Exhale Pressure Relief (EPR) - Could you do without?

[Fredman]

I am just wondering if you could do without EPR if you already have it? Have you ever tried using a unit that does not have EPR? Obviously, everyone is different and may or may not be able to adjust easily without EPR.

I have always had it with my machine, even originally titrated with the same machine. Now, I qualify to purchase a new unit and I am intrigued by the two units produced by Fisher and Paykal the SleepStyle 254 or the ICON Auto both utilize the Sensawake algorithm that senses when you are waking and lowers the pressure. It appears that neither of them have EPR.

I am not sure if not having EPR will be a deal breaker or not even if Sensawake, I am hoping will help me stay asleep at night. I appreciate your thoughts on this...thanks!

[Hawthorne]

I did not have exhalation relief on my first cpap machine,an older Remstar Pro - pre exhaltion relief. It was a straight cpap. I used it for 6 years. I don't remember it being any problem.

Then I bought an auto and started using A-Flex. I only use it at 1(tried 2 and 3 early on) but I have tried doing without it and cannot seem to adjust back. I didn't really try very hard because I was doing well.

Now I have the PR System One Auto and use the same A-Flex 1 setting. I have not tried to do without the exhalation relief at all on the System One. Still doing well.

[kempo]

I don't use it but things change over time and I might need to start using it. Why not have it as an option?

[Emilia]

In a similar price range to those machines you list, you should consider the new IntelliPAP AutoAdjust with Smartflex. It is a new machine as of this month....with the added feature of Smartflex. Go to SecondWindCpap dot com to read about it....they are the only ones carrying it at the moment, that I know of. I purchased mine from them and have used it now for two nights. It is an incredibly quiet machine, and while I have no previous experience with any others, so far so good!

[jdm2857]

And for those of you who haven't seen the other threads, SmartFlex can be added to older Intellipap Autoadjusts via a free firmware update from Devilbiss. You do need a special cable to connect the machine to your PC to install the new firmware.

[jdm2857]

And, on topic, I have never enabled EPR on my machine, so I don't know what I'm missing.

[Beachmeezer]

I have a Sleepstyle 254. I'm really new at this and am still figuring out my machine. I know that I've never had any issues with exhaling etc. Sometimes when I wake up I put my hand in front of the vent to see if the machine is still on
Kim

[DoriC]

We discovered pretty quickly that Aflex/Cflex did not match my husband's breathing pattern, rushing his inhale before he had finished his exhale, so we turned it Off after a few weeks. It's a nice comfort feature to have though if you need it.

[Tovi]

I LOVE EPR. Without EPR, at the higher pressures (12), I feel like the mask is pushing into my face and suffocating me. I could probably learn to tolerate the feeling since it's not real, but I'm glad I don't have to.

[Fredman]

In a similar price range to those machines you list, you should consider the new IntelliPAP AutoAdjust with Smartflex. It is a new machine as of this month....with the added feature of Smartflex. Go to SecondWindCpap dot com to read about it....they are the only ones carrying it at the moment, that I know of. I purchased mine from them and have used it now for two nights. It is an incredibly quiet machine, and while I have no previous experience with any others, so far so good!

Actually the host of this forum also carries it at cpap.com

https://www.cpap.com/cpap-machine/devil ... chine.html

[sleepycarol]

For approximately 2 and 1/2 years I used an M series apap with the c-flex set at 3.

Last year at around Christmas time, I purchased a Resmed Vantage apap. Though the Vantage has EPR when used in straight cpap, this feature does not work with the apap part. I find I do better using the apap mode (did try straight cpap for a few nights with the EPR enabled) and haven't find not having exhale relief a problem. My machine is set for a range of 9 to 15. I typically range between 11 and 12 with occassional spikes near 13. I find that I go to sleep faster at the lower setting and not using the ramp and then letting the machine go up to the higher range.

[Emilia]

@ Fredman -- yes, our host does carry it, but that one is the old model...not with Smartflex. Furthermore, the other site where I bought it includes the heated humidifier for the $469. Had our host had the same offer, I would have bought it there, but they do not have the newest model in stock at this time.

[Fredman]

@ Fredman -- yes, our host does carry it, but that one is the old model...not with Smartflex. Furthermore, the other site where I bought it includes the heated humidifier for the $469. Had our host had the same offer, I would have bought it there, but they do not have the newest model in stock at this time.

Thanks Emilia, I missed that on the spec sheet.

[Goofproof]

Yes I could, I have it turned down to 1 now as low as it will go. but I could see no need to, i'm at 15 CM not a low pressure... Jim

[rdfry]

nope don't use it