Resmed Autoset II Problem?

Shilohcane · Post by **Shilohcane** » Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:15 am

dsm wrote:Re Easy Breathe vs EPR.

The two are similar concepts. It is the waveform that is different.

My understanding of the difference is that Easy Breathe has a 'shark-fin' wave form whereas the EPR didn't. But this is just an educated guess. I have never seen any data describing the EPR waveform but I know from using it it isn't a square waveform nor does it feel like or linear slope waveform. EPR seems to have some curve in it (this is noticable in the way the pressure varies when you breath out when compared to a bilevel that is known to have a liner sloped waveform (the linear slope in them is usually adjusted by the risetime setting)).

I was using Easy Breathe for about a week before I switched on EPR =2 and I can say that I liked the Easy Breathe better with EPR turned off for confort. I may want to try going to EPR = 3 & maybe 1 first before I give up on it.

I am getting a pillow mask this week and don't want to make to many changes at a time. But, I do think you are correct about the Easy Breathe having a Shark Fin feel. I was just amazed with how fast the pressure dropped on exhale before I turned on EPR =2 that seems a little harder to exhale to me. Well at least I know I'm not nuts now with how Easy Breathe vs EPR feels. It sure would be nice it ResMed gave less information about not using the machine in a bathtub in the uses manual and more information about all these great options it has to help me sleep better.

Shilohcane · Post by **Shilohcane** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:31 am

After switching back to Easy Breathe mode and turning off EPR = 2 for the last 5 nights, my AHI has dropped back to 2.9 from 7+ with EPR =2. Both work to ease the exhale it's just personal confort level with two different exhale effects.

I can feel the Easy Breathe mode's "Shark Fin" exhale that to me is more comfortable that the EPR = 2 "Rounded SignWave" exhale. I am just more conscious of breathing out faster than the Wave of pressure falls in EPR mode.

I haven't tried EPR = 1 or 3 but I'm done with this experiment Easy Breathe mode is right for me. EPR = OFF

Ram · Post by **Ram** » Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:43 pm

[quote="bigk"]I have the Aussie Version of the Autoset II that doesn't have EPR in APAP mode. I have never felt any resistance at all breathing out (max pressure 15) so I am not surprised you don't see any difference in the EPR settings.

I really do believe the EPR function in the Autoset II was just a marketting thing to shut up the respironics drones and their percieved a-flex "advantage"

The Easy Breathe Technology seems to make EPR redundant IMO./quote]

I bought the new Resmed S8 Autoset Spirit II Platinum.. just two weeks ago. I was told this was top of the Range machine and I drew a blank not knowing what EPR was all about. Must be some exhaust rate..

So why is it that we Aussies do not get the machine with EPR like in USA ? Just because Resmed is in our own backyard in Bella Vista does it mean we can be fed sausages instead of a T bone steak for the same cost !!!

bigk · Post by **bigk** » Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:46 pm

I think the Autoset Spirit II IS the best there is anyway and that the EPR on APAP mode is a sales GIMMICK for the USA to counter the a-flex of respironics.

Ram · Post by **Ram** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 8:34 am

[quote="bigk"]I think the Autoset Spirit II IS the best there is anyway and that the EPR on APAP mode is a sales GIMMICK for the USA to counter the a-flex of respironics.

BigK shocked to hear that EPR is a sales gimmic.

Sine you have the same machine as me, can you tell me that the mask setting is relevant and makes a difference ? I own an activa as well as a quattro..

I set the machine on auto for Activa and smart start. This is fine except I have mouth leaks. I see no difference in using the same activa setting and wearing the full face quattro..

My techinician says i should not because smart start feature cannot be used with smart start..
This also I believe is a gimmic. Tell me I am wrong

bigk · Post by **bigk** » Sat Jun 21, 2008 11:35 pm

Technically you shouldn't use smartstart with a full face mask because smartstart doesn't work with the antiasfixia (damn spelling) feature of full face masks - IE you could suffocate if you use it with a FFM - like if the power failed for example.

Additionally, the leak rate will probably be different for the different masks.

I have been using the S8II Spirit for 6 months and was always puzzled about people whe were talking about difficulty breathing out ect with APAPs and similarly singing the paises of the respironics aflex. That was when I realised there was a huge difference between the S8 and the S8II. And why I think that the EPR on APAP mode is a sales gimmick for US users who have been brainwashed by respironics.

There was even a thread here where sopmeone said how good the EPR was on their S8II - but eventually they realised that they didn't even have the EPR activated! The Easy Breathe Technology by itself is that good.

Ram · Post by **Ram** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 4:37 am

[quote="bigk"]Technically you shouldn't use smartstart with a full face mask because smartstart doesn't work with the antiasfixia (damn spelling) feature of full face masks - IE you could suffocate if you use it with a FFM - like if the power failed for example.

Additionally, the leak rate will probably be different for the different masks.

I have been using the S8II Spirit for 6 months and was always puzzled about people whe were talking about difficulty breathing out ect with APAPs and similarly singing the paises of the respironics aflex. That was when I realised there was a huge difference between the S8 and the S8II. And why I think that the EPR on APAP mode is a sales gimmick for US users who have been brainwashed by respironics.

There was even a thread here where sopmeone said how good the EPR was on their S8II - but eventually they realised that they didn't even have the EPR activated! The Easy Breathe Technology by itself is that good.

That leaves me even more confused O do not believe my Resmed S8 Autoset II spirit Platimun what ever has EPR or easy breat etc etc..

Am I missing something here ?

Shilohcane · Post by **Shilohcane** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 9:13 am

I just went and did a word search for "EPR" in the User Guides on both the Australian version the AutoSet II Sprint with Easy-Breathe Technology and the USA version S8 AutoSet II with Easy-Breathe.

On the AUS AutoSet II Sprint only supports EPR in the CPAP Mode ( page 15 & 18 ).

On the USA version the S8 AutoSet II supports EPR on both CPAP and APAP modes. ( page 5 )

This is simple software differences since these are the same machines and for some reason ResMed didn't put EPR in the APAP mode in the Australian version the AutoSet II Sprint. Both seem to have the Easy-Breathe Technology.

I have the USA version S8 AutoSet II w/ Easy With Easy-Breathe and I have the EPR turned OFF. It works and I can feel the difference the EPR ( Expiratory Pressure Relief ) and can say EPR doesn't drop the pressure as fast as the Easy-Breathe mode. EPR is rounded waves and Easy-Breathe is Shark Fin drop in pressure.

bigk · Post by **bigk** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 3:56 pm

If it's an S8II then it has Easy Breathe. It's even printed on the thing! (The Aussie model anyway)

Shilohcane · Post by **Shilohcane** » Sun Jun 22, 2008 7:20 pm

bigk wrote:If it's an S8II then it has Easy Breathe. It's even printed on the thing! (The Aussie model anyway)

EPR = Expiratory Pressure Relief that is a different algorithm than Easy Breathe. Both, EPR and Easy Breathe provide exhale relief. The AUS AutoSet II Sprint only supports EPR in the CPAP Mode ( page 15 & 18 user guide) and Easy Breathe. The USA version of the S8 AutoSet II supports EPR on both CPAP and APAP modes and Easy Breathe.

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