Finally relief, I had to turn off C-Flex (it didn't work for me) and go to straight CPAP. Apparently, the rythym of C-Flex did not match my breathing rythym at times, and in the middle of the night, I'd wake up in a panic, finding myself suffocating, or out of breath! ripping the mask off, and going back to sleep without it. I went through 2 new machines thinking they were defective, before I found out what the issue was, by experimenting with the settings. I like the CPAP constantly blowing fresh air at me, so I can breathe, never feeling the machine is in exhale mode at the wrong time (as in C-Flex mode) when I need air, and limiting my breathing. Besides, I found that in CPAP mode, the equipment is made to provide some breathing relief as it is. Being older, and a smoker, my lungs are not the best, and I also found that, I need just a little bit of exhalation resistance that CPAP gives me, or if it is too little (as with C-Flex) my breathing rythym goes out of synch, and I start to hyperventilate, causing the issues I previously described. CPAP to me, means there is a constant, uninterrupted, supply of fresh air. It has been 3 wks now, and all seems to be Fine this way. I don't dread going to bed anymore. Maybe this would help some of you as well? Good luck, Mike

By the way, it did seem to work better turning off the ramp function completely, as well (I never needed to use it from Day one anyway   )


_________________
Remstar M series Plus with C-flex & heated humidfier
Ultra Mirage Full Face
Ultra Mirage 11 Nasal

It is good that you posted this.  Many people give up on the treatment when their problem is not with the treatment itself but the features that are there for 'patient comfort" and do not need to be used.

 I am a full pressure junkie...though I do now use the BiLevel..but I beleive the A-flex and BiFlex follow your natural rhythm and the CFlex does not (I may have the A and the C mixed up here).  My Bilevel also follows the natural rhythm so it is 'less' intrusive.


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

I'm a second week newby at CPAP and can relate to your comment about turning off the ramp.  I'm at a pressure of 19 and I would always fall asleep before the pressure finished ramping up.  As the pressure increased the mask would invariably shift because the seal hadn't fully inflated taking up the slack in the head gear yet.  At that point the mask would suddenly start gushing air in some random direction under the seal, startaling me awake.  I'd adjust my mask at full pressure, but then I'd have a hard time falling back to sleep.

After three days of that I decided to turn off the ramp and adjust my mask at full pressure at the very start.  I found I had no trouble exhaling after I laid back and relaxed.  I've left the ramp feature off ever since.

SleepyDragon

Equipment:  ResMed VPAP III w/ Respironics ComfortGel full fase mask

I turned off the C-flex on my machine a few weeks ago, and my AHI dropped from an average of about 4.5 to 3.5.  I don't have any problem with exhalation, so I'm sticking with it.

I only have 2 nights on the hose. The first night I had my Resmed Autoset II on EPR 3, the second night on 1. Huge difference in noise, pressure changes, rhythm and comfort. Also AHI went from 5+ to barely over 2. Will try EPR 0 next. I think it could be even more important for those of us on lower pressure. My titrated pressure is 8, but the CPAP is set to minimum of 6, so if I am coasting along at 6 and the EPR reduces the exhale pressure by 3 the pressure is half what it was (6-3=50% reduction). But then when I inhale it goes from 3 to 6 which is a 100% increase in pressure! Yikes! No wonder why it was so uncomfortable!

Mrs Rip Van Winkle wrote:

It is good that you posted this.  Many people give up on the treatment when their problem is not with the treatment itself but the features that are there for 'patient comfort" and do not need to be used.

 I am a full pressure junkie...though I do now use the BiLevel..but I beleive the A-flex and BiFlex follow your natural rhythm and the CFlex does not (I may have the A and the C mixed up here).  My Bilevel also follows the natural rhythm so it is 'less' intrusive.

Yes, Thanks Mrs RVW, I posted this so that newbies, or anyone suffering, should not get discouraged, and give up on this treatment, without at least giving this a try first! It is too important for good health to give up on this therapy. After trying 3 new machines, and having much frustration getting this to work, I was ready to toss it all out the window!   Or, just return it all as a bad idea    Then I finally decided not to let it beat me, because of the health benefits, and persevered until I got to a comfortable spot  

If I had to add anything, I'd say, if it's not working for you, then try different settings, (but carefully) or have your Dr. or DME do it for you


_________________
Remstar M series Plus with C-flex & heated humidfier
Ultra Mirage Full Face
Ultra Mirage 11 Nasal