Flex / EPAP

Hey guys I know setting the flex or EPAP makes it easier to breath out. But do some people do better without it at all? A dr suggested trying to turn it off. I keep it at “1” setting for now.

I know everyone is different but Curious what most people tend to do.

There isn't a one size fits all.

Some don't like any exhale relief, some like a lot.

For some, it can actually cause central apneas.

I've always liked it. When I had an AirSense, I liked EPR set to 3 (a 3 CM drop). Now that I use a BiLevel, I like PS set to 4. A 4 CM difference.

Set your Flex to a value try it, see what's most comfortable. Keep an eye on your Central Apneas. If your Centrals skyrocket, reduce or turn off. Then go with what's comfortable.

A lot of novice CPAP users find Flex/EPR important to learning to tolerate CPAP.

So I know it’s a comfort thing. But is it more “efficient” or better at stopping apnea’s if no flex?

Here's the deal with exhale relief....if a person isn't comfortable then they can't fall asleep or stay asleep and if you can't sleep then it doesn't really matter much does it? This is sleep apnea....not awake apnea that we are treating here and you gotta get the sleep first before anything else matters.

While it may be "only a comfort" feature in some people's minds....in my mind if I am more comfortable than I am more likely to fall asleep and stay asleep and THAT is the primary goal isn't it??? Sleep itself....whatever we have to do to get it is fair game in my book.

And yes...while I can do without exhale relief if I had to....I am much more comfortable with it and I fall asleep easier with it because it just feels so much more like natural breathing to me.

I’m trying it tonight. Initial thought are it’s much harder for me to breath without the flex set at 1. Definitely don’t like it, unless it works.

NewToSleepApnea wrote: ↑

Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:10 pm

Hey guys I know setting the flex or EPAP makes it easier to breath out. But do some people do better without it at all? A dr suggested trying to turn it off. I keep it at “1” setting for now.

Why?

I keep it at a 1 because it worked better than 2 and 3. And I tried it on zero and my AHI went up, plus it was uncomfortable.

I am raising the pressure a bit tho instead.

You can't judge how something is working based on one night. If you make a change, go with it for several days before making a judgement.