Did I make a Mistake with Air Sense 10 for Her?

Ok, so I got the Air Sense 10 for Her in the mail today and I am having trouble with the breathing/lungs part, not mask.
My S-9 machine was set at 11-20 pressure, NO RAMP, and EPR 3.

It was set at the internet company on Air Sense 10-For Her on 11-20, Ramp (I took it off, doctor's prescription said NO RAMP which I was used to NO RAMP from the S-9 Machine) and EPR 3. It was also set on AutoSet for Her. I tried it in my kitchen and I could barely catch my breathe. It seemed like I wasn't in "cinque" with the breathing. I took it off EPR 3 and put it to 2, and still the same. I changed it to 1 and it was a little better. I even experimented and took the EPR off totally and that was very bad. I am not sure if it is an EPR problem I am having or should I set it on AutoSet and NOT For her? Maybe I breathe more like a man, even though I am a female? I am confused; not sure if this is an EPR problem or Autoset "For Her" problem. I cannot use it tonight. Can someone please help? Thank you very kindly.

I have used the S9 for 4 years at 11/14. I had the opportunity to use an S10 for a couple nights at the same pressure...No difference. Check to make sure the machine was set to "auto" and not "for her". There is a suttle difference.

The auto and auto for her setting only apply when the machine is trying to correct a breathing defect when sleeping, so I don't think that's it. OP did you change masks by any chance? I know when I first tried the Resmed P10 it felt like I could not get anywhere near enough air, and in anticipation of not getting enough air I sort of panicked and said no way to that mask. Turns out it was all in my head, not the nose and that is not an issue for me and that mask. There is a slight possibiity that your new machine is defective but that's really unlikely. I would try to duplicate your S9 settings and give it a try for the night. It may surprise you.

Thank you TA Smart:
No, I did not change masks, still the same mask. I feel that it is harder to breathe (lung capacity wise) through the Air Sense Auto Set for Her. It is set "For Her."
So I should duplicate the S-9 and set the EPR up to 3 and change it to Auto Set? And take off the AutoSet for Her?

That is what I would do. It should feel the same with the same settings, the auto programs kick in when they sense flow limitations, snores, and hypopneas when you are sleeping. There should be no pressure adjustments while you sit there awake with the mask on and the machine running. There should be a noticable drop in pressure for exhale.

Thank you TA Smart: I am really disappointed. I could hardly breath (nose pillows mask fine) when I was trying it out in my kitchen. The EPR of 3 was making my breathing fast and shallow, which is what I normally have kept my S-9 machine on. There is no way I could sleep with that. I changed the EPR to 1 and that doesn't feel very comfortable either. I guess tomorrow night I will take the setting off "For Her" and put it on plain autoset and EPR 3. I hope this helps. I felt like I had to breath faster to keep up with the machine at AutoSet for Her and EPR of 3. What do most people keep their EPR's at? I know that is subjective.

TYhe EPR is a reduction of pressure during the exhale cycle. It is concerning to me that you feel like the machine is functioning as a respirator. It's not and its function is to pressurize your airway, with the EPR it pressurizes less on exhale. It does not try to force a volume in/out and it does not do anything to speed or slow respiration. So I don't know what the issue is with your feeling like it's trying to force your respiratory rate - that's not what it is designed to do.

Luthie2006 wrote:Thank you TA Smart:
No, I did not change masks, still the same mask. I feel that it is harder to breathe (lung capacity wise) through the Air Sense Auto Set for Her. It is set "For Her."
So I should duplicate the S-9 and set the EPR up to 3 and change it to Auto Set? And take off the AutoSet for Her?

Are your hose and mask settings correct on the new machine, (if you're not using a heated hose)?

I am using a heated hose. The climate Line hose is at a setting of 4, humidity 76 (I didn't sleep with it yet and won't tonight) I felt like I was "fighting it" at the kitchen table trying to "catch up with" breathing with the machine. My S-9 machine is at EPR 3, pressure 11-20, no ramp. At EPR of 3 on the new machine I was having very shallow quick breathing. Something is telling me (and I can't test it out again until tomorrow) that I should change the settings on the machine to mimic my S-9.... Take it off Autoset For Her, and try the EPR again up to 3 (even though 3 was terribly uncomfortable for me at the kitchen table). Oh, no, I so looked forward to this birthday present. I hope it is not a mistake.
Does everyone use an EPR setting and what usually is the pressure? 1, 2, 3?

Couple of things... the first is that you can't validly test anything on the machine while awake as your breathing pattern is very diff. to that when you're asleep. Second is that I wonder where you live that you feel the need to even attach the hose now... as it's pretty warm to begin with and it could dry you out, never mind be too hot. Everyone does NOT use EPR by a long shot, only when they feel the need of a little relief from exhalation pressure but how much you need (if and when) is so personal... there's no way to know if you match others on the setting and not much point in trying to find out - you need what you need (or not). Last thing is that you are not supposed to even try to match your breathing to what you think the machine wants... it works the other way around (hence the optional heat, settings, etc. You need to 'forget' the machine (I know, I know ) and just breathe normally or you will confuse both of you.

Thank you Julie &* others: I have used CPAP (Res Med S-9) and Air Fit Pillows for over 3 years now. My boyfriend suggested updating my machine for me with the Air Sense 10 for Her. I know Chicago Granny mentioned why get another one if the old one works? I had been having minor issues with a "trickling" humidifier on the S-9. My insurance will be ending this January, so that is why I thought it would be a great idea. For the life of me, with clinician's settings, at my kitchen table adjusting settings, I felt a constant struggle to breath (chest). The company put it on the right pressure according to the doctor, but did not do anything else correct. Doctor wrote NO RAMP and of course, they left it on. He wrote, EPR of 3, and of course they had it set at 2. So I sure as heck did/do not want to use it at night when I was struggling to breath at the kitchen table. It was very expensive (out of pocket) Unfortunately he did not buy it on our wonderful site, CPAP.com, but another site he said called 1-800-CPAP. There is no return once it is opened. I will try again at the kitchen table maybe setting it to AUTOSET (not for her) and try to change the EPR's again. I just don't know what I am doing wrong if anything? It is totally different than my S-9 for me and very disappointed. My BF would be really mad (and rightfully so) if I threw it into the linen closet after he just paid over $800 for it, and I would like to use it.
There's not too many settings left to "experiment with" today, but I will try again.... I hope I was not sold a "lemon." It did say 0 hours of usage, so not used. Has this ever happened to anyone?

Luthie - stop trying to test anything while awake! You won't get useful results at all as your breathing when asleep is very different to how you breathe when awake. Don't do it and expect anything meaningful. And only ever change one thing at a time so you can evaluate what's causing the problems, otherwise you'll never figure it out. Have a little patience or you won't get it working.

mountains out of molehills.

Set the machine up with the same settings, and *USE IT IN THE BEDROOM AS NORMAL*

Hi Luthie,
I am a Autoset 10 user and will be getting a "for Her" version in a few days, so I will be sure to report in to you.

One question I have is, do you have any chemical sensitivities at all? If you are now using a new machine esp w new hosing, the plastic offgassing could be irritating your lungs??

I would suggest you try it again while horizontal and relaxed, and pay special attention to whether you are experiencing interference with your inhalation or your exhalation. I know this is different from what you are going through, but just as an example, I realized when I really tuned in to why I was having problems with the Dreamstation, it was because it was interfering with my exhalation due to the "pressure pulses" being too strong.

If settings of EPR3 worked for you on your old machine but now you feel like it interferes w your exhalation too much, well there must be something different about the actual pressure that you are getting, I would think (mask & tubing being the same). Do old CPAPs lose their umph?? Anyone know? Or is it an all or nothing thing, like either it works at the pressure or it doesnt. I don't know.

Is there a reason you are not supposed to use the ramp feature? Sounds like you could benefit from that - unless your medical professionals had a good reason to tell you "no ramp". It is worth asking.

I use EPR set to 3. I took it off "for her" and set it to regular apap because "for her" won't raise the pressure above 13 and I need the pressure to be able to go higher. Regular apap can go up to 20 if that's where you have max pressure set. I would find it difficult to breathe if my machine started out at 11. I use the ramp set on "automatic" rather than timed and start the ramp at a pressure I got used to over the course of a couple of years (7.6).