Question please

SUNSHINE06 · Post by **SUNSHINE06** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 9:46 pm

I bought a F&P cpap one month ago. Tried it out for 2 weeks, then went back to the xpap providers and they lent me a remstar pro with c-flex.
I have to return the remstar tomorrow. My titration sleep test will be this Thursday night.
Still having problems with waking up every hour, wearing the mask for only 3 hrs, having a hard time falling asleep again, dry mouth, nasal congestion. Am trying both nasal and FP flexifit FF.
I was wondering if I should push for the apap machine?

Ric · Post by **Ric** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 10:07 pm

In my opin, ABSOLUTELY.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 10:25 pm

SUNSHINE06 wrote:I bought a F&P cpap one month ago. Tried it out for 2 weeks, then went back to the xpap providers and they lent me a remstar pro with c-flex.
I have to return the remstar tomorrow. My titration sleep test will be this Thursday night.
Still having problems with waking up every hour, wearing the mask for only 3 hrs, having a hard time falling asleep again, dry mouth, nasal congestion.

Did you also get a heated humidifier?

sir_cumference · Post by **sir_cumference** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:35 am

I agree with the above, push for the APAP and get a heated humidifier ...

As for masks, try one for a while. I'm not sure that chopping and changing masks all the time helps, you need to try one for a while to know if you can live with it or you can't live without it!
sir_cumference

yardbird · Post by **yardbird** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 9:22 am

"should I push for an apap machine?"

My response to this now that I have one is a resounding "YES!"

Here's why:

I got my new REMStar auto cflex with heated humidifier about a month ago now. I have the software so I've been kinda watching what's going on.
I was titrated at 8cm (five years ago). According to the software, I'm spending almost 70% of the time BELOW 8cm and almost all of that time is at 6cm which is where I have my machine set as the low limit of the range (range is 6 to 10cm). I spend at least a LITTLE time each night at over 9cm. I spend actually very LITTLE time at my titrated pressure.

My current opinion is this:
If our PRESSURE needs are variable, why shouldn't it be normal for our machine to be variable as well? Why is a static pressure machine "normal"?

elliejose · Post by **elliejose** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 11:07 am

I MOST DEFINITELY would push for an auto. I have used both straight cpap and auto (Resmed and Remstar - both with and without C-flex) and find that I rest much better with the auto. My dh says he rests much better when I am auto also because I am not nearly so restless. Besides, if you find you feel better on cpap instead of auto, the auto can always be set for straight cpap. I really like my Remstar, because with my higher pressures the C-flex feature really helped me starting out. I don't always use it now, but still do when I cannot get my nose unstuffed as it helps this.

I don't know why anyone would take a straight c-pap if it is possible to get an auto.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX, CPAP, auto

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 11:29 am

yardbird wrote:"should I push for an apap machine?"

My response to this now that I have one is a resounding "YES!"

Here's why:

I got my new REMStar auto cflex with heated humidifier about a month ago now. I have the software so I've been kinda watching what's going on.
I was titrated at 8cm (five years ago). According to the software, I'm spending almost 70% of the time BELOW 8cm and almost all of that time is at 6cm which is where I have my machine set as the low limit of the range (range is 6 to 10cm). I spend at least a LITTLE time each night at over 9cm. I spend actually very LITTLE time at my titrated pressure.

My current opinion is this:
If our PRESSURE needs are variable, why shouldn't it be normal for our machine to be variable as well? Why is a static pressure machine "normal"?

Yardbird,

Very well stated testimonial demonstating the potential benefits of using an auto-pap.

Lower pressure = more comfort + less leaks... a great formula for success. Plus you receive the occasional boost above your titrated pressure when it is needed.

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 2:56 pm

Yardbird wrote:

If our PRESSURE needs are variable, why shouldn't it be normal for our machine to be variable as well? Why is a static pressure machine "normal"?

Having a variable (auto) machine is great for most folk. Some, however, do have awakenings caused by change in pressure. Also, if the machine is not sensitive enough to your specific sleep patterns and loss of muscle tone (throat closing) you may have awakenings as a result of the machine not increasing pressure soon enough.

If you have a clean titration study, and the vanilla (single-pressure) CPAP, is set correctly, and you can tolerate the pressure, and have a good fitting mask, you are getting the least complex treatment. Keeping it simple is a good rule for most to follow.

Having said all of this, I use an auto machine (420E) and have good success with it. I keep the range narrow (9-11.5) -my most recent titration showed that I am sensitive to pressure change and had awakenings based on pressure change as well as awakenings based on flow restriction in my throat.

I'd encourage purchase of autopap by anyone that can afford it as all of the auto machines offer the option of functioning in "vanilla" mode if the auto mode does not suit you and, if you have the software, they offer you the ability to review the treatment that the machine delivered.

Autopap, (like C-Flex) is a great tool, but it is not the defacto solution for everyone. If at all possible, try to trial as many different autopap machines as possible BEFORE you commit to any one machine. The recommendations offered here are only as good as the individual offering them and, as all of us are different, take the time to find the machine that suits YOU best.

FL andy · Post by **FL andy** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:54 pm

WillSucceed wrote:

...if the machine is not sensitive enough to your specific sleep patterns and loss of muscle tone (throat closing) you may have awakenings as a result of the machine not increasing pressure soon enough....

Autopap, (like C-Flex) is a great tool, but it is not the defacto solution for everyone. If at all possible, try to trial as many different autopap machines as possible BEFORE you commit to any one machine. The recommendations offered here are only as good as the individual offering them and, as all of us are different, take the time to find the machine that suits YOU best.

Wouldn't it be great if there was a way to summarize the "sleep patterns, etc" of the various major APAP machines? And post this information on cpaptalk. Then perhaps it would ease the decision process *before* buying, or agreeing to rent from a DME, the *wrong* APAP

Maybe the sleep pattern data for each machine is not available to us - the consumers. But even a little data summarized by machine manufacturer would be very useful to us in making an informed decision. Or can't even this be done?

Or is my thinking all wrong?

Andy

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX, DME, APAP

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 7:07 pm

You could look at the patents for the machines and see the algorithms they use, how they're set and the timing.

ProfessorSleep · Post by **ProfessorSleep** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 9:14 pm

I prefer the auto, but oddly enough, I run it in straight cpap mode. But that is what works for me. The main advantage with the Auto is that the auto is there if/when I need it. I also really like having access to data so I can see what is going on when I have questions about the therapy, or just to keep up with what's happening. With auto you have a choice and more control over your therapy (even if you run it in cpap). I do like having that degree of involvement and choices!

Question please

Question please

i vote "YES"

Re: Question please