Pressure Question: Need Your Input

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:35 pm

I had a Remstar Plus w/C-flex for 2 weeks and exchanged it for an auto. The only one my DME said she had in stock was an s8 Autoset Vantage even though I asked for a Remstar Auto. Fine.

On the cpap my pressure setting was 13 but towards the end of the two weeks my wife started to hear me snore. Once I got the APAP it was set for 8 to 17. I've noticed it go up to 17.0 a couple of nights a week and one night it went up to 17.2 (Which is interesting considering the max # is 17!) It's never been below 15.4 yet. Does this start to lead you to believe that I really needed a 16 or 17 all along if I was still using CPAP instead of APAP?

Also, some here have said that a BI-PAP is needed for people 15 and above. I'm not sure this rule is cut in stone. But why do people need a BI-PAP as opposed to a APAP?

oldgearhead · Post by **oldgearhead** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:48 pm

Rasterman,
BiPAPs can be set for 2 pressures, one for inhale and another for exhale. They provide more exhale relief than can be obtained with C-Flex. Also
the transition timing between exhale and inhale can be fine tuned to the users needs..

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:15 pm

But at what point would one be prescribed?

If you had trouble working with C-flex or EPR? What if you have no trouble falling asleep to non-c-flex/non-epr?? Not needed? And while we're on that subject, obviously C-flex is more comfortable than without it in any mode but if you're not irritated in some way by it missing, then it's not really needed is it? Ie. Just a plus but not really necessary if it's not bugging you.

wading thru the muck! · Post by **wading thru the muck!** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:54 pm

Rastaman wrote:But at what point would one be prescribed?

If and when you can't tolerate a cpap. The effect of a Bipap is like c-flex only better. If you and your Doc decide you need a Bipap it is likely you will need a new sleep study to titrate you on the Bipap. BTW Respironics makes a auto adjusting Bipap that may allow you to bi-pass the second sleep study. Realize that the cost of a Bipap is three to four times the cost of a cpap, so it will take some convincing of your Doc/Insurance Co.

Rastaman · Post by **Rastaman** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 9:08 pm

Okay, cool. I don't even really seem to miss C-flex too much. I mean it was nice but I might've turned that feature off. I didn't have it long enough and after a week and a half on APAP, which in itself is different from CPAP in pressure alone, I can't really say there was a big difference. It seems comfort related more than anything. Not necessity. Just preference.

I wonder now which manufacturer does it's job better when you take C-flex out of the equation? Which gives better results? Or do they both do the job about the same even though they do it slightly differently?

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 9:38 pm

C-Flex, is the main part of the equation, It's divided into to groups, the haves, and the have nots. Count me in the haves. Jim

RedThunder94 · Post by **RedThunder94** » Sun Jun 18, 2006 11:29 pm

same here.