Resmed S9 EPR Settings help...

[2Tim215]

I have been suffering from stomach pain for several years now. My Doctors know I am a CPAP user but have never made a link to the pain.

Upon waking once again I did a search and found that it might be
Aerophagia.

I am thinking about adjusting my pressure to 4-10cm from 6-12cm.

I no longer have any software as I have a new computer so do not currently know any history.

Is it possible to set the EPR to work with the 4-10cm setting as at a starting point? If so what would be a good suggestion?

Thank you. I apologize for my lack of contributing with discussion and experiences I have gained.

[Pugsy]

EPR won't engage at 4 cm because the S9 can't go any lower than 4 cm.

[2Tim215]

Thank you. So is the EPR setting for the low end setting only?

I don't believe I understand it correctly.

Thank you...

[2Tim215]

I forgot to mention in this post that I had a hernia mesh implant several years ago and had believed that to be the culprit.

Testing over the last few years has never confirmed the mesh implant as the stomach pain I've been having.

[Pugsy]

EPR is a drop from inhale when you exhale.
At 4 cm it can't drop because the machine can't go lower than 4 cm but if you are using auto adjusting pressures and IF the pressure has increased from the 4 cm then EPR can kick in and drop.

Example...assume that the machine has felt a need to increase the pressure to 6 cm...then if you have EPR set to 3 it will drop from 6 inhale to 4 cm exhale....or if it was at 7 cm it can drop the full 3 cm to 4 cm...
So EPR will still work but only if the machine has increased the pressure for whatever reason it felt the need to increase the pressure.

You really need to get the software up an running if you want to add EPR to your settings in an effort to reduce the aerophagia issues because sometimes when EPR is used that drop in pressure allows the airway to collapse during exhale and you aren't getting good therapy...especially so if you also reduce the minimum pressure when adding in EPR.
My suggestion would be to keep the current settings and add EPR only and see if that helps enough with your symptoms.

Science 101...keep your variables to a minimum so you can best evaluate any changes that might take place. If you go changing more than one thing at a time you won't know which change might have caused any result.

[2Tim215]

Thank you Pugsy.

I should have shared that at 6-12cm the EPR was set at FULL TIME and the level was at 2.

I don't remember adjusting any of the EPR levels. When I started here on this forum it was suggested to discard my "brick" that was set at 7cm and get the S9 which in time my insurance allowed.

Where can I find the software links? I did go back to my old Laptop and tried to update "Sleepyhead" several months ago but it wouldn't update.

I will add the software to my new computer and get back on track.

No excuse for slacking off. Other medical conditions just contributed but I should have stayed on top of my CPAP therapy!

[Pugsy]

You can find the latest SleepyHead version here
https://sleepyhead.jedimark.net/

You could try increasing EPR to 3 and see if it even helps with your belly issues.
At this point we don't know for sure that your belly discomfort is even aerophagia at work.
Don't know if you saw this or not
wiki/index.php/Aerophagia
If it is aerphagia causing the belly pain you might do better if you had more exhale relief than EPR offers and that would mean a different machine but I hesitate to say much about it because you aren't for sure that your belly issues are related to aerophagia.

Try EPR of 3 full time and see what happens. EPR essentially creates a little bilevel situation and bilevel is the next step when people are having bad aerophagia issues.

Use the software so we can see where that pressure is actually going and how long it might be staying elevated. If it is aerophagia at work there might be some other little tweaks that could be done that might help and not compromise therapy effectiveness too much in the process.

[2Tim215]

Thank you Pugsy.

I will move to my computer shortly and download the software.

I just saw my profile showed my settings at 4-12cm.

I am not sure why I moved them to 6cm from 4cm. I went back to my profile settings as they were the longest from what I remember.

I will also check out the wiki link. I don't believe that was where I found the Aerophagia information.

[2Tim215]

It might not be nesseccary but I am due for a new machine. I don't know what the life expectancy is for the S9 but I have had mine from shortly after I joined here.

Has the technology increased with CPAP therapy that surpasses my S9?

I have my "brick" that I kept for a emergency back up but that would have to be very temporary in the event of my S9 failure.

My DME has been trying to contact me for supplies. Of course they are anxious to "serve" me!

They have a standard that I don't believe is my insurance mandating it, but if I am past 6 months with no supplies from them, I have to come "in" with my SD card to show I was "compliant".

It may be time, I guess I would wonder if they would require a new "sleep study".

I drifted a bit from original topic, sorry!

[Pugsy]

You will need to check with your insurance yourself regarding any special requirements for getting more supplies.
Some insurance require proof or documentation that you are still using cpap and others don't care.
Often DMEs come up with their own in house rules and then blame the insurance...so again you need to check yourself and don't rely on what the DME might say in terms of what is required for you to continue to get supplies.

[2Tim215]

Agreed. I will contact my insurance today and see what they suggest.

I'll search for new machine posts and cleaning CPAP machines. The last I checked a while back, external cleaners weren't suggested.

Thank you!

[Pugsy]

I'll search for new machine posts and cleaning CPAP machines. The last I checked a while back, external cleaners weren't suggested.

Still not suggested.
Why would you want to clean the machine itself?
Now a hose or water chamber ....different story.
But if you are thinking used machine....all I ever do is put in new filters and wipe down the outside parts I can easily reach with a little disinfectant wipe and either wash the water chamber really good or replace it...same for hose.