Does EPR make a noticable difference?

[chopper06]

Hi Gumby,
I don't think I am having any centrals. Only indicated OA and OH on my graph. I don't have a narrative that gives me detailed information, but will ask for one when I go to the clinic on Tues. I don't have much info. on my sleep study, other than I have mod-severe sleep apnea. I also remember the nurse practitioner telling me my O2 sats dropped to 82%.
During the sleep study, they put the CPAP machine on 3am. Took me till 4:15 to fall asleep. They upped the pressure from 5 to 9 between 4:15 and 6am.
They said I didn't have any events when the pressure was set at 8. Had events when pressure was lower, and when pressure was 9.
I have not seen a copy of my prescription, should I ask to see it? thanks again........

[Lizistired]

Hi Gumby,
I don't think I am having any centrals. Only indicated OA and OH on my graph. I don't have a narrative that gives me detailed information, but will ask for one when I go to the clinic on Tues. I don't have much info. on my sleep study, other than I have mod-severe sleep apnea. I also remember the nurse practitioner telling me my O2 sats dropped to 82%.
During the sleep study, they put the CPAP machine on 3am. Took me till 4:15 to fall asleep. They upped the pressure from 5 to 9 between 4:15 and 6am.
They said I didn't have any events when the pressure was set at 8. Had events when pressure was lower, and when pressure was 9.
I have not seen a copy of my prescription, should I ask to see it? thanks again........

You should ask for a copy of your full reports with condenseded graphs AND your prescription.
It will help you understand your treatment and give you the knowledge you need to ask questions of your sleep doctor and get what you need from your DME.

[esangston]

Thanks for all the responses.
I have been using the machine for 3 weeks. I can not get used to the exhale. It feels like I am having to work at getting my breath out. I too am getting 2-3 hours of sleep per night, max...... I will go to the DME on Tuesday, as they will have a machine with EPR for me to try. I know 8 seems low to many, but I too feel it is my max. I guess we are each different....and have to find what works for us

I too have been on cpap for about 3 weeks and my pressure is at 8 . but yep cpaps different for all of us, i dont mind my pressure, I'll actually watch tv when I'm exhausted hoping to pass out so I put it on. And I don't sleep... I have my epr set at 2 but will prob turn it off soon as my ahi is better with out it. I completely turned it off when I was trying to use the nasal pillows and I didn't notice a difference, but my ahi was much better. Come to think of it... I didn't feel like I was getting enough air thru the swift fx for her, and the dme said a lot of people have that issue so maybe you should try that... Maybe you wont feel the pressure so bad. It's worth a shot while your at the dme to try em out there. They are way more comfortable than the mirage too.

[GumbyCT]

Here is an example of what I was talking about...

I have my epr set at 2 but will prob turn it off soon as my ahi is better with out it. I completely turned it off when I was trying to use the nasal pillows and I didn't notice a difference, but my ahi was much better. Come to think of it... I didn't feel like I was getting enough air thru the swift fx for her, and the dme said a lot of people have that issue so maybe you should try that...

IF you can't breath thru your nose get that fixed. I know pillows are much easier to seal and far more comfy.

imo - the nose does what it is designed to do and will regulate the air flow we need need (reducing the pressure). Finding the right mask for you is the key too success.

[49er]

I use Aflex, which I think is a similar concept.

Even though my doctor's minimum settings are 9, I bumped it up to 10 with Aflex settings at 1 with the I and E settings at 3 since I am lot more comfortable. Hopefully, doing that is not causing apneas to escape. I will will find out when I install my software.

I really think it depends on the individual. I tried a variety of settings and combinations and have consistently come back to the current setup.

49er

[RandyJ]

If you are having a hard time breathing out against 8 cm pressure, my first question would be whether your nasal airways are clear? Are you stuffed up?

When I can breathe well through my nose, I can exhale against 14 cm of pressure and don't notice it. If I'm a little bit blocked, it's tough.

[chunkyfrog]

My first machine was an S9 elite;, and at 14 cm pressure I really needed an EPR of 3.
Later on, when I bought my Autoset, I tried with and without, and am more comfortable with EPR;
although my pressures rarely get above 12 now.

[kwcrnp]

I had muscle/lung pain when I did my titration study. So when I got my S9 autoset, set as a CPAP not auto, I have a pressure of 11 and put the EPR at 3. Very little lung pain.
My AHI is 1-2. Now that I'm on it for a couple of weeks, maybe I'll try at 2 and see how I feel and how my AHI is.... I can't imagine not using it at all though.