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Help Adjusting Cpap

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WillingGrayPigeon9262 +0 points · over 7 years ago Original Poster

I want to adjust my Cpap machine so I feel more rested. Right now I feel terrible in the morning, as if I had a stiff board and beat myself in the forehead with it a few times. I have an appointment for a home sleep study in a couple weeks but I want to do something right away. I have a Philips Resporonics, Rem Star Pro, C-flex, System One, set on 6 cmH20. After opening up the provider functions using the secret button pushes I am able to do some adjusting. I adjusted the machine from Cpap mode to Auto IQ, the A-trail max from 6 to 11 cmH20, the A-trail min from 4 to 6 cmH20, and the from C-flex mode to A-flex mode.

  1. Are these good adjustments or would you suggest other settings?
  2. Is there any concern about the A-max being too high, and causing damage?
  3. Is A-flex better then C-flex?

Thanks so much for your help, Eric

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DanM +1 point · over 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast Support Team

Hi Eric, While we cannot provide official medical advice on the Forum, I can provide some general information that may be helpful. When in the Auto trial mode with the settings you mention, the device will monitor your breathing (for 30 days on this model, I think) and adjust the pressure to meet your needs. It appears your minimum pressure is now set to 6 cm and max is set to 11 cm. The machine should operate within that pressure range, and then determine the best fixed pressure based on your breathing. The max setting and how high it can be may depend on your own medical history/respiratory issues and whether your physician is comfortable with the setting. After 30 days of monitoring between pressures of 6 and 11 cm, the machine should set to a fixed pressure based on 30 days of data collected about your breathing. A-flex vs. C-flex is a matter of patient preference/comfort. C-flex lowers the pressure at exhalation and quickly returns the device to prescribed pressure. A-flex is supposed to respond a bit more smoothly with the pressure changes. Hope this helps, and best wishes! -Dan

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BrainsNeedSleep +0 points · over 7 years ago Sleep Commentator

Wow, Dan, I didn't know that about the machines and I have been for a while using the same one!
For what it's worth, that C-Flex option is GREAT for those of us with claustrophobia --

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DanM +1 point · over 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast Support Team

Hi BrainsNeedSleep. The process is mention above about monitoring for 30 days and then going to a fixed pressure is only for specific machines that are set to that particular mode. An APAP machine stays in automatic mode all of the time and will adjust pressures as needed. APAP never automatically changes to a fixed pressure. Glad you find the C-Flex option helpful! I have found C-Flex/A-Flex and other similar functions helpful for improving comfort as well.

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wiredgeorge +2 points · over 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast

Who prescribed the settings on your CPAP machine? If they were set by the medical company based on a prescription by a sleep doc after a study, I guess I WILL offer some medical advice. Follow the medical professional's guidance. If you have a problem with the settings, discuss it with the medical pro who wrote the prescription. You paid that guy based on his/her expertise and experience. Get your money's worth!

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