Remstar Auto - Runaway Machine or Runaway Body?

I don't know what your situation is with your current machine--whether or not you bought it or are renting it, or have the option to try another one... But if you can, there are members of the forum who have found the PB420E (because it uses different algorithms) to work better for them and they don't experience runaway pressure. Or, if they do experience it on the 420E, there is an adjustment available (that is not offered on the REMstar Auto) that eliminates it.

But, you probably read this whole thread already and knew that!!! I wish Respironics would make upgrades, or change their algorithms, or at least offer the kind of adjustment Puritan Bennet does.... On the other hand, it is apparently a minority of us that have this runaway problem, so it probably isn't cost-efficient for them to change anything.

Respironics, are you listening?????

I was originally as guest. Went ahead and registered for this great forum!

I have the C-flex set at the highest pressure setting which is 1 I believe. I want to just eliminate to see if it causes the autopap to not runaway pressure.

If it doesn't fix the problem I will definitely turn it back on, because I love it!

Bottom line, runaway pressure or not - I feel much more rested with this unit than with prior ones I've used, maybe that's just due to the peace of mind of being able to check the report and see what's actually going on as far as apneas,etc., Instead of worrying if the labs, providers and doctors actually give a hoot, or have chosen the right settings.

I know exactly what you mean. I've been frustrated by runaway pressure, leaking masks and poor sleeping as I adjust to this whole process. So frustrated in fact, I wanted to stop trying. But since I've taken a proactive stance with the help of the software, it keeps me going. I've been able to set different pressure ranges over a period of several nights until I found the best level for me that resulted in the least amount of apnea events. Now I keep it there in CPAP w/CFlex mode. I will occasionally retest to make sure I'm still at the correct level.

It's so nice to know what's going on! I can't imagine doing this blindly. It's strange, isn't it? The sleep docs/equipment providers are adamant that we should NOT have the information the software provides and we should NOT have the ability to adjust our own pressure. It seems almost negligent, doesn't it?

It's like, "Yes, there's a thermometer, but you are not allowed to use it to take your own temperature. Yes, there's an aspirin, but you are not allowed to take it to alleviate the symptoms."

Weird.

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

While looking for something else, I came across this very interesting old topic. The reason I'm dredging it up again (no, it wasn't "spammed" up by posting this very belated response is....

Since this thread, there have been many more recent posts about the possible connection of GERD (acid reflux disease) causing problems with cpap/autopap/any kind of PAP treatment. Swollen, hard tissues (can happen when the throat gets a nightly acid bath) can't be pushed aside well by cpap pressurized air blowing in.

I'm not a doctor, but I really believe that quite a few people who do not get good treatment from their machines -- pressure runaways, or high AHI's no matter how the pressure is set -- may have an underlying condition of GERD interfering with getting effective cpap treatment.

There is such a thing as "Silent GERD" in which the person has no overt symptoms of "heartburn" and never suspects that acid is creeping up during the night when they are laying down asleep. Also, people who have ever been diagnosed with acid reflux may have stopped treating it when the symptoms subsided, or be undertreating it.

With a PB 420E autopap, if turning off IFL1 doesn't stop pressure runaway immediately, then I'd be looking at the possibility of GERD. With any other brands of autopaps that do a "runaway" and there's not an obvious reason for the pressure rising like humidifier tank overfilled, a loose connection, a massive air leak -- I'd get a thorough checkup looking for possible GERD.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 080008.htm
"All patients with sleep apnea should be evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux," said J. Barry O'Connor, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center, one of the investigators.

Nov 05, 2005 subject: SUCCESS AT LAST-GERD,420E, PRILOSEC AND BENADRYL loonlvr's saga with runaway pressure and high AHI's

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/516189

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/topics/GERD.cfm

http://www.grandtimes.com/GERD.html

rested gal wrote:While looking for something else, I came across this very interesting old topic. The reason I'm dredging it up again (no, it wasn't "spammed" up by posting this very belated response is....

Since this thread, there have been many more recent posts about the possible connection of GERD (acid reflux disease) causing problems with cpap/autopap/any kind of PAP treatment. Swollen, hard tissues (can happen when the throat gets a nightly acid bath) can't be pushed aside well by cpap pressurized air blowing in.

I'm not a doctor, but I really believe that quite a few people who do not get good treatment from their machines -- pressure runaways, or high AHI's no matter how the pressure is set -- may have an underlying condition of GERD interfering with getting effective cpap treatment.

There is such a thing as "Silent GERD" in which the person has no overt symptoms of "heartburn" and never suspects that acid is creeping up during the night when they are laying down asleep. Also, people who have ever been diagnosed with acid reflux may have stopped treating it when the symptoms subsided, or be undertreating it.

With a PB 420E autopap, if turning off IFL1 doesn't stop pressure runaway immediately, then I'd be looking at the possibility of GERD. With any other brands of autopaps that do a "runaway" and there's not an obvious reason for the pressure rising like humidifier tank overfilled, a loose connection, a massive air leak -- I'd get a thorough checkup looking for possible GERD.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 080008.htm
"All patients with sleep apnea should be evaluated for gastroesophageal reflux," said J. Barry O'Connor, M.D., of Duke University Medical Center, one of the investigators.

Nov 05, 2005 subject: SUCCESS AT LAST-GERD,420E, PRILOSEC AND BENADRYL loonlvr's saga with runaway pressure and high AHI's

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/516189

http://www.entnet.org/healthinfo/topics/GERD.cfm

http://www.grandtimes.com/GERD.html

I think this goes back to the chicken or egg theory. I used to go to a GI specialist, was put on PrevAcid acid pump inhibitor for nearly a year, it didn't cure anything and as soon as I was off it it came back. I remember going in for my GI endoscopy to examine my LES. I was on Plavix and aspirin because I was having a TIA once a week had already one stroke, so the GI doc says well you need to stop with the Plavix and Aspirin for 10 days so we can stick our scope down your throat and look at your LES. I laughed I said can you guarantee me I won't have another stroke and/or become crippled while you are looking at my LES with your scope? I said now what happens if I stay on the Plavix and Aspirin while you look at my LES, he said well there is a slight chance you will bleed if we need to do a biopsy. I said will I die from that bleed? He finally admits I was right and he could always stop any bleeding with the laser by cauterizing the bleed area.

But the point is, they had NO cure for GERD back then nor do they today, all they can do is turn off your acid making ability which then puts you at risk of bacterial infections.

So I go back and ask, did Caveman have GERD? I haven't seen where they did, cause they slept most likely sitting up, yet we in our society sleep completely flat. Have a little OSA, gasp for air during the breathing recovery and you suck up stomach fluids into the airway, from laying flat. I think one should try sleeping more like Caveman did, not necessarily on a rock or sitting up, but inclined at the head.

That is why I think a Reverse Trendelenburg bed position is best suited for this purpose, without medication.

Of course, trying each machine is your best option...but imho anyone, on any given nite, with snoring, congestion, post nasal drip and a multitude of other breathing equations with snores added can have runaway pressure on any auto machine... I started with a resmed Vantage auto, had many various problems, 2 complete sleep studies, was titrated both time at 9 pressure, and was told "You do not need auto or c/flex.......Facial swelling so bad it took 13 hours or more to go back to normal........Long story short. I bit the bullet......bought the remstar auto w/c-flex.. best sleep ever,,,,,,i keep the settings tight as rested gal has been a godsend with her advice.........best ahi's ever, best sleep ever and swelling gone........So sometimes some of us have to use the trial and error method........I believe, contrary to most posters. that I am "pressure sensitive" and the c-flex makes breathing out makes it easier on the nasal cavity and connected passageways....therefore the swelling is almost nonexistent........again IMHO Just my 2 cents.