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I know that TF swears by EPR but what I would like to know is does it make that much difference to the readings? I know there are 3 different settings on some machine and also setting for EPR to stop when an event happens but I cant see any benefit to my OSA other than just a comfort setting or am I wrong in my assumptions.
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I thought it was a comfort setting, my old machine had it and it was good, this new one doesn't and there is a difference but you do get used to either.
I guess it is what you are given to begin with that sets the scene for later machines.APAP: F & P Iconaax auto
Masks: Resmed Swift FX, Sleep Weaver, Mirage Liberty and most other makes and models. -
I have two machines, one I use travelling, the other at home. The travelling one has EPR...wish the home one did too!
Yes, it is a comfort setting, but comfort is a good thing...Comment
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Comfort fails to adequately describe it for those on high pressures.When I was first given a machine it was set up by someone that didn't know it had the facility for EPR (expiratory pressure relief). Given that I at the time required a high pressure (and TF apparently nigh has the machine running flat out), attempts to get used to it as a newbie is much tougher than on low pressures and that as all here know can be tough enough. When I returned to the clinic 3 weeks later having gone through quite a time and some, only for a techie to say "oh, didn't you want this switched on?" I was not best pleased as the difference it made when attempting to breathe out against 18.5 was huge. There simply wasn't the strain there had been and the mask didn't start lifting off your face when you breathe out.
The other thing to consider is the smart technology, and the sensor patterns in respect of irregular breathing. With EPR and its equivalents it surely speaks of a higher class of machine quality.Comment
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I suppose I better turn it on then as my mask is starting to lift now Ive gone above 10 cm, will let you know how I get on
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My old machine has it, my new one doesn't. To be fair as I use an auto and a quite a low minimum pressure (8 or 9) I don't miss it,when I've been stats chasing I think I'd want it at 15 or more!
The new machine has sensawake so it quickly returns to a lower pressure setting if it detects you awakening, this makes up for it!Comment
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I'm running at 20cm nowadays, BA - and do not use Flex.
Folk using higher pressures may well suffer raised AHI by using Flex/EPR - the reduced pressure during exhale seems to be the generation trigger for apnoeas.
As with all things PAP, one gets used to breathing in and out with elevated pressures - all the way to 20cm. I still haven't phoned to find out what comes next.
OK then! IPAP and EPAP go up to 25cm but as I thought, next step is Consultant. Will I finally get to meet the elusive Jane Wilkinson? (Who will tell me to come back if I start snoring again or just maybe, if my AHI rises above 5.)Respironics REMstar 'M' Series APAP.
Resmed Mirage 'Quattro FX' Full Face Mask with a 'Quattro' headgear.Comment
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I was thinking that last night, if pressure is dropping for you to breath out then this must have an effect on your AHI. I turned mine on last night on level 1 my AHI went from about 2 to 7, will be turning it back off again tonight, although its a comfort thing I have lived without it for 2 years and if its going to smash my AHI to that much of an increase forget it. Thanks for that TF, hope you get your pressure sorted, I dont know how you cope with it that high, just getting to 10cm was hard enough.Originally posted by Tigers Fan View PostComment
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I can see the point about the possibility of flex relief triggering Apnoeas.
What I hadn't considered way back, when my pressure was 18.5 (now around 11.5), is that the flex was possibly causing my increase in AHI at a time when due to losing weight I was expecting my pressure requirement to drop. I got in a right vicious circle pickle over this and thankfully one of our chums on here straightened out my thinking. My approach to this now is if my AHI is under 2 (which I have got it down to over 7 years), then whatever flex I need to keep the mask on and not knowingly wake up then the comfort level works for me. As TF has said though, we get adapt and used to the kit which is remarkable really. Very Darwin!Comment
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Strange!
I left the EPR on last night cos I couldnt be bothered to change the settings when I went to bed. So this morning I expected my AHI to be high. Well it was 2 my AI was 0.0 ?
It will never stop amazing me how it can change so much but a bad night is just that, a bad night. As long as they are not too frequent then I shall ignore them.Comment
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