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+--- Thread: [Pressure] C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex (/Thread-Pressure-C-Flex-C-Flex-or-A-Flex)
C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - lobo405 - 12-19-2020
Yesterday I received my new Dreamstation after using for almost 10 years a Resmed System One.
The previous machine I had, I changed myself (with info from this side about clinical set-up) C-Flex into C-Flex+ setting 2.
That setting was best for me as other settings gave me a panic feeling during the first about 5 to 10 minutes as the System One and I seemed not to synchronize breathing.
This also happened after smaller brakes during the night.
Now this Dreamstation again is set to just C-Flex, so I want to change it as well to C-Flex+ and I think I can do this with the info I downloaded from here.
But! Some questions came up.
First I do like to know what the A-Flex setting means.
Is this a setting like C-Flex or C-Flex+ one can use forever, or is it just a setting to find out the best pressure and after a testing period one needs to go to normal C-Flex+ using these settings.
A second question is about snoring.
In the manual I read that if one still snores when one uses a CPAP, you need to contact a doctor again to see if another pressure is needed.
So if someone can answer these two questions that would be great and thanks for that.
Bob
RE: C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - Dawnstar - 12-19-2020
I have a DreamStation Auto CPAP, and I’ve mostly used the Aflex settings, preferring a setting of 1 normally (minimal pressure relief), but when I’m congested or sick, switch to 2 or 3 (more pressure relief). The few times I tried Cflex it seemed much less responsive to my breathing. I don’t think I ever tried Cflex+, but suspect it’s somewhere in between.
I’d just try it and see.
PS. You should update your profile settings to show your current hardware and settings.
RE: C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - lobo405 - 12-19-2020
Thanks, I will try.
C-Flex is terrible for me.
I wondered why I had such a problem breathing normal at start that I first wanted to grab back my RemStar.
Until this morning I noticed that the Dreamstation was set to C-Flex
So I hope this night will be better after I chenged into C-Flex+.
And yes C-Flex+ is more reponsive I noticed, so I will see.
Tomorrow I can try A-Flex to see what that does.
Monday they pick up my "old" RemStar Pro System One.
I asked if I could buy it as spare on vacation (caravan), but they asked a couple of hundred euro for such an old machine
No way.
About my profile.
I know, but I have to figure out how to change it, did not yet find how to do this.
Just changed it
RE: C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - Sleeprider - 12-19-2020
The way the different Flex pressure relief algorithms work is described in the A-Flexwiki. Also see[url=http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php/C-Flex] C-Flex
A-Flex is the same as C-Flex+ but used with the auto-adjusting pressure in the Auto CPAP. The C-Flex algorithms are both used in fixed pressure mode, but are available in auto pressure. The choice of what to select is intended to be based on individual comfort and preference. Personally, I think the Resmed exhale pressure relief (EPR) is far more comfortable and acts as a true bilevel with separate inhale and exhale pressure channels, rather than a temporary reduction of pressure that returns to CPAP pressure before exhale is complete.
RE: C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - SideSleeper - 12-19-2020
When I had my Phillips 560 I remembered this way: A-Flex=APAP, C-Flex=CPAP. I think that was in the manual.
RE: C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - lobo405 - 12-20-2020
Thank you for explaining. The thing is I just received my new CPAP and to get a complete new unit again, especially with a total different method (EPR as you say), I don't think will be accepted. For that I think I have to consult a specialist again and this is not what I like to do in this idiot corona world.
Last night I tried A-Ppa (the auto method) and that felt much better. The last about 6or 7 yeras I already chenged (I did it myself) from C-Flex to C-Flex+ and that already was an improvement. As told, this unit again was set to C-Flex and caused problems breathing during the first minutes after every start.
Let's see whta the next days bring.
RE: C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - Sleeprider - 12-20-2020
Just to clarify, the choice of a machine is easier to make before you accept one from your supplier. Many will tell you they are the same, but they really are not. Also Philips Respironics has a very aggressive marketing scheme where DMEs accept an "exclusive" sales agreement and cannot sell competing brands, in exchange for better pricing. In the end, the Philips Respironics machines cost your supplier less than Resmed and that profit incentive means you will get the cheaper machine if you don't strongly express a preference before taking delivery. Just for comparison, Resmed machines use "Easybreathe™" to shape the pressure changes. It is real bilevel pressure that does not rise until inhale begins. The image below is from one of my OSCAR charts, and if you look at the blue Mask Pressure line, you can see how pressure changes from inhale to exhale compared to the respiratory flow-rate chart. The Resmed CPAP does the same with EPR.
RE: C-Flex , C-Flex+ or A-Flex - lobo405 - 12-23-2020
Thank you Sleeprider for all the info.
It was not a good idea in my opinion to switch to a complete other model, so to Resmed Airsense 10, not yet.
I did some testing the last days (ok nights) and finally noticed that the C-Flex+ worked best for me.
At the moment I started using it the AHI went back to below 1, last night 0,4, while in the other modes it was close to 4.
So C-Flex+ with 2 as setting works best for me.
Thanks for all info and I hope that these values will stay under 1.
A healthy, nice and peacefull X-mas and a much better 2021 to all
Bob