EPR Setting

[txrpls]

I'm not sure I understand how EPR settings affect the other pressure setting on my machine. I am currently on level 2 and thinking about turning it off. If I understand correctly the lower the EPR setting the less "help" you get in exhaling? Is my assumption correct?
TIA.

[Ron AKA]

I'm not sure I understand how EPR settings affect the other pressure setting on my machine. I am currently on level 2 and thinking about turning it off. If I understand correctly the lower the EPR setting the less "help" you get in exhaling? Is my assumption correct?
TIA.

The subject seems to be somewhat controversial. I think your basic assumption is correct. Your best best to sort it out is to try it for yourself and see what happens. In fact I would suggest increasing it to 3 first for a few nights, see what that does, and then turn it off to then see what happens for another few days.

[Gideon]

EPR 101



set Pressure = IPAP/Inhale pressure = 8-16 (assuming 8, higher pressures will follow the same pattern)
EPR = 2
EPAP/Exhale pressure = IPAP - EPR = 8 -2 = 6

This is considered a comfort setting but it does have some therapeutic value.  

This makes it easier for some to exhale.  Therapeutically this acts similar to PS or Pressure Support on a BiPAP/BiLevel machine.  
EPAP manages Obstructive events (CPAP has only 1 pressure and IPAP = CPAP) Increasing IPAP helps Hypopneas.  When utilizing this capabilities we follow basic BiPAP/BiLevel titration protocols, the differences being on the autoset the settings are 0,1,2,or 3, on a BiPAP the intervals are smaller and they can go much higher.

So yes the lower your EPR the less "help" for exhaling.

Fred