M Series Auto Questions

[WearyOne]

I'm "saving up" for an auto as I'm tired of getting "average time spent in apnea" up to 45 seconds one night, 0 the next, 18 the next, 36 the next, 6 the next (you get my drift here) when my AHI is under 2 each night. Doesn't seem to matter whether I'm at 8, 8.5, or 9. I get the same problem with all three settings, so what I'm figuring is the nights it's really up there I must be spending more time on my back (no, tennis balls don't work for me!).

I know a little bit about autos, but not much. Since I have the M Series Pro now, I would be getting the M Series Auto either AFLEX or CFLEX so I can keep the same humidifier (I can use the same humidifier, right?) For right now, I have two questions:

Does the Encore Pro software work with the autos?
How tight a range can you set it while in auto?

I'm not trying to hit a "perfect 0," but since I'm still fighting being sleepy during the day, I thought this might help.

Thanks!

Pam

[sleepycarol]

Yes as far as I know the humidifiers are the same.

I have the c-flex auto and love it. I can't compare it to the a-flex as I have not used it but in my opinion you can't go wrong with either machine.

My auto is set for a range of 8 to 12. If you set it too close it is defeating the purpose of the auto and if set too far apart it may take too long to reach the pressure needed to stop the apneas (from what little I know).

[CompuTech007]

I know a little bit about autos, but not much. Since I have the M Series Pro now, I would be getting the M Series Auto either AFLEX or CFLEX so I can keep the same humidifier (I can use the same humidifier, right?) For right now, I have two questions:

Does the Encore Pro software work with the autos?
How tight a range can you set it while in auto?

I have the CFlex Auto and yes, you can use the same humidifier. Encore Pro works fine on this except for some people claiming that once in a while data comes up missing. As for a pressure range, I am prescribed at 15 I currently have mine set at 11.5 - 15 and have bumped that up since November from the default of 4. My range goal is 12 - 15 and that should happen by the middle of March or somewhere there abouts.

Good machine compaired to my plan M-Series. The DME sent that out initially and I complained about it as this was "not what the doctor ordered".

Hope sleep comes to you easier with your new machine.

Jim

[DreamStalker]

Pam -

If you have Encore Pro 1.8, it should work fine with any of the M series autos.

I would recomend getting the AFLEX version since it also offers CLFLEX should your body end up preferring that.

[Wulfman]

I'm "saving up" for an auto as I'm tired of getting "average time spent in apnea" up to 45 seconds one night, 0 the next, 18 the next, 36 the next, 6 the next (you get my drift here) when my AHI is under 2 each night. Doesn't seem to matter whether I'm at 8, 8.5, or 9. I get the same problem with all three settings, so what I'm figuring is the nights it's really up there I must be spending more time on my back (no, tennis balls don't work for me!).

I know a little bit about autos, but not much. Since I have the M Series Pro now, I would be getting the M Series Auto either AFLEX or CFLEX so I can keep the same humidifier (I can use the same humidifier, right?) For right now, I have two questions:

Does the Encore Pro software work with the autos?
How tight a range can you set it while in auto?

I'm not trying to hit a "perfect 0," but since I'm still fighting being sleepy during the day, I thought this might help.

Thanks!

Pam

Maybe you're a "10".

Are those the only pressures you've tried? If you use an Auto, you're probably going to be going higher than where you've been at now.....so why not try moving up on your Pro?
You gonna keep your Pro as a backup?

Den

[Captain_Midnight]

W1 asks...How tight a range can you set it while in auto?

I suspect that the optimal pressure range will vary among the individual apneic patients. I've been quite successful with a range of 2 cm, and the lower level set to my titrated CPAP pressure.

BTW, I used a CPAP w CFLEX for 2 yrs, then bought an autopap w AFLEX, which I've had for 3 months. I wouldn't trade the AFLEX for all the tea in bags.

Good luck with your selection decision.

[WearyOne]

Maybe you're a "10".

Den, don't I wish.... I might slowly move up to 9.5 or 10, I'm just one of those people whose scared of creating centrals. I'm also switching between the older and newer Hybrid shells. For some reason, on average I get lower numbers with the higher (older) vent shell. Not always, but on average. I'm definitely keeping the Pro as a backup. I have plenty of backup masks, but currently no backup machine!

Dreamstalker, I knew you could set an APAP to CPAP, but I didn't know you could change from AFLEX to CFLEX. That's great. I'm guessing the AFLEX automatically decides what expiratory relief to provide, whereas in CPAP you set the desired expiratroy relief? I'm guessing again, that if you're on APAP you have to choose AFLEX, and if you set it to CPAP you get CFLEX? Or are they interchangeable?

I'm already familiar with the data loss problem with the M Series Pro I have now. As long as I remember to erase the LED data each night, when the data loss on the card happens, at least I have the LED stuff. Does the auto have the same type of data loss (something like two days in a row, about once a month)?

Thanks everyone for your help and insight!

Pam

[DreamStalker]

Only the AFLEX version APAP (M series Auto w/AFLEX) offers both AFLEX and CFLEX (AFLEX+CLFELX+NOFLEX in auto mode and CFLEX+NOFLEX in CPAP mode) ... the CFLEX version APAP only offers CFLEX.

I have not experienced the data loss on mine (yet) but I have only been using it consecutively for labout 3 weeks.

[GumbyCT]

I'm guessing the AFLEX automatically decides what expiratory relief to provide,

NOT, No, Nada - you decide both. A range of 1-3 w/3 being the most relief.

Good Q? Den asking about the back-up.

Aflex would be MY choice - if that matters

[Gerald]

Dreamstalker is correct in his recommendation....purchase the AFLEX machine....then, you can go either way.....after you try 'em both out.

My spare machine is an AFLEX....but, I prefer CFLEX. Your preference may be different.

Just remember....an AFLEX machine requires "version 1.8 of Encore Pro"....or, you can run "Viewer" on it. My preference is 1.8.......but you might like "Viewer" just as well. Purchase "Viewer"....then "scrounge" a copy of 1.8. Skinner's "Analyzer will not work with "Viewer"....but it will work with 1.8. Skinner's program is very, VERY, good.
Gerald

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): cflex, Encore Pro

[ozij]

A-Flex® Pressure Relief Technology

C-Flex™ Pressure Relief Technology

[mindy]

I'd have the A-Flex and have used it in both CPAP and Auto modes and use A-Flex when in Auto and C-Flex when in straight CPAP mode.

I haven't been able to set my pressure range to anything narrower than 2 cm. I've used anywhere from 7-12 (my starting prescribed pressure) to 11-15. I'm currently using a straight pressure and inching up 1/2 cm at a time every week or two. Am now at 14 and finally seem to be keeping AHI below 3 consistently.

Mindy