Hello Guest, Welcome to Apnea Board !
As a guest, you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use.
To post a message, you must create a free account using a valid email address.

or Create an Account


New Posts   Today's Posts

Machine stops pushing air during inhalation cycle
#1
Machine stops pushing air during inhalation cycle
I'm still learning all the lingo and terms so bear with me as I try to explain this.

When I start using my CPAP for the evening, I'm quickly able to adjust/sync my breathing rate with the machine's (or the machine to mine, as it were). At the end of my exhalation cycle, the machine begins to blow air through my mask. However, I have noticed recently that it stops blowing air about 2/3 - 3/4 of the way through my inhalation cycle. In other words, as I'm inhaling, the air stops blowing before I have stopped inhaling.

Is this a function of the pressure setting? My setting is set at 6 by the sleep clinic, and in my first follow up (I've been on CPAP for approx. 4 weeks now), the doctor decided to keep my pressure at 6 for the next two months until my next follow up in March.

This is not really a big issue, it's not like it's keeping me awake (not yet), but I'm just wondering if there's a better way to ensure that the air continues to blow throughout the period that I am inhaling.

If the machine can sense my inhalation/exhalation cycles, then it should be able to sense the entire time I'm inhaling, correct?
Post Reply Post Reply
#2
RE: Machine stops pushing air during inhalation cycle
I believe this is part of the C-Flex function to create an environment of easing pressure as you begin the exhale. It draws conclusions based on your past flow, most recent breaths, not only the current breath.

As you relax and enter sleep, all things become more steady, and the expected exhale is nearer to exactly when you do exhale. So, ease your mind, during sleep the machine will not be "taking control".

by the way - you can see those times when your inhales and exhales are erratic in the sleepyhead charts, most prevalent by wide swings in tidal volume, signaling periods of wakefulness (or in some cases potentially REM sleep).
Dedicated to QALity sleep.
Post Reply Post Reply
#3
RE: Machine stops pushing air during inhalation cycle
I'm not really that familiar with the PR machines...
(So, take this with a grain of salt...)
My machine has a TImax setting. The Inhalation (IPAP time) is limited by TImax.
So, for me, if it were set too short, I would experience the same effect you describe.
Admin Note:
JustMongo passed away in August 2017
Click HERE to read his Memorial Thread

~ Rest in Peace ~
Post Reply Post Reply
#4
RE: Machine stops pushing air during inhalation cycle
Novatom, we need to know what machine you have. "C-Flex" isn't enough.

Take the water tank out, turn the machine over, and look for the label on the bottom where it says something like "REF 260P." Tell us what that says. Also tell us EVERYTHING it says on the top near the display.

It probably doesn't stop completely during inhale unless it's broken, but it may reduce the pressure. Try putting your hand in the air stream coming out the vents on your mask and see if it's still blowing.

If you turn off C-flex, or change the settings, it should reduce or eliminate this effect entirely.

JustMongo, none of the ones that say "C-Flex" have a TIMax setting. That's for bilevels, which would say "BiFlex."
Get the free OSCAR CPAP software here.
Useful links.
Click here for information on the main alternative to CPAP.
If it's midnight and a DME tells you it's dark outside, go and check it yourself.
Post Reply Post Reply
#5
RE: Machine stops pushing air during inhalation cycle
My machine is a 460 PR System One REMStar 60 Series Pro with C-Flex+

It's confusing because PR has a lot of variations of this machine, but that's what it says on the bottom (I added the C-Flex+, that's what it says on the top of the machine).
Post Reply Post Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Piecing together a deep cycle battery solution - solar and house power Crowleyal 6 179 11-29-2024, 06:30 PM
Last Post: Crowleyal
Exclaimation CPAP Machine Choices - read this before you accept a new machine SuperSleeper 305 284,456 10-28-2024, 07:30 PM
Last Post: ZacharySimon
  New machine vs. Old Machine - Same Model MrIvanDrago 1 253 10-10-2024, 08:20 AM
Last Post: Crimson Nape
  Dream Station Bi-Pap ASV stops mid sleep Jeffo1 3 218 08-26-2024, 05:58 PM
Last Post: SarcasticDave94
Sad Aircurve 10 VAUTO Not pushing Air! DFWdude 42 2,020 08-10-2024, 02:51 PM
Last Post: Jay51
  Can use ASV machine as Bipap S/T machine? soyjer 17 850 08-07-2024, 08:30 PM
Last Post: soyjer
  Choosing correct mask, Septum questions, Nasal Cycle beetee 19 1,026 07-17-2024, 09:46 AM
Last Post: TechieHippie


New Posts   Today's Posts


About Apnea Board

Apnea Board is an educational web site designed to empower Sleep Apnea patients.