auto cpap vs regular cpap machines

I am using a remstarpro m series with c-flex and currently not sleeping well and am starting to mess with pressures to get it to decrease AHI and make me feel better. What is the benifit of the auto machines vs the one I have? Any draw backs to the auto machine. The doctor said he would order whatever I want. At sleep study the pressure was 7 and I did ok but not doing well now at home.
Jen

an apap can be run in straight cpap mode - in other words with an apap you have an expanded option

Go for an Apap & if you can, get them to get it from cpap.com if at all possible - it is they who are hosting this wonderful forum help service.

Cheers

DSM

Jen,
I started unsuccessfully with a cpap - no data, no c-flex. Went to an auto to find my needed pressure. Used the auto for a long time, but I'm currently using straight cpap at my doctor's suggestion to see if changing pressures were contributing to my frequent awakenings.

What you are doing will get you to where you want to be, but it will be more trial and error and may take longer. With an autopap you will get therapeutic pressure without so much guessing, and will be able to identify what pressure you would need if you go back to straight cpap.

Can you give a little more detail on what you mean by "not doing well now"? How much is your AHI running at a pressure of 7? How's you leak rate and could you be mouth breathing? I'm all for getting the most options one is able get. Just don't want you to be disappointed if it isn't the magic bullet. If finding your needed pressure is your issue, an auto will be helpful.

Benefits of an Auto (aka APAP):

You can run it in a variety of modes, including straight CPAP

You can get more data from it

You can get 7 different types of exhalation relief from it, vs. the 4 you get with your Pro

You can run self-titration studies on yourself

You can tweak the machine to do exactly what YOU want, in order to get optimum therapy

It's the best you can get, aside from a BiPAP, and I would say those are for special cases. Have you discussed a BiPAP with your doc?

Cheers,
Babs

I am averaging a AHI of 7.7 with minimal leak. Feel tired...fall to sleep driving, in the shower, etc. I have already been talking with some people on this forum about adjusting my pressures...the dme company was not too happy with me adjusting it but, my doctor pretty much says do whatever I need to do to get good results. I am a mouth breather...I have a ffm.

GOT SOFTWARE?

I never try to dissuade people from getting an Auto.....however, having the software to interpret the data is a "must" in my opinion.....especially with an Auto. Some problems on CPAP can be made worse with an Auto/APAP, and until you can diagnose what is causing those problems, your therapy will suffer or at least will not be at an optimum level. Leaks and snores can drive an APAP crazy with pressure changes.

Den

I agree with everything Den said.

O.

ozij wrote:I agree with everything Den said.

O.

Yup, I do , too.

Jules wrote:an apap can be run in straight cpap mode - in other words with an apap you have an expanded option

Right. You can always turn off "auto" if you find that straight cpap suits you better.