Aflex or Cflex?

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:29 pm

Dang it, now Tilly's got me all in a pester again. Just when Jen and Blarg and RG and everyone had me talked off the ledge...

Do I want Aflex or Cflex with my new Auto?

I'm at 10, and doing FINE with cflex at 3. I don't think I need it, but if I can get THE BEST, I'm inclined to go that way. Particularly since it looks like this will be OOP for me anyway. What's a little more plastic?

Muchas gracias for your enablement of my OCD....
B.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:42 pm

Babbette,

Go for A-Flex, It offers a sophisticated approach to keeping breathing smooth if there are events & the pressure gets raised in Auto mode.

It includes C-flex for exhalation relief - just as you have today, but it adds inhalation tracking that maintains a max 2 CMS gap in inhalation pressure if the Auto needs to increase pressure.

This total type of relief appears to go a long way to providing what us BiLevel users like.

It looks to be a very clever variant on how an Auto works & one that goes a long way to eliminating some of the concerns with Autos.

DSM

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:50 pm

SOLD! Thanks DSM!

By the way, I'm looking for a used car, got one?

Many thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Barbara

Babette · Post by **Babette** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:53 pm

Okay, so this is the sports car I want, right?

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-advanced.php?PNum=2486

With the HH, of course.

Just making sure... I worry so much about slipping up and missing a detail... You know my worrying is keeping planes aloft over most of North America, right?

Thanks!
B.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:59 pm

Babbette

What makes A-Flex different is that it doesn't just bump the pressure up the way a normal Auto does. It adjusts the increase in the same cycle pattern that the user is breathing to.

I'll try to explain in simple terms ... When the Auto needs to increase pressure, the std Auto may for example go from CMS of 8 to 9. In a std auto after the increase the pressure stays at 9 apart from the small exhalation relief dips provided by C-Flex.

A-Flex adds inhalation relief whereby it varies the inhalation pressure (it doesn't stay at 9) to match the way you are breathing so that you don't feel air is being forced into you at the end of the C-Flex cycle. It also synchronizes this with the C-Flex exhale relief to provide an overall smoother breathing cycle.

#2 The machine maintains the inhale relief within 2 cms of the current auto CMS setting e.g. at 10 CMS the inhale relief with fluctuate by 2 CMS - thus from 8 to 10 CMS. (this part is a little more complex to explain - may do so later).

My bet is that A-Flex may very well reduce or eliminate aerophagia - also
The breathing cycle is coming closer to what the SV machines can do.

DSM

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

phorts · Post by **phorts** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 8:00 pm

This DSM guy is good. heh.

Sorry to hijack your thread, but I have a related quesiton. I have the ResMed AutoSet Spirit and don't beleive it has C-Flex or A-Flex. It's currently set to CPAP w/ a pressure of 7 (which was prescribed by my latest Dr. based on my latest results). I was originally setup 1 year ago w/ my APAP machine set to 6-18 Auto. I would wake up in the middle of the night w/ the mask half off my face, pressure at 18 and my mask leaking like a mofo. That was an UMFF and now i'm using the Hybrid which has been FAR superior in comfort and seal.

Anyways, with a pressure so low, does it really matter if I have these features? I dont notice any real resistance when breathing out and my machine is set to CPAP so i'm not sure A-Flex would assist much even if i did have it.

However, now that i'm monitoring my data via the data cable and software, i'd like to get the analytical and therapudic benefits of using my machine on Auto. And while I havent seen my first 2 nights data yet, my gut feeling is that 7 is not high enough. Would you recommend I set my machine to auto, and if so, which pressure range would you recommend?

My feeling is APAP set to 7-12, but I would appreciate any feedback on this whole C-Flex vs A-Flex, CPAP vs APAP bizniss.

Thanks Everyone

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

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:11 pm

phorts wrote:My feeling is APAP set to 7-12

That sounds fine to me, but of course, I'm not a doctor.

phorts, a straight pressure of 9 or 10 would treat me fine. And I have no problem breathing out against either of those pressures. I could use straight cpap for the rest of my life and be comfortable.

What I found out when I began using a machine with C-flex is that it can be even more comfortable. And then when I tried a bipap machine just for the heck of it, I found that to be even more "more comfortable."

So, just kinda' depends on how much a person wants to try something else just to see what it's like, even if what they already have is ok. Some have not liked C-Flex or done well with it, although many do like it. Sounds like A-Flex is verrrrry comfortable.

sugarsowner · Post by **sugarsowner** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:16 pm

Remstar Auto with C-Flex has both Aflex capapbilities and CFlex Capabilities.

You can adjust the machine to fit your preferences.

I adjust it and have found that Aflex with a setting of 3 comes the closest to natural breathing. And the Aflex will increase your pressure as needed.

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

phorts · Post by **phorts** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:17 pm

I dont think my ResMed AutoSet Sprit APAP machine has CFlex (EPR) Does it?

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sugarsowner · Post by **sugarsowner** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:30 pm

some machines do and some don't come with c-flex. it should be written on the machine. there are many models to choose from.

I can recommend the Remstar Auto with C-Flex because I have had other models without this feature and it makes all the difference.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:42 pm

phorts wrote:I dont think my ResMed AutoSet Sprit APAP machine has CFlex (EPR) Does it?

The S7 AutoSet Spirit doesn't have EPR. It has no exhalation relief.

The S8 AutoSet Vantage has EPR, but its EPR feature can be used only when the Vantage is operating in "cpap" mode; can't turn on its EPR when using it as an autopap in auto mode.

phorts · Post by **phorts** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:56 pm

Thanks Rested Gal,

I thought that was the case. After reading a lot more on EPR (C-Flex) and A-Flex it seems it's really only helpful for people who have trouble breathing out against their pressure. I see why ResMed doesn't enable EPR during APAP but am curious if Respironics enables their C-Flex during APAP? It just seems like a lot of craziness going on that could go wrong during sleep. I think i do like the option for APAP with a small range just in case you need the extra pressure, and it's good for the data gathering, but I dont think having just CPAP is bad if it works for you and you dont have trouble breathing out.

Interesting stuff.... I do find myself wanting the latest and greatest and sleeker looking machines like the Respironics MFlex, but i think i'll stick w/ what I got until I see a reason to change other than vanity

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:00 pm

phorts wrote: I see why ResMed doesn't enable EPR during APAP but am curious if Respironics enables their C-Flex during APAP?

They do on the M series Auto (either C-Flex or A-Flex).

They didn't on the REMstar Auto (classic tank). That machine, like yours, had exhalation relief only in CPAP mode, not in Auto mode.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:02 pm

Cool. Anyone want to trade me their M-Series for my ResMed AutoSet Spirit APAP?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:11 pm

The Remstar APAP Classic, has Cflex in the auto mode, the setting mode is called aflex, it also has a auto mode without cflex. Jim

Aflex or Cflex?

Aflex or Cflex?

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