APAP or CPAP: Which is better?

glyphrunner · Post by **glyphrunner** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:10 pm

I have a Respironics REMstar M Series Auto with APAP, but the clinic set it for CPAP. Only reason I even know this is because I followed instructions from another question I asked, and determined that they had set it for CPAP since APAP wasn't even an option in my settings.

I was curious, though, why give me an APAP machine if they're only going to set a straight pressure?

Which is better, the APAP or CPAP setting?

Would it be dangerous for me to experiment by turning on the "Auto" feature to enable APAP?

My straight pressure is 13cm with a 5cm initial ramp, ramping up over 20 minutes. I don't know if that adds any necessary extra info, but it's about all I know additionally about my machine and setup.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:49 pm

glyphrunner wrote:I have a Respironics REMstar M Series Auto with APAP, but the clinic set it for CPAP. Only reason I even know this is because I followed instructions from another question I asked, and determined that they had set it for CPAP since APAP wasn't even an option in my settings.

I was curious, though, why give me an APAP machine if they're only going to set a straight pressure?

Which is better, the APAP or CPAP setting?

Would it be dangerous for me to experiment by turning on the "Auto" feature to enable APAP?

My straight pressure is 13cm with a 5cm initial ramp, ramping up over 20 minutes. I don't know if that adds any necessary extra info, but it's about all I know additionally about my machine and setup.

APAP is always better than CPAP because a APAP can be set as CPAP, if needed, but a CPAP can never function as a an APAP. It's all about options! There would be no problem using the APAP mode set to the correct range, except the clinic doesn't want you to. You do need the software and reader to complete your setup, you are on your own to provide them. If I was going to use APAP mode, I would go 2CM under your CPAP pressure for the low, and one over, then use the software to fine tune your treatment. Remember no-matter what mode you use, no mouthbreathing allowed, and if I could I'd loose the ramp. I started at 14.5 CM no ramp with my chest split open, never blew out any staples. Jim

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 10:01 am

glyphrunner wrote:I have a Respironics REMstar M Series Auto with APAP, but the clinic set it for CPAP. Only reason I even know this is because I followed instructions from another question I asked, and determined that they had set it for CPAP since APAP wasn't even an option in my settings.

I was curious, though, why give me an APAP machine if they're only going to set a straight pressure?

Which is better, the APAP or CPAP setting?

Would it be dangerous for me to experiment by turning on the "Auto" feature to enable APAP?

My straight pressure is 13cm with a 5cm initial ramp, ramping up over 20 minutes. I don't know if that adds any necessary extra info, but it's about all I know additionally about my machine and setup.

Considering the numbers you reported in THIS post, I'd say leave it where it is. It's not "dangerous" to change/experiment, but the odds that you'll see better numbers in Auto mode (range of pressures) are slim and slimmer.

viewtopic/t35580/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=35 ... 58#p305758

You may be able to skip using the Ramp feature and let it go right to full pressure.

You're doing very well.....keep it up.

Den

OldLincoln · Post by **OldLincoln** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:34 pm

glyphrunner, These guys are pretty good, so don't put full weight on my statement. My CPAP was set to the highest pressure it took to clear the worst event in titration (12). The doc set my APAP high at 12 and the low 6 points lower. It was very comfortable and I felt better overall. It was also interesting to discover I spent less than a minute a night above 10. Should you try something like this, you would still be in the RX bounds by having the high at the CPAP level, however you might run it by the doc for reinsurance.

glyphrunner · Post by **glyphrunner** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 2:16 pm

Thank you, guys!
I'm just trying to wrap my head around all this stuff on here, and it's a lot to absorb upon finding this site.

cyndies · Post by **cyndies** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 4:45 pm

Greetings
I was switched from CPAP at 12 cm to APAP at 8-14 cm at my request about 5 weeks ago. I had been on CPAP since April and had progressively had more and more atrial fibrillation episodes in early morning hours. Even when I didn't wake in afib I woke feeling agitated and burping. I immediately felt much better on APAP and after 2 weeks they reviewed my readings and found my average to be 10 cm and my max to be 11 cm. So, purely from a feeling better standpoint, I say APAP. I went 37 days without any afib...longest since March.
Cyndie

DoriC · Post by **DoriC** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 5:04 pm

Greetings
I was switched from CPAP at 12 cm to APAP at 8-14 cm at my request about 5 weeks ago. I had been on CPAP since April and had progressively had more and more atrial fibrillation episodes in early morning hours. Even when I didn't wake in afib I woke feeling agitated and burping. I immediately felt much better on APAP and after 2 weeks they reviewed my readings and found my average to be 10 cm and my max to be 11 cm. So, purely from a feeling better standpoint, I say APAP. I went 37 days without any afib...longest since March.
Cyndie Top
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Since your readings were avg=10 to max=11, have you narrowed your APAP settings to a narrower range or left them at 8-14? Just curious because my husband's readings have narrowed also to 11Avg, 13Max, and I have it set to 11-15.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 6:32 pm

glyph, does your machine have the word "A-Flex" written on top of the machine?

yorkiemum01 · Post by **yorkiemum01** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 7:03 pm

On this topic..can you use your EPR with APAP?
Dont know why I always thought CPAP mode was better...
guess I'm still getting educated here. Thanks

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:13 pm

yorkiemum01 wrote:On this topic..can you use your EPR with APAP?
Dont know why I always thought CPAP mode was better...
guess I'm still getting educated here. Thanks

That's the advantage of a Respironics REMstar AFlex or CFlex works in all modes, or can be shut off. Jim

glyphrunner · Post by **glyphrunner** » Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:06 pm

rested gal wrote:glyph, does your machine have the word "A-Flex" written on top of the machine?

Yes, it does. For some reason, even though I chose "M Series Auto CPAP with A-Flex" in the profile setup, it's not showing it. I have managed to unlock the various features, and I can choose Auto, which I am assuming means to set it over to APAP.

cyndies · Post by **cyndies** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 5:37 pm

DoriC
The settings were specified by my sleep dr who didn't change the range even with the new info. Hope that answers your question.
Cyndie

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Sat Oct 25, 2008 6:45 pm

glyphrunner wrote:I have managed to unlock the various features, and I can choose Auto, which I am assuming means to set it over to APAP.

Yes, that's what "APAP" in the settings means. You have put the machine into autopap mode (autotitrating cpap mode.)

What range of pressures did you choose for min and max?

When you see a setting called "Split Night Time" in the APAP mode menu, be sure you always keep that setting OFF.

APAP or CPAP: Which is better?

APAP or CPAP: Which is better?

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