Which machines are C-flex capable?

I went through my sleep study about a week and a half ago and was found to have moderate sleep apnea. For years my wife had been saying I stop breathing when I sleep and I kept ignoring it until finally getting tired (hahaha) of being tired all the time. Most of my apnea's are hypoapnea's but they last a rather long time. Had a handful of OSA and CSA's too.

When I went through the titration I woke up in the middle and couldn't get back to sleep. It was tough to breath out so it kept me awake until the tech came in and we talked and she switched things first to bipap which I did not tolerate well and then to C-flex which worked amazing. I was able to relax agian and fell asleep, not waking until the end of the titration.

I am not sure of my preasure yet, haven't heard from the DME and have to wait a few days before I can get a copy of my reports.

Basically I want to get an idea of what machines are C-flex capable so I know going in what the DME is giving me is right. I don't know exactly what the prescription is for, the office just called and said that they called it in to a DME that covers my insurance and I should hear from them in a few days and if not to call them back. I do know the tech said the Dr will prescribe C-flex for me because I had so much trouble without it.

Already talked to my insurance they cover 100% of whatever is prescribed by my Dr. As far as the rent/purchase outright the rep on the phone said it's based on the cost of the machine if it's more econimcal for them if they rent it or buy it. But really since they cover 100% there's no co-pay for me. The only benefit is if they buy it and my insurance changes I would have it and not worry about a co-pay starting up.

The DeVilbiss Intellipap Autoadjust has C-flex. I've been using it for 6 nights, and I find the C-flex helps me breathe easier during the ramp feature (ramping is when you are awake and getting used to the machine before you drift off to sleep.) The c-flex feature has choices for you, you can use it all during the time you are on the machine or just duriong the ramping portion. You can also choose the amount of c-flex you want to use as well as amount you want for inhalation and expiration.

there will be others who will response who can explain this better. i'm new....and sleepy!!

Best of luck to y ou as you start your journey back to more restful sleep!

Correction to Junebug...

Devilbis has Smartflex

Price Respironics has CFLEX, CFLEX+, AFLEX and BiFLEX

Resmed has EPR

Is there much of a difference between these?

I know that I was titrated on a respironics, since it was c-flex the tech used when I struggled to breath out against the preasure.

Are all of them similar in that if the Dr. puts down the need for c-flex that getting a Resmed with EPR would be alright?

All these extra options gets confusing.

The terms Smartflex, C-FLEX, EPR are linked to specific brands. To be on the safe side, I would ask the doctor to specify "exhalation pressure relief" on the prescription as a generic description. That way, whichever brand you get would have that feature.

These features are similar, but there are slight differences and many cpap users have preferences. I have used Phillips Respironics machines with C-Flex and A-Flex. I had a slight preference for A-Flex. I now have a ResMed with EPR and I like it even better than the A-Flex.

You may want to spend some time researching machine features in addition to exhalation relief and if there is a specific machine you think you want to use ask the doctor to write the prescription for that machine very specifically. Some doctors will do that for their patients and some won't. You will be more persuasive if you can explain to your doctor why you want these features.

Good luck.

DeVilbiss SmartFlex offers 3 pressure comfort settings:
• Each setting equates to an exact 1 cm H20 drop in pressure upon exhalation
• This drop in pressure will last the entire duration of exhalation
• Unlike some other technologies, SmartFlex will be suspended anytime the flow generator senses an insufficient respiration (i.e. Apnea)
• Also, unlike some competitive solutions, SmartFlex is available during ramp delay

In contrast to other technologies DeVilbiss has incorporated our patented Flow Rounding feature
• Enhances comfort by allowing for adjustment of transitions in and out of inspiration and exhalation
• This provides for a more natural and comfortable waveform
• IPAP and EPAP transitions are individually adjustable
• Settings range from 0 - 5

Please let me know if you have any questions.

This is interesting:
It kind of relates to using an unbroken breathing pattern to quell a case of hiccups.
I discovered that 'catching' my breath between inhaling and exhaling often precipitated the muscle spasms we call hiccups.
In avoiding the 'catch', I have been very successful in stopping them very quickly.
Smooth transitions seem very restful. . .

Thanks so much for the information everyone. I heard from the DME today, I go in Monday morning to meet with them. I am going to go buy the sleep clinic tomorrow to try and pick up copies of my reports so I can have them on hand.

Looking forward to getting the machine. I did well with the titration and using CPAP didn't bother me until the pressure got to high and they used the C-flex. Even with waking in the middle of the night and staying awake for some time I had energy to go all day. The tech woke me up at 6 am and I didn't go to sleep until late that night. I went shopping, fishing, playing around with the kids.

I noticed a big difference the next day after I didn't have the CPAP the night before. I felt bogged down all day, yawning, dozing.