AirSense 10 Autoset issue -- need constant pressure!?!?

[pviking9]

I have been using CPAP 21 years, and until recently was using a 10-yr old Remstar Auto with CFLEX (pressure drops when exhaling) set as CPAP at 10.5 cm with CFLEX. That has been working for me, other than humidity issues mainly, and dry mouth.

I now have a new Airsense 10 Autoset and the doctor's office initially set it on automatic pressure between 10 and 14 cm, with exhale pressure relief and humidity, no ramp. I have felt that I "don't get enough air" when inhaling and asked the minimum pressure be increased, first to 10.5, then 11, but still have felt it wasn't giving me enough air. The latest change (remotely from dr's office) was to set it at a constant pressure of 11 supposedly, after I described what I'm about to write to the tech. I don't know if it's set as a CPAP or still on auto with only one pressure setting. I've been able to use the new machine with each change but still not getting enough air, making it hard to fall asleep.

I need to describe exactly how I feel when inhaling. When using the old CPAP machine, when I begin to inhale the pressure is already there and there's no resistance to me getting air in -- in fact it seems to "assist" me inhaling. When I exhale, the pressure drops nicely and the pressure comes right back up by the time I want to inhale again. It seems like when I am finished exhaling the machine knows it and goes back to full pressure pretty quickly.

With the Airsense on Auto it seems to wait until I begin to inhale before starting to increase the pressure, and pressure increases DURING my inhalation. When exhaling the pressure drops nicely but doesn't come back up until it senses me inhaling again. It's hard to fall asleep when feeling like I don't get enough air.

So I'm considering requesting the Airsense machine bet set on CPAP mode but don't know if that will mimic my old machine. Does anyone know if the pressure is actually constant? Will using the exhale pressure relief still allow it to get pressure up BEFORE I inhale. If it doesn't work like that I might need a different machine.

I have an appointment soon with the sleep doc office to discuss mask alternatives and can ask questions. PLEASE ADVISE ME! Thanks!

[LSAT]

Setting it to CPAP mode with the same pressure as your old machine should work for you. CFLEX is similar to EPR on the ResMed machine. To get to the setting menu. press and hold the home button and the dial button together for 5 seconds. You can then make your own changes and experiment without waiting for the doctor....Here is the Clinical Manual..https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf

[Okie bipap]

What you are feeling is the Resmed easy-breathe algorithm. You are used to the algorithm used in the Philips Respironics machines. If you feel you are unable to get used to the Resmed algorithm, have your doctor switch you to the PR Dreamstation auto which will duplicate the algorithm you are used to.

[tyrone747]

Interesting, I find the opposite. Inhaling is fine but when I go to exhale the EPR takes a split second to kick in and I get resistance until it does.

[palerider]

So I'm considering requesting the Airsense machine bet set on CPAP mode but don't know if that will mimic my old machine. Does anyone know if the pressure is actually constant? Will using the exhale pressure relief still allow it to get pressure up BEFORE I inhale. If it doesn't work like that I might need a different machine.

Resmed EPR works like this:


When you start to inhale, it raises pressure, and when you start to exhale, it drops it.

Your *flex on your old machine didn't drop the pressure as much as EPR can, (*flex does at most 1.5-2 (depending on which respironics web page you find) and that' only when you're breathing really hard, since *flex changes with your breathing intensity.

Try setting the EPR on your machine to 1, or 2, and see if that gives you a better feeling. EPR should be a user settable thing, unless the DME turned that off... in which case you can just go into the clinical menu and turn it back on.

CPAP vs APAP mode won't make any difference in how EPR works.

Clinical manual: https://www.respshop.com/manuals/ResMed ... %20her.pdf

Many people find that they really like the gentle pressure increase of EPR once they get used to it... but not everybody likes it... some turn it off.