Geoffro - First night on a-flex

Ok all,

I had my first night on the a-flex last night. I really like how there is virtually no resistance when exhaling. The machine is quite a bit louder than my old machine however. No problem though, I'll sleep through it. I woke up this morning and my nose was clear. Lately, I had been waking up because I just couldn't breathe in anymore because my nose was closed, not clogged, closed/swollen shut or whatever. I believe it's a sinus problem. Anyway, here are my numbers from the 1st night. Comments and suggestions please.

90% pressure = 14.0cm (This concerns me since I have the machine set from 9-14cm. Does this mean I need to up the max? I have been on straight 12cm for the past 2 years.)

System leak = 49.4 L/min

AHI = 5.7

My machine settings are as follows:

Therapy = Auto
Comfort type = A-flex
Auto Max = 14
Auto Min = 9
A-flex setting = 2
Autoramp = 5 min
Autoramp = 4.0cm
Mask Alert = OFF
Auto Off = OFF
Split night = OFF
Show AHI = ON
Patient reminder = OFF

Thanks in advance!

Geoff

I would increase the Auto:Max on up to 16 cm and see what happens, if it runs up to 16 cm then I would look closely as to why (snoring, centrals etc.).

I would also set the following so you can have the machine drop back down on pressure on demand:

Autoramp = 5 min (if it takes you 15-30 minutes to fall asleep, increase this to 15 or 30 minutes)

Autoramp = 9.0cm (you are currently at 4.0cm, set it up higher or to your Auto:Min so when you hit the Ramp button it will drop pressure from 14 cm back down to 9.0 cm)

With the new settings above, your Auto:Max=16 cm, if 14 was the highest needed it should stop there. Next time you are awaken at 14 cm, hit the Ramp button it will automatically take your pressure back down to Auto:Ramp pressure set (you are currently at 4.0 cm too low).

Nothing wrong with using Auto:Ramp if it helps you fall asleep again, that is what it is there for.

it continues to amaze how some people claim these are "loud"--nevermind that it's saving your life. It's not LOUD! It's a machine with moving parts. Put on some classical music and go to bed if it's that "loud"--a police siren is loud.

geoffro wrote:Ok all,

I had my first night on the a-flex last night. I really like how there is virtually no resistance when exhaling. The machine is quite a bit louder than my old machine however. No problem though, I'll sleep through it. I woke up this morning and my nose was clear. Lately, I had been waking up because I just couldn't breathe in anymore because my nose was closed, not clogged, closed/swollen shut or whatever. I believe it's a sinus problem. Anyway, here are my numbers from the 1st night. Comments and suggestions please.

90% pressure = 14.0cm (This concerns me since I have the machine set from 9-14cm. Does this mean I need to up the max? I have been on straight 12cm for the past 2 years.)

System leak = 49.4 L/min

AHI = 5.7

My machine settings are as follows:

Therapy = Auto
Comfort type = A-flex
Auto Max = 14
Auto Min = 9
A-flex setting = 2
Autoramp = 5 min
Autoramp = 4.0cm
Mask Alert = OFF
Auto Off = OFF
Split night = OFF
Show AHI = ON
Patient reminder = OFF

Thanks in advance!

Geoff

I would bump up the minimum if it were me......closer to or at what your old pressure was. You could also raise the max by 1. It could be leaking or snoring that's causing the pressure increases, too.....not just the other events.

Den

geoffro wrote:90% pressure = 14.0cm (This concerns me since I have the machine set from 9-14cm. Does this mean I need to up the max? I have been on straight 12cm for the past 2 years.)

I'm not a doctor, but I'd say, "Yes, increase the maximum pressure setting."

If it were me, I'd set the machine at 10 - 20.

Also, unless I absolutely needed it to fall asleep, I'd turn off the ramp.

geoffro wrote: System leak = 49.4 L/min

That leak is a bit high, imho. Not terrible, but somewhat high. I'd want the leak rate to be no more than 40 L/min, preferably less. I'd work on that all I could.

Anonymous wrote:it continues to amaze how some people claim these are "loud"--nevermind that it's saving your life. It's not LOUD! It's a machine with moving parts. Put on some classical music and go to bed if it's that "loud"--a police siren is loud.

Hey, I'm not complaining about it!! I'm just stating a fact.

Anyway, thanks for the positive comments!!

Thanks all for the comments and input. Is there some standards or ideals where I'd like my readings to be?? For instance, AHI <2, Leak < 40, etc.

Here's a link for mask leak rates:

http://www.internetage.com/cpapinfo/leak-rates-1.html

AHI of less than 5.0 is considered "normal".

With most any mask, you need to adjust the headgear tension at the max pressure it may (or typically) reach.

I also use the UMFF at 12 cm. and the leak rate usually runs from the high 30's to low 40's.

Den