pushing air at me, with the next push of air being stronger and stronger. Perhaps it was ramping - but it seemed like a faster ramp with each push of air stronger than I thought ramping was (at that time). I'll try again to see if I get the same results.

[packer]

well- got my hose from "down under" today- took about two weeks-
so my hope is that tonight I can have best night yet- I really do think
that the aflex is better- now I can use the twilight and set the humidity
[hopefully] up to 3 and not get wet- I am sure I feel better with the more humidity

as I write this I am thinking how weird it is to be going to such great
lengths to try to get a good nights sleep- strange world, eh?

also- went to see my Doc this week- took him in the print outs- basically told him a lot about the aflex- he is a good guy but not up on the latest equipment- he is a neurologist
anyhow- he was open to my discussion of benefits of auto pap and aflex- I basically tried to help him to write scrips for this machine- [ if you don't want aflex or auto- turn them off] I told him compliance was going to be way higher with this setup

I asked him how many people follow through with hosehead business-
he guessed 60 % what do you folks think? 40% quitting is a LOT
Packer

[packer]

had the humidifier on 3 all night- not a drop of rain in Twilight NP=
yes!! the heated hose is a good thing- my throat is feeling fine- I slept all the way through the night- not even a potty break

aflex is the way to go- where I am now with this business is like night and day from the full face mask leaking and straight [cheap] cpap the old DME had me on

the chances of compliance are so much greater with the better equipment-

My hope is that every new apnea patient find this site- thank you all

packer

[roster]

[quote="packer"]......

I asked him how many people follow through with hosehead business-
he guessed 60 % what do you folks think? 40% quitting is a LOT
Packer

[rested gal]

Compliant is defined as using the machine for at least 5 nights per week with minimum of 5 hours per night. That is a liberal definition of compliant. If I just met the minimum, I would not be functioning well.

It's even worse than that, rooster! I think "compliant" is defined as a minimum of 4 hours 5 days a week.

On the one hand it's too bad that that implies "Use your machine 4 hours, then you can take the mask off to finish sleeping." And, "You can skip using it at all on the weekends."

On the other hand, however, it's good in a way that the definition of compliance is so liberal. Keeps the people who are really, really trying and struggling to keep an infernal mask on all night but are going through a rough "adjusting to it" period from having their equipment jerked away from them by a bean-counting insurance company.

Not that most insurance companies ever ask the DME about "compliance." And the DME's sure aren't gonna go looking for non-compliance on their own! Why bite the hand that feeds them?

[gasp]

had the humidifier on 3 all night- not a drop of rain in Twilight NP=
yes!! the heated hose is a good thing- my throat is feeling fine-

Yeah - so glad for you!

I slept all the way through the night- not even a potty break

OK, now I'm jealous!! Seeking the holy grail of machine/mask setup isn't easy but I think we're closer with the A-Flex at least. Now to get the magic mask.

[gasp]

Not that most insurance companies ever ask the DME about "compliance." And the DME's sure aren't gonna go looking for non-compliance on their own! Why bite the hand that feeds them?

Here, here!! I agree. AND, that my DME can't open a mask, put it on me lying down to fit it with pressure without charging me for the mask (no try on masks) is ludicrous. What a racket! So how hard can it be for DMEs to learn how to sterilize (get a license or whatever they need legally) and keep a wide variety of masks on hand from their reps? Why should they do that when they can make so much more money off the insurance companies and those unfortunate enough to not have insurance for selling mask after mask until the client gets the right fit.

OK, off my soap box now.

[packer]

downloaded this AM and confirmed what I thought and what my wife says-
I really am sleeping a lot better! adding the heated hose allows me to set humidifier to 3 without rainout, which allows me to use the twilight np, which allows me to sleep on my side or back without leaks, which allows aflex to work and because of aflex I was also able to start ramp at 6.5 - I slept straight through the night for 3rd night in a row!!

my AHI average is 2,8 last night it was actually.8
leaks were way down from using swift
average pressure is 11

so- at least for now- all the work with DR and insurance and changing DMEs has been worth it

heres how it worked for me- I called my insurance and told them they were getting ripped off by old DME and so was I. they gave me to an advocate. We changed DMEs and new one is good- huge difference


with DR I told him I could not exhale against straight CPAP and needed cflex and apap- he agreed- new DME had aflex available, which I guess is same class as auto cflex to them [ but its way better to me] so I now am owning my aflex.

I think the words to use with DR are compliance- fighting exhale- uncomfortable swallowing air. I also talked about this forum and all the knowledge here, brought printouts in even

the heated hose addition makes the twilight really work for me- the hose I simply bought out of pocket [ hmm- wonder if insurance would think of helping?] packer

[bdp522]

Glad to hear that you got it all working for you, Packer. I love my Aussie hose too. Isn't it nice to sleep through the whole night?!

Brenda