Another forum

[Cpapian]

A while back I bookmarked another forum and only just looked at it today. Called MyApnea.

It is a forum supported by a Boston hospital, a number of related associations and dentists. Sleepyhead is not mentioned, so far, in my readings.

I found it interesting in that there was some different terminology used, problems pretty much the same, but some answers seemed just a tad off from what I am used to here. Not many and maybe it's just me who would think so.

For instance, one responder posted that EPR was dangerous and shouldn't be used and another responder who mentioned the "for her" model as only suitable for pressures under 12

[Goofproof]

Just goes to show, "Whack A Dootles" post on the internet in Boston too, and people read their trivel. I'm sure you can find incorrect posts everywhere truth is ignored. Jim

I didn't go to the site, I don't raise poor false statements ratings on Google, by visiting poor sites.

[Stom]

another responder who mentioned the "for her" model as only suitable for pressures under 12

Looks like a misunderstanding of both the "for her model" (which also has the "regular" model's APAP modes available as well) and an over simplified understanding of the "For Her" algorithm.

"AutoSet for Her mode is based on key aspects of ResMed’s AutoSet algorithm and delivers therapeutic responses tailored to the characteristics of female OSA patients.
The AutoSet for Her is similar to ResMed’s AutoSet algorithm with the following modifications:
• Reduced rate of pressure increments designed to help prevent arousals.
• Slower pressure decays.
• Treats apneas up to 12 cm H2O and continues to respond to flow limitation and snore up to 20 cm H2O."

ResMed Clinical Manual for A10 series

The for her model doesn't up the pressure after an apnea if the pressure is already above 12cm, but it does continue to up the pressure when it detects flow limitations and snores. This is on purpose and part of the treatment algorithm.

[JimW159]

Before you reject MyApnea out of hand, consider that it is largely populated by apnea sufferers just like here. In that it also suffers from some of the same misunderstandings and misinformation we often see here. The only way forums such as this elevate the general discourse is for knowledgeable members to participate and provide thoughtful, well informed, and accurate information. One thing you do not find is an institutional and dogmatic mindset dominated by any one voice. SleepyHead, by the way is used as a model of gaining information and control for patients seeking support in their journey. One active member "Sierra" provides a download link in his/her signature for those who want to use it. If you read through the sponsoring partners for the forum you will find some of the premier teaching hospitals in sleep medicine as well as professional societies engaged in sleep medicine research and standard setting. One of the major efforts of the group has to do with creating and promoting patient centered treatment and an informed partnership between patients and healthcare providers. CPAPTalk is fortunate In the wealth of knowledge and the general maturity of discourse one finds here. That did not happen overnight, though. It took an enlightened view by the hosts of this forum and the willingness of members to share their experiences and information. If more members who care join this and other forums and participate in the discussion at an elevated level the result can only be an equal elevation in the knowledgebase we all depend on in our effort to treat our common enemy - sleep apnea and other breathing disorders.

[djams]

A while back I bookmarked another forum and only just looked at it today. Called MyApnea.
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For instance, one responder posted that EPR was dangerous and shouldn't be used

Interested in the "dangerous EPR" statement because my sleep doctor apparently feels the same way. All his patients get setup with EPR OFF. I'm using EPR 3, I love it but certainly don't want to use it if it's dangerous.

Here is a link to the thread on MyApnea - it's a good thread. The poster is a sleep technician, and it sounds like he knows what he's talking about. A good read, if you're interested. Be sure to continue into the comments. https://myapnea.org/forum/not-understand-epr-setting

Here's the real skinny, the reply when a poster challenged the "dangerous" statement.

Your ResMed machine should be able to detect the central apnoeas if they develop, so you're probably fine. I'm glad it's helpful for you. For most people EPR is probably harmless, it's just that there are risks, and the number of people for whom it is a problem, albeit the minority, is still pretty significant. Even a small proportion of sufferers from a condition as common as OSA can be tens of thousands of people (possibly even hundreds). This is exacerbated by the fact that the manufacturers tell everyone that it's completely harmless and everyone should use it, so most CPAP machines have it turned on by default. As usual, proper education is the key here, along with healthcare professionals who are prepared to put in all of the work required to do the job properly.

So my takeaway here is that for people who monitor their therapy with SH or ResScan, there is absolutely no possibility of "danger". We would see that EPR is causing a problem and simply turn it off.

Thanks Cpapian for posting this. I finally understand my doc's stance on this, and I'll discuss it with him at next followup.

[chunkyfrog]

I used EPR at first, and only stopped because it disrupted the fit on my Sleepweaver Elan.
I never put it on again, but it can be very useful when starting out with cpap

[ChicagoGranny]

people who monitor their therapy with SH or ResScan, there is absolutely no possibility of "danger".

+1

Or just looking at the sleep report on the machine display every morning would be a sufficient alert if something bad would happen. That's what I do. Only if something looks wrong, do I check SH.

[djams]

Only if something looks wrong, do I check SH.

I've got to work on this. SH is still a shiny new toy for me. I wake up, yank the SD card and drop it in my bathrobe pocket. Make cup of coffee and grab the laptop. Even when my AHI is < 1. Checking SH is becoming an obsession. Any tips besides self-discipline, which doesn't seem to be an option for me?

The problem with this for me is that sometimes the SD card doesn't make it back to the machine. Happened twice this week.

[prodigyplace]

Only if something looks wrong, do I check SH.

I've got to work on this. SH is still a shiny new toy for me. I wake up, yank the SD card and drop it in my bathrobe pocket. Make cup of coffee and grab the laptop. Even when my AHI is < 1. Checking SH is becoming an obsession. Any tips besides self-discipline, which doesn't seem to be an option for me?

The problem with this for me is that sometimes the SD card doesn't make it back to the machine. Happened twice this week.

Hide the SD card?

[djams]

Only if something looks wrong, do I check SH.

I've got to work on this. SH is still a shiny new toy for me. I wake up, yank the SD card and drop it in my bathrobe pocket. Make cup of coffee and grab the laptop. Even when my AHI is < 1. Checking SH is becoming an obsession. Any tips besides self-discipline, which doesn't seem to be an option for me?

The problem with this for me is that sometimes the SD card doesn't make it back to the machine. Happened twice this week.

Hide the SD card?

Ha! My wife may take care of that for me. She's glad I'm feeling better, but thinks I'm "going overboard".

[SusanWink]

The problem with this for me is that sometimes the SD card doesn't make it back to the machine. Happened twice this week.

I leave the door open to the sd card/filter area when the card is out. Haven’t forgotten it yet

[djams]

The problem with this for me is that sometimes the SD card doesn't make it back to the machine. Happened twice this week.

I leave the door open to the sd card/filter area when the card is out. Haven’t forgotten it yet

I like this! Thanks SusanWink! Two thumbs up.

[greatunclebill]

Lessons learned: Take the card out of the computer after downloading it. Immediately set it on the keyboard. When I stand up, go put it in the cpap. Fool proof (or so you would think).

[palerider]

A while back I bookmarked another forum and only just looked at it today. Called MyApnea.
.
.
.
For instance, one responder posted that EPR was dangerous and shouldn't be used

Interested in the "dangerous EPR" statement because my sleep doctor apparently feels the same way. All his patients get setup with EPR OFF. I'm using EPR 3, I love it but certainly don't want to use it if it's dangerous.

Here is a link to the thread on MyApnea - it's a good thread. The poster is a sleep technician, and it sounds like he knows what he's talking about. A good read, if you're interested. Be sure to continue into the comments. https://myapnea.org/forum/not-understand-epr-setting

Here's the real skinny, the reply when a poster challenged the "dangerous" statement.

Your ResMed machine should be able to detect the central apnoeas if they develop, so you're probably fine. I'm glad it's helpful for you. For most people EPR is probably harmless, it's just that there are risks, and the number of people for whom it is a problem, albeit the minority, is still pretty significant. Even a small proportion of sufferers from a condition as common as OSA can be tens of thousands of people (possibly even hundreds). This is exacerbated by the fact that the manufacturers tell everyone that it's completely harmless and everyone should use it, so most CPAP machines have it turned on by default. As usual, proper education is the key here, along with healthcare professionals who are prepared to put in all of the work required to do the job properly.

So my takeaway here is that for people who monitor their therapy with SH or ResScan, there is absolutely no possibility of "danger". We would see that EPR is causing a problem and simply turn it off.

Thanks Cpapian for posting this. I finally understand my doc's stance on this, and I'll discuss it with him at next followup.

"sleeptech" is the kind of thinks they know it all blowhard that we do our best to chase off over here. It *sounds* like he knows what he's talking about, but he doesn't... at least not in this aspect. Greatly exaggerating the risks, putting fear into people, bent on control, "we do not allow..."

Yes, I've seen a few people that had EPR induced centrals... did they DIE? NO. were their numbers kinda crap? yes. Fact is, centrals are much less disruptive to your sleep than obstructives... with a central, you just decide not to breathe for a bit, with obstructives, you're FIGHTING to breathe. If you hold your breath for a half a minute, you probably won't see much change in your oxygenation... that's all a central is. Now, if you're got them back to back, your oxygen levels will start dropping, and then it's a problem. A few of them here and there throughout the hour aren't going to do that. Like I said, greatly exaggerating the 'danger' in order to scare people.

By 'sleeptechs's logic... Bilevel machines would be killing everybody left and right.

EPR and *flex are *not* the same, they don't behave the same... they do something somewhat similar, but they're certainly NOT the same.

[palerider]

The problem with this for me is that sometimes the SD card doesn't make it back to the machine. Happened twice this week.

put the card back in the machine *before* you let yourself look at the charts. Or get one of the wifi SD cards, so you never take it out of the machine.