1 year and still tired!

[Crimson Nape]

Scott,
I looks to me like your stats indicate that you are headed in the correct direction. Have you tried a flex setting of 3? If so, what did you experience?

[Scott C.]

"Scott,
I looks to me like your stats indicate that you are headed in the correct direction. Have you tried a flex setting of 3? If so, what did you experience?"

Crimson Nape- I used to have flex on 3 all the time. But I thought 3 was the easiest setting to be on when I first stated. Started dialing it back when I found this site and read the flex could be cause of high AHI  or at least contribute to it.
Am I wrong on this assumption?

[Sleeprider]

I think at low pressures, your flow limited breathing caused such irregularities in the respiratory flow, we thought Flex might be exacerbating the problem. Once your minimum pressure was over 10, Flex did not seem to make much difference. So comfort should guide you as to what is best. Your best results were on Auto at 10-15, and like all the other recent pressure experiments, you are only giving a 2-day trial to these changes. It's pretty hard to make a conclusion when you keep changing so frequently. About the only thing I can see in the summary statistics is that with pressure at 10 or more, your apnea is better than when pressure is lower. I don't see a trend for better results at higher pressures than 10-15 auto.

[Scott C.]

See post following post this was a repeat.

[Scott C.]

I think at low pressures, your flow limited breathing caused such irregularities in the respiratory flow, we thought Flex might be exacerbating the problem.  Once your minimum pressure was over 10, Flex did not seem to make much difference.  So comfort should guide you as to what is best.  Your best results were on Auto at 10-15, and like all the other recent pressure experiments, you are only giving a 2-day trial to these changes.  It's pretty hard to make a conclusion when you keep changing so frequently.  About the only thing I can see in the summary statistics is that with pressure at 10 or more, your apnea is better than when pressure is lower.  I don't see a trend for better results at higher pressures than 10-15 auto.

Yes I was impatient and in a hurry. I will finish the 4th night at min. = max. =12 Been trying to go more slowly with any chasnges.

Sleeprider, just to be clear you think I should go back to 10-15 for a few days and see what happens?

Thanks!

[quiescence at last]

Started dialing it back when I found this site and read the flex could be cause of high AHI  or at least contribute to it.
Am I wrong on this assumption?

Flex has been found to sometimes cause more CA (clear airway) events for some people, just as higher pressures seem to as well for these same people.  So, a reduction in flex is often mentioned to those struggling with CA.

I'm not sure you ever had a sensitivity, so you could try each to get the feeling/relief each one gives.

I would still be increasing the minimum pressure, thinking you are seeing a reduction of flow limitations on this current course.  I was guessing 12.5 might get you there.  I believe that you may get a better flow limitation score if you add to flex, and that is certainly worth trying.

three ideas occur to me, then. 1) stay right where you are, or 2) add flex where you are, or 3) bump up to 12.5/12.5.

QAL

[Crimson Nape]

Scott,
My idea probably is the least scientific and is very simplistic.  My thought is to find a pressure that is high enough to provide a backpressure to keep your airway open during exhale.  In your case it is around 11cm.  Then use a flex setting of 3.  Add this value (3) to your desired exhale pressure (11), which would put your set pressure at 14cm.  I view this as a "shade tree" bilevel.   I realize more experienced people disagree but I thought I would provide you with my thought process before bowing out.

- Red

[Scott C.]

Here is last nights chart I bumped up the flex to 2. Everything else is the same.
Couple questions,

"QAL"
What does flex do on the Dreamstation? Does the exhale get easier the higher the number?

"Crimson Nape"
 Can you explain more on the "pressure to keep airway open during exhale"? Which chart measures that?
Thanks for the info.

[Crimson Nape]

When using a pressure relief during exhale, if the pressure is too low it will allow your airway to collapse causing an OA.  The trick when using this feature is to determine what the minimum pressure value is that will keep your airway open.  The only place that I know where you could view this would be by expanding your Flow Rate and look at you OA's.

[Scott C.]

When using a pressure relief during exhale, if the pressure is too low it will allow your airway to collapse causing an OA.  The trick when using this feature is to determine what the minimum pressure value is that will keep your airway open.  The only place that I know where you could view this would be by expanding your Flow Rate and look at you OA's.

Am I wrong in thinking when using flex from 0 - 3.  Is 0 the hardest and 3 being the easiest? While exhaling.