[Equipment] C-Flex+ vs C-Flex?

[PaytonA]

I will put my $0.02 in. First I will tell you that I am a Resmed user but what I get from the way the difference is described is the following. The difference is purely the timing of the initiation of EPAP. The C-flex does not begin its reduction of pressure by 2 cm/H2O until the patient has initiated exhalation. The C-flex+ on the other hand begins the 2cm pressure reduction just at the end of the patients actual inhalation. This can be more comfortable for some and it only reduces the time at inhalation pressure by a little bit.

Best Regards,

PaytonA

[eseedhouse]

So, may I ask, what do people recommend?

Try them both and find out what works best for you.

[Want2SleepInMT]

So, may I ask, what do people recommend?

Try them both and find out what works best for you.

I disabled the flex for a while, as it wasn't quite timed right for my breathing.... It was a weird feeling with it being out of sync.

[archangle]

Flex/C-Flex/C-Flex+ is definitely one of the things you have to try and find out what works best for you.

[vsheline]

I think C-Flex+ (the Plus version) is the same as A-Flex.

I think both C-Flex+ and A-Flex include the original "flow based pressure reduction" of legacy C-Flex (the flow-based portion mostly goes away while we are trying to slowly finish the last bit of our exhale, and is completely gone during the natural pause after we stop actively exhaling but haven't yet started inhaling), plus an additional 2 cmH2O pressure reduction which starts with the beginning of exhalation and remains until inhalation actually begins.

Unlike C-Flex, when using C-Flex+ or A-Flex, the pressure will drop a little while we are tapering down actively inhaling, even though we may still be trying to slowly finish the last little bit of our inhalation. This pressure drop while we are not yet done inhaling is actually bothersome to a new user (but most people can get used to it, after which it is no longer bothersome to them) and is most noticeable when the setting for C-Flex+ or A-Flex is 3.

When using C-Flex+ or A-Flex, a Flex setting of 1 still gives us the full 2 cmH2O pressure relief during exhalation (lasting the full time of our exhale and pause, until we start actively inhaling), but with less "flow based" pressure drop toward the end of inhalation and during the beginning of exhalation.

Therefore, I think a C-Flex+ or A-Flex on a setting of 1 is pretty similar to ResMed EPR on a setting of 2.

With ResMed EPR on a setting of 2, the pressure drops 2 cmH2O as we start actively exhaling (lasting the full time of both our exhale and pause) until we start actively inhaling. Then the pressure smoothly and gradually rises to our normal IPAP pressure and stays at our full normal IPAP pressure until we start actively exhaling.

[wishicansleep]

Dear johnathonm. I agree with you, for me the noise and the pressure of ramping up and down was disturbing and I have turned the "gizmos off" - although I am at a lower pressure than you. The remstar "provider guide" has a good explanation of the two modes (i presume the dream station is the same). PM me if you want a copy.

[Sleeprider]

I think C-Flex+ (the Plus version) is the same as A-Flex.

I think both C-Flex+ and A-Flex include the original "flow based pressure reduction" of legacy C-Flex (the flow-based portion mostly goes away while we are trying to slowly finish the last bit of our exhale, and is completely gone during the natural pause after we stop actively exhaling but haven't yet started inhaling), plus an additional 2 cmH2O pressure reduction which starts with the beginning of exhalation and remains until inhalation actually begins.

I have improperly described Cflex and Aflex in the past as well. Starting with simple C-Flex, it is a flow-based pressure reduction, and the pressure reduction varies with the setting. The chart below comes from a PR document and indicates a pressure reduction of less than 1/2 cmH2O at a setting of 1 and a little over 2 cmH2O at a setting of 3.
[attachment=2184]
A-Flex varies the pressure and flow for both inhalation and exhale.

During exhalation, A-Flex provides variable expiratory pressure relief that is the same as our clinically proven C-Flex technology. During inhalation, A-Flex also provides inspiratory comfort that varies with the patient’s pressure level. The result is a pressure pattern that matches the patient’s entire breathing cycle. Like C-Flex, there are three patient-selectable A-Flex settings to make therapy more personal.

The descriptions in the patents and literature are very confusing, and it's very hard to get good information on Respironics Flex comfort settings as opposed to the very straight-forward bilevel relief of Resmed.

[kenmbz]

So,how did it work out without any comfort settings?
I never liked CPAP without as my original CPAP did not adjust for comfort.
Trying A-Flex now on my new machine, and then will try Cflex+ and Cflex to see which I prefer.
I figure a full week on each should be good.