First Frustrations... or is it my own paranoia?

Pugsy wrote:

Culby wrote:if that was the default,

Most likely it was the default setting but you never know with DMEs. There is no reason to deny your access to this feature unless the doctor stated "no CFlex" on script which is highly unlikely. It is just a comfort feature and the reduction in pressure with it is very small.

Actually, there is a valid reason. The morons at Respironics designed the CFLEX controls wrong. The patient can set level 1-3 for CFLEX, but they can't turn it off completely without using the clinician's menu. Geez, guys, they invented the zero for a reason. Use it.

I'm beginning to conclude that all the flex choices are a bad idea once you get used to the pressure, but they are a useful thing for the newbie.

Culby wrote:4 days in, and I'm still doing alright: My AHIs have gone from 3.8 on the first night to 3.6 the second, 5.0 on Monday Night, and 4.4 last night. But I had a bear of a time going to sleep last night, because I felt like I was slow-leaking. ...

I'm not saying the world is out to get you, but I do know it's not my turn to mess up the fit of your mask tonight!

It takes a while to get used to the mask. Shoot! I can honestly say that's still one of those things with which I continue to struggle. And I've been using an xPAP device for more than 20 years now!!!!

As long as you do not appear to be leaking (more than the intentional rate + and a tad bit more, due to normal leaks) you should be fine. And I did not see signs of HUGE leaks. But those leaks into the eyes or causing the cushion to squeal against your face ... Well, let's just say that the word "annoying" does NOT do the situation justice!

Hopefully you will adjust to using the mask and not notice it as much. But don't be surprised if it continues to be a bit of a nuisance. The good news is that the good sleep is well worth that nuisance.

Grr.

After putting the kid to bed, I broke out the tech's manual (laughing at the "PLEASE REMOVE THIS BEFORE GIVING TO PATIENT" note at the top) to get into the big-boy setup. And... before changing the C-Flex+ setting, I see that the Tech also locked down this silly "SYSTEM ONE Resistance" thing.... you know, the Resprionics setting on the Resprionics machine that pairs nicely with my Resprionics mask? Yeah.

So, in the grand tradition of "only change one thing at a time", I changed that setting. I'll do C-Flex+ tomorrow. I doubt it's going to make that much of a difference, but seeing as the machine is made to use this setting, I figure I'm going to set it.

UPDATE: Welp, I'm a big ol' dummy, and left my SD card in my computer last night. No data.

Not to bump my own thread, but it makes sense to put the update here.

Last night, after cleaning my equipment for the first time (and remembering to replace the SD Card...), I went in to turn on C-Flex+. Start on a setting of one, can't hurt, right?

And, for a while, it didn't. After a rough start where it registered about 5 OAs, we were smooth sailing for about 3 hours. Only a few Hyponeas and RAs, and one OA.

And then, 4AM, holy cow.


04:08:05 - 04:15:04

After that, a string of OAs, and another barrage of CAs at about 6AM.


05:56:59 - 06:07:20

(Update: Resized charts.)

So, I'm thinking I'm turning the C-Flex+ back off.

Culby wrote:And then, 4AM, holy cow.

Wonder if you happen to be worse (number of events) while in REM stage sleep? In the wee hours we have more REM. It is common for some people to have worse OSA in REM sleep as well as supine sleeping. Sleep study report would probably answer this question.

Culby wrote:After that, a string of OAs, and another barrage of CAs at about 6AM.

Was this close to wake up time?

Pugsy wrote:

Culby wrote:After that, a string of OAs, and another barrage of CAs at about 6AM.

Was this close to wake up time?

I was up at about 6:30a this morning, so close, but not super close.