Is ResMed EPR needed ??

[Spirit]

Hi,
I was wonderfing if EPR is needed ? Here's my cpap data:
EPR: Fulltime
EPR Level: 3
ERP inhale: Med
EPR pressure: 5.8

If I am prescribed pressure 8cm, shouldn't pressure be increased to compensate for EPR ? Like 11 cm, to actually recieve 8cm ? Would a person recieve, better level of treatment straight cpap ?

Thanks for any help.

[gailandartie]

Hi,

I have the same machine and I have turned EPR off. I found that EPR made the machine noisier . My settings are min 8 and max 10.5 . At these settings I found I was more comfortable without it, my numbers are great and the machine is so quiet.

Since this machine is an APAP, you need to know your min and max settings. Do you have any data - AHI, AI, HI? You need to know this in order to adjust pressure properly.

[jdm2857]

I can tell you that ResMed does not think it is essential.

The ResMed S8 AutoSet Spirit II (the international version of the AutoSet) does not have EPR. I think that ResMed thinks that their EasyBreathe technology is fine without EPR, but to compete with Respironic's C-Flex and A-Flex in North America, they needed a similar feature with settings for their advertising.\

I've never turned EPR on.

[Spirit]

Thanks for reply. I experimented with EPR last night, turned it off. My HI & leak value improved, but AI increased.
Lk: .26 > .12
AI: 0.3 > 1.3
HI: 5.5 > 3.0

Noticed after I stopped using Afrin nasal spray, my HI's were increasing, but more pressure decreased the HI's. Something I need to discuss with sleep doc. Will need to try no EPR for a few more nights. Will try with Afrin tonight and see what happens, will post update.

[twokatmew]

I was using an EPR of 1, and when I turned it off, AIs increased while HIs decreased on most days. The other night I set EPR at 3, and so far both AI and HI are a bit better. Also, I stopped puffing air out my mouth, and I took a nap today w/o tape -- no mouth leaks!

Some users say they'd increase pressure by the number of the EPR setting, but ResMed claims EPR provides exhalation relief (as merely a comfort feature) and doesn't affect inhalation pressure. They also claim that CPAP with EPR is just as effective as CPAP without EPR.

When I ran my machine in Autoset mode with and without EPR (using the same min and max pressures), my 95% pressure was the same.

Everyone's different, but the couple days I've set EPR at 3, I seem to be doing a bit better with no increase in pressure.

The machine is indeed a bit louder on inhale with EPR at 3, but I have slept better regardless so far.

My doc is wanting to do a BiPap trial hoping that I might do better on it than A/CPAP. That gave me the idea to up my EPR setting in the meantime. Whether it'll actually make a difference ... or is merely showing some improvement from the power of suggestion I don't know. Time will tell ... unless I get switched to BiPap before I can gather more data!

[Spirit]

Hi twokatmew,
Thanks for reply. It really helps to do comparisons & learn experiences of others. You had the same experience I did, turning off EPR. If no EPR setting doesn't work, I'll go back to level 3,. Maybe constent pressure, throws off breathing rythem. With no EPR my mouth inflates like a balloon.

Thanks for sharing experience.

[alexmihaila]

Sory jdm but your info is outdated; ResMed S8 AutoSet Spirit II (the international version of the AutoSet) does HAVE EPR ( i have this machine, have EPR printed on the machine and EPR works on both CPAP and APAP modes)

[jdm2857]

When did they add it? It wasn't listed on resmed.com.au (australian site) when I checked about 2 months ago.

[alexmihaila]

I've got one just the day I joined.

[ozij]

Resmed -- and Respironics too sell different models, with different names in different parts of the world.
Resmed.au will not show the equipment available in the States - you have to have to choose the country to get reliable info.


O.

[jdm2857]

Ozij --

I was discussing the ResMed S8 AutoSet Spirit II. That's why the reference to the Australian site.

[ozij]

Ozij --

I was discussing the ResMed S8 AutoSet Spirit II. That's why the reference to the Australian site.

You assumed the international version of the Autoset Spirit II was described in the Ausralian site:

I can tell you that ResMed does not think it is essential.

The ResMed S8 AutoSet Spirit II (the international version of the AutoSet) does not have EPR. I think that ResMed thinks that their EasyBreathe technology is fine without EPR, but to compete with Respironic's C-Flex and A-Flex in North America, they needed a similar feature with settings for their advertising.\

I've never turned EPR on.

(my emphasis added to the quote)

This is the description on the international site:

http://www.resmed.com/int/products/s8_a ... s&sec=true

Easy-Breathe waveform: a truly natural breathing experience
ResMed has added the new Easy-Breathe waveform to the clinically effective EPR to create an exceptional pressure relief system in both fixed CPAP and AutoSet modes.

Throughout the night and breath by breath, the Easy-Breathe waveform softens the pressure upon exhalation and inhalation, creating a gentle breathing rhythm that adapts to the patient's natural breathing cycle.

No other system offers such synchronisation. With pressure cycles and patient breathing more closely synchronised, breathing has never felt more natural. All the advantages of EPR and AutoSet—combined in a single device.

(my emphasis added to the quote).


The international version of the Autoset Spirit II is described on Resmesd's international site and does does have EPR.

O.

[jdm2857]

I didn't realize that ResMed makes multiple versions of machines with the same name. I'll make a note of the international site.

I do know that at least one owner of one version of the S8 AutoSet Spirit II posted that it did not have EPR.

Thanks, O.

[ozij]

I think I know who you're thinking about - an Australian who was on of the first to have an Autoset II...
O.