A-flex Trying to Self Breathe?

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:39 am

I've been trying to use my new M-series in auto mode with A-flex. My A-flex setting is a 2. My pressure was set to 7 - 15. As I gear down to go to sleep, I would notice that the a-flex pattern was all screwed up and did not match my breathing pattern. Have others noticed this problem? I have switched to C-flex mode with my C-flex set at 1 instead for the time being.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:53 am

what are you talking about? Thanks

GreenIce · Post by **GreenIce** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:25 am

A-Flex is just work fine for me, no screw up pattern. I just let go, not concentrating on breathing and the breathing seems in sync. I prefer A-flex over C-flex, I guess it is a personal choice.

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:29 am

I recall that when I first lay down to sleep it would take a minute or two for my breathing and the A-Flex to match. Then I just relaxed and it was fine. Lately I haven't noticed it at all.

Hope that happens for you, too!

Mindy

FreeLancer74 · Post by **FreeLancer74** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:48 am

Maybe I'm thinking about it too much so it stays out of sync while I'm awake. I figured the machine would wait for me to exhale before it would try and change the pressure. As often, when I'm trying to relax, I'll take deeper breathes at times, or pause my breathing as I try to "sink into the pillows". I just notice that I end up fighting the machine instead with A-flex. When I try to inhale, it'll be on the exhale pressure, and sometimes, it will drop the pressure half way through my inhale, which causes a loss of air sensation and causes me to breathe deeper.

Just a major out of sync issue that I didn't notice the first two nights. I'll give it another whack in a week or so.

Dgrendahl · Post by **Dgrendahl** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:49 am

mindy wrote:I recall that when I first lay down to sleep it would take a minute or two for my breathing and the A-Flex to match. Then I just relaxed and it was fine. Lately I haven't noticed it at all.

Hope that happens for you, too!

Mindy

My experience exactly! I wouldn't go back to a plain c-flex if I can help it.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 9:52 am

remember, A-Flex really doesn't start to "work" and get into the groove until it's in the Auto Mode and has began searching for its critical and optimal ranges...

see sleepapnea.respironics.com/technology/autoalgorithm.aspx

linuxgrl · Post by **linuxgrl** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:53 am

FreeLancer74 wrote:When I try to inhale, it'll be on the exhale pressure, and sometimes, it will drop the pressure half way through my inhale, which causes a loss of air sensation and causes me to breathe deeper.

Me too! I found it to be a very odd sensation so I switched back to C flex and found that much more pleasant. Nothing wrong with that, right? I think these features are just for personal comfort so if you aren't comfortable, you don't have to use them!

KenC · Post by **KenC** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:50 pm

I've noticed something like that too. It's like the machine expects my exhale to start earlier than it actually does, and the last part of my inhale gets cut off (dropped pressure).

It's not overly noticable to me. I usually don't have any problem going back to sleep.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 1:49 pm

I have found all exhalation relief to be similar (EPR, CFLEX, AFLEX). However after a few minutes, that out-of-sync feeling goes away ... just not pay attention to your breathing and it goes away before you realize it. Sort of like getting used to pressure ... when I first dawned a mask under pressure it was really wierd breathing against pressure. Now my body has gotten used to it and I don't give it a second thought. You may be surprised just how easy the human body adapts with some added patience.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:00 pm

quite the contrary, I find A-Flex follows my breathing pattern perfectly. If you are not using the correct setting for your breathing it can feel that it is out-of-sync. You may need to use a setting for 15-30 minutes to determine if it will be comfortable.

I've tried all 3 settings, found #2 the most comfortable for me. When I tried #3, it was too much relief and I felt like I was starving for air.

Keep in mind the machine follows you vs. you following the machine. Just breathe normally, if your Minimum pressure is 8.0 cm or less you may starve for air using #2 or higher.

Try bumping up your Minimum pressure when using Aflex

mindy · Post by **mindy** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:09 pm

Hmmmm - astute as usual, Snoredog!

Now that I think about it, my low pressure was initially 7 and now it's 10 ... so that maybe why I don't notice it anymore...

Mindy

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:14 pm

Having had the same problem with C-Flex all I can say is hang tough and it will get better.

packer · Post by **packer** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 2:22 pm

I had the same thig when it was on 3 and pressure at 7

I now have it at 8.5 and 3 and dont notice anything at all- which I think
is the point!!

I have tried different settings and agree thsat 3 and low pressure is
like not enough air

packer

roster · Post by **roster** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 5:32 pm

I am running at A-Flex setting 3 and pressure range 7 - 10 while recovering from nasal airway surgery. The A-Flex feels great to me.

Sometimes when I first put the mask on, I feel a little out of sync. I picked up some tips on cpaptalk about rebooting your breathing. I just exhale as far as I can three or four times and quit worrying about inhalation. This is very relaxing for me.

A-flex Trying to Self Breathe?

A-flex Trying to Self Breathe?

Re: A-flex Trying to Self Breathe?

aflex - feeling like not enough air

Mask

Additional Comments: Also use Pur-Sleep and love it! Other masks: Liberty & Swift II