Is there a benefit in using FLEX?

[Jason S.]

Recently bought Respironics M Series APAP with A Flex. I haven't tried either A-Flex or C-Flex. Breathing out of my FFM doesn't bother me. Been getting nightly AHI in the 1.0-2.0 range.

Any reason/benefit to try either Flex option?

[Necro]

I have the M series CPAP with C-Flex and basically it just makes exhalation more comfortable.

[Hawthorne]

It's a personal thing.

I use A-Flex at a setting of 1. I like the exhalation relief but just a little ( so 1 instead of 2 or 3). I have tried 2 and 3 but don't like it as well.

I have also tried the C-Flex but, to me, the A-Flex feels more like natural breathing.

Others will think differently.

I should add that I have my machine in auto mode set at 10.5 cm to 13 cm and consistently get an AHI below 1. My leak line is great.

Others will get results that are just as good without any Flex or with other settings.

[BleepingBeauty]

I have an M-Series Auto with C- and A-Flex that I have set to run as an APAP at a straight 12cm (min and max pressure is 12). I get more data by running it in Auto mode, but it functions for me like a straight CPAP.

The one time I tried A-Flex with a setting of 2 (for what I thought would be exhalation relief), it put my machine into "true" Auto mode, with a min of 10 and a max of 12. I'm one of those people who does not do well with an APAP, so I've never used either the C- or A-Flex again.

[roster]

Of course the big ballyhoo about this machine when it was first introduced was all over the A-Flex feature. I did lengthy trials of A-Flex and C-Flex. A was worse than C, but I found both made the machine noisier, made it harder to fall asleep, and seemed to cause more awakenings and then it took longer to fall back to sleep.

Like you, I have no problem breathing out against a straight pressure. I no longer use either Flex feature.

I would add my opinion that the relief feature is often only "in one's mind". Most people who say the relief feature helps will have no problem breathing against a straight pressure once they are asleep.

I am still glad I chose the A-Flex machine. If I had taken another machine, I would always be wondering how I would like the A-Flex.

[JimIllinois]

It's the "once they are asleep" that's the problem.

A-flex has an anomaly at the end of a reasonably long exhale that drives me crazy. It's a sort of hitch in the pressure, very short lived. But just enough to keep me awake.

So, I use C-flex and do very nicely.

[Jason S.]

I guess I wasn't clear in my original post.

What I was asking is "Can the aid in exhale produced by Flex result in a better sleep (deeper breaths leading to greater oxygen intake, lower AHI)? I wasn't really concerned about the benefits of exhale relief, since I require none.

[TheDreamer]

I have a Pro with CFlex....

For me, I've found that i've been sleeping better since I turned off CFlex....

I've thought about getting an Auto as a spare....wonder if AFlex would be better, though its more likely my desire to have it all....though now the thinking I should get one while I still can, so that I can continue to look at my data for a long while.....

The Dreamer

[roster]

I guess I wasn't clear in my original post.

What I was asking is "Can the aid in exhale produced by Flex result in a better sleep (deeper breaths leading to greater oxygen intake, lower AHI)? I wasn't really concerned about the benefits of exhale relief, since I require none.

Respironics makes no claim that Flex will result in deeper breaths. In fact part of the A-Flex algorithm gives relief near the end of the inhalation. One might be able to argue that this results in shallower breathing.

IMO, what will improve breathing in the way you mention is to exercise strenuously several times per week. It just seems to follow that being in better shape will increase the strength of the muscles used in breathing and make your whole respiratory system more efficient at absorbing oxygen.

[Jason S.]

I tried about 10 minutes of A-Flex breathing while sitting at my PC (setting of 1). I didn't notice any difference at all, so perhaps the differences comes during sleep. I didn't want to chance it so I left it off. No one has come forward to claim Flex reduces AHI, so I'll stick with my current protocol of APAP with no flex.

[roster]

...... No one has come forward to claim Flex reduces AHI, ........

Jasaon, If you ever change your mind, you should know of my experience and several others with A-Flex. In order to maintain my low AHI, I found that the pressure range needed to be increased by 2 to 3 cm when using A-Flex at a setting of 2 or 3. Under those conditions it was counterproductive to use A-Flex.

[Jason S.]

If you ever change your mind, you should know of my experience and several others with A-Flex. In order to maintain my low AHI, I found that the pressure range needed to be increased by 2 to 3 cm when using A-Flex at a setting of 2 or 3. Under those conditions it was counterproductive to use A-Flex.

Sounds like another reason to not use A-Flex.

[jdm2857]

The benefit from exhalation relief comes from increased compliance from those who perceive exhalation problems.

If you are comfortable without relief, there's really no reason (except curiosity) to turn it on.

[biggziff]

It's the "once they are asleep" that's the problem.

A-flex has an anomaly at the end of a reasonably long exhale that drives me crazy. It's a sort of hitch in the pressure, very short lived. But just enough to keep me awake.

I noticed that too, but only on the newer M series machines. The older, Remstar Autos do not exhibit this behavior.

[toddl1962]

I turned the C-flex option off on mine yesterday and it is a lot quieter. At a pressure of 7 I have no problem exhaling anyway.