(08-03-2020, 12:58 AM)struts Wrote: - is AutoEPAP the only feature of the ASVAuto mode ?
- is AutoEPAP only used to deal with the obstructive SA?
 From the brochure, the device will by default stay at the min EPAP and will only increae when OSA event is detected, and when the OSA event is gone, it will return to the min EPAP. Is that how it works ?
- is the dynamic IPAP (i.e. PS) used to treat the CSA ?  

- Does AirCurve 10 ASV match the pattern in realtime based on data from each session, disregarding the previous sessions ?

(08-04-2020, 05:33 PM)struts Wrote: - Do you guys directly change the setting through the clinical menu ? I have the impression that the patients are not supposed to have access to the clinical menu and especially not supposed to make those pressure change.
I'm 100% out of pocket and have zero support from Kaiser other than initial testing, evaluation and prescription for my ASV with basic settings. I'm now on my own with my personally purchased machine. So I tweak my settings for best results. Now I can tell a difference with a small 0.1 cm change if I need it. But as to your question, it is my understanding that there may be negative consequences with your HMO, sleep doctor, etc, if you are under their care, and you change settings in the clinical menu. Some can talk their way out of problems when the doctors find out that the patient knows what they are talking about and justifying the changes they have made (with or without mentioning the Apnea Board). Some doctors are receptive and reasonable, but some get P*ssed off when the patients know more than the doctors do.

- Raybee, your comment " your best gage of efficacy is how you feel during the day assuming you get a restful nights sleep while in therapy.  Don't get obsessed with the ever elusive 0 AHI.  Efficacy is much more than just a number."

I always thought AHI=0 is the ultimate target, how is your experience of the day time feeling and the AHI you got ?
My "raw" AHI numbers are usually between 4 and 10. My "real" AHI numbers after discounting the SWJ (Sleep Wake Junk - search the AB for more on this) is about 1 to 3. Well within normal operating parameters as Commander Data might put it. For me, it's kind of a slow rise and fall when something goes South. I can go three to four nights with no ASV therapy and only after that, my daytime energy starts to decline - along with other sleep apnea symptoms. Then another two or three days on the ASV brings my daytime energy and feeling-well back to my new ASV-normal. When I started my journey, it seemed that it took about a year for me to really realize the benefits of therapy. No fault of the machine, but attributed to my journey as a novice and eventually learning what settings worked best for me, what mask works best, and basically every detail as it relates to sleep and ASV therapy. Another lag in feeling better was probably due to the years of damage to my health in so many ways attributed to my complex apnea. It seemed to take a year for my body to heal and adjust. But I'm living the dream now as a graduating student of hose-head-ology. It was a seemingly long journey, but worth every minute. Now I am reaping the rewards of consistent and effective therapy. My recommendation would be to take the bull by the horns and never give up. Only look back to realize how far you have come and the benchmarks you achieve.

- "I have to make my adjustments so max EPAP + max PS does not exceed 17."
Do you adjust the max EPAP or the max PS ?
For me, it seemed that adjusting EPAP was dictated more by the search for best personal comfort. Too low or too high of a range resulted in an unnatural struggle to inhale or exhale. I adjusted min and max PS more as a result of my AHI numbers, clean waveforms in OSCAR, and avoiding aerophagia. I seemed to do best by finding my optimum EPAP settings and then adjust the PS secondarily. Also for comfort, I had the ramp set to "off" for a long time, but realized I could fall asleep much quicker with having it "on" and 5 minutes. And I set the pressures to eliminate any feeling of struggling while breathing. Then I am calm and that results in getting to sleep much quicker which adds to my quality of sleep and length of therapy. 

- About the Smart Start setting, sometimes, I found it starting too soon while I was fitting my mask, but I found it quite handy when I took off the mask, it stopped automatically. What are your experience with Smart Start ?
I absolutely love Smart Start. I like the way it senses my breathing and starts automatically. And I reach over and tap the power button if I need to get up in the dead of night which turns it off. That way the few seconds of a PAP hurricane doesn't wake up my wife. She says she doesn't even hear my ASV machine.