Is A-flex supposed to work like this?

[sleepio]

I've been using A-flex for a few weeks, and I've found it mostly comfortable. But recently I noticed that if I inhale slowly, I can feel the pressure cut out, before I've completed my inhalation. It's disturbing. The slow inhalation is while I'm still awake.

The different settings seem to delay the time before the pressure is reduced, e.g. the '3' setting seems to be 3 seconds before a cut off. If my inhalation takes longer than 3 seconds, then I become painfully aware of the next time it will cut my pressure off. This creates anxiety which isn't good when you're trying to sleep.

Is it not sensing my slow inhalation, and thinking I'm about the exhale?

Thanks!

[Wulfman...]

What is your pressure setting (or range if you're using it in Auto mode)?
The answer may depend on that answer.

It's designed to work "properly" while you're sleeping.......not while you're awake and wondering what it's doing. You don't breathe the same when you're awake as you do while you're sleeping. Therefore, it may or may not be doing what it's supposed to do while you're laying there wondering.

If your minimum setting is very low (like below 7 or and you're using an A-Flex setting of 3, it's typical that the A-Flex won't work below a setting of 6. So, if that's where the pressure is when you're trying to figure out what it's doing, it wouldn't be working like you THINK it would, but may be working "properly" under those conditions.


Den

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[sleepio]

My pressure is mostly set for 10-13cm, more recently 8-12cm to try and reduce the a-flex feeling I'm discussing in this topic.

[Wulfman...]

My pressure is mostly set for 10-13cm, more recently 8-12cm to try and reduce the a-flex feeling I'm discussing in this topic.

Try using C-Flex or turning it off altogether and see what happens.
Are you using software and reviewing your daily reports?


Den

.

[Pugsy]

Try the other A Flex settings...see if one of the other settings is more comfortable while awake.
Everyone is different in how they perceive how the various Flex settings reduce the pressure in response to their breathing because we all don't breathe the same.
The timing and reduction during exhale will vary with the force of your own breathing.
I found AFlex set at 3 made me feel like the machine was wanting me to almost hyper ventilate. Setting of 1 seemed like it was way to slow to match my own breathing rhythm comfortably but the setting of AFlex at 2 was darn near a perfect match to my own regular breathing and was quite comfortable.
I found CFlex pretty much useless...couldn't tell any difference no matter what setting I used.

http://aflex.respironics.com/

So play around with the various settings and use the one that feels the best to you while awake. Doesn't matter what it is as long as you like it and it feels good.

[sleepio]

Thanks for the responses, folks. I've tried c-flex and I tried it again last night. Very uncomfortable, for me.

I'll have to mess around with settings to find a happy medium, I s'pose.

[DoriC]

My husband has the same problem with A&Cflex so when we use the PR we turn it Off. The EPR on the S9 matches his breathing pattern much better.

[archangle]

Try turning flex off. Once you get used to CPAP pressure, you may not notice it much. Watch your AHI, though. Some people find it makes a difference.

I find my PRS1 machines feel like they're "huffing and puffing," even without flex. My S9 seems much "smoother", even with EPR turned on.

[DoriC]

Arch, that's my observation too although Mike can't really describe the feeling very well.