NEW REMSTAR AUTO WITH C-FLEX

I just bought a new REMSTAR AUTO WITH C-FLEX machine and an Ultra Mirage face mask which I paid for MYSELF. I had a sleep study done in the early 1990's and was disgnosed with Sleep Apnea where I stopped breathing once for 30 seconds. Apparently that is a long time I remember the Doctor telling my my pressure setting was 7 at the time. I'm trying the set up this new machine and not sure how to set the pressure. Should I keep it at 7 or make it higher. If the Auto CFLEX adjusts itself to your needs then why do I have to set it at all?
Also am considering LAUP surgery if this thing doesn't help. Any suggestions on this.

This is my first post!

I have mine set between 6 and 20 and it works great for me.

Mine is set between 9/13

Get the software and card reader to monitor your treatment and then you can narrow the range.

My AHI is 106 untreated and 1 - .05 treated so I would say I have it nailed down pretty good.

Finding the right mask is the REAL challenge!

[b]So 6 would be the lowest setting and 20 the highest.
That seems pretty high. So if I'm understand you correctly you've given the machine a range of 6 ,being the lowest, anf 20 ,being the highest,and the Remstar Auto with C-flex can tell{within that range} what you need. That doesn't mean that the pressure is at 20 all the time does it? Is this a trial and error thing for most people[/b]

I usually end up at a pressure of 7 or 8 with a nasal mask and a pressure of 11-13 with a full face mask. The machine shouldn't give you more pressure than you need. It's called auto for a reason. It automatically titrates and adjusts pressure to your needs throughout the night.

I can see raising the lower pressure but I'm not sure of the need to set a high pressure. I've talked with my Respironics sales rep about this and he doesn't know why people would liimit the high pressure either. If I need 20, I want the machine to give me 20. So far I haven't gone higher than 13.

I would recommend that you read some posts from Nighthawkeye and Brent Hutto particularly (and many others). They have a very in depth knowledge of self titration (determining required pressure) and aticulate it quite well.

Essentially you need to determine your current required pressure using your APAP and you can not do this without the software and card reader. You need to review your sleep statistics, each morning or so, to determine how your treatment is progressing so you will be wanting to look at frequency of Apneas, Hypopneas and flow limitations. You will also be wanting to monitor your leak rate to make sure your mask is not giving you problems (besides comfort issues of which there may be many). This analysis will give your your 90% pressure level and your AHI (Apnea/Hypopnea Index). At this point there is a divergence of opinion as to the best way to treat your OSA using an Auto. Some folks set a wide range between low and high pressure, like DME_Guy, others set a narrow range +3/-3 around 90% pressure and let the machine cycle there. You will have to read some of the posts and make up your own mind as to what will work best for you. My own opinion falls in the +3/-3 camp.

I hope this helps.

David