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A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
#1
A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
When I sleep with the Flex setting on level "3" (the highest), I see my AHI chart in SleepyHead go to over 20 along with several "Periodic Breathing" moments, CA's, OA's, H's, etc.  When I decreased it to level "1," the AHI chart massively improves down to 2 during that period with practically no PB, no CA's, almost no OA's, etc.

Why would Flex be causing PB, CA, OA, etc?

If this feature is so damaging, why is it even allowed?  Why did Philips Respironics develop this if it's so hurtful to your breathing during sleep?
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#2
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
First, if setting your Flex at 3 causes more events, don't do that!
Some of us are more sensitive to pressure changes between inhale and exhale than others. A-Flex is just absolutely awful for me and while I don't get the event rates you experienced, it is still notably worse at 3 than at 1. It's hard enough to figure out what AFlex even is, let alone why it causes events, but take my word for it, you're not alone.
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#3
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
This is the second thread you have started on this issue. I responded in the first thread that I think you are mistaken in thinking you changed the Flex setting during the night. The pressure chart shows no difference between the red and green traces. This indicates to me there has been no change to the Flex setting. You may be barking up the wrong tree. 

http://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread-...oot-way-up
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#4
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
The reason you won’t see a difference between the red and green line with AFlex is that AFlex can only provide up to 2cm pressure relief regardless of which setting you use.  

Flex is not the same as ResMed’s EPR.

You can receive up to 2cm pressure relief, which is flow based.
• C-Flex – Provides pressure relief upon exhalation.
• A-Flex/C-Flex+ – Provides pressure relief taking place at the end of inhalation and at the start of exhalation.

The problem with using Flex is that it is flow based. You pretty much have to try the different settings to see how it feels. I have tried A-Flex 3 and felt as if my breath was being rushed. It felt unnatural.
A-Flex 1 feels natural to me. None of the settings make a difference in my AHI.
OpalRose
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#5
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
(03-29-2018, 08:50 PM)OpalRose Wrote: The reason you won’t see a difference between the red and green line with AFlex is that AFlex can only provide up to 2cm pressure relief regardless of which setting you use. 

Interesting. I guess SleepyHead only displays the data that the Dreamstation is providing, and Dreamstation engineers can kind of make that what they want it to be. I wonder if it still shows a separate green and red trace if you turn A-Flex right off?

And if it is really only changing the shape of the exhale curve slightly, rather than actually reducing the peak pressure, then yes it is unlikely to make much if any difference in AHI.
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#6
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
(03-29-2018, 07:31 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: First, if setting your Flex at 3 causes more events, don't do that!
Some of us are more sensitive to pressure changes between inhale and exhale than others.  A-Flex is just absolutely awful for me and while I don't get the event rates you experienced, it is still notably worse at 3 than at 1.  It's hard enough to figure out what AFlex even is, let alone why it causes events, but take my word for it, you're not alone.

Thanks Sleeprider!  Something is up with this feature!

I have found random other posts across the internet of A-flex being harmful to sleep quality and their AHI as well. But I have yet to find a cohesive thread that addresses this.

It seems like Philips Respironics needs to investigate and possibly discontinue this feature.


I’d rather have the same pressure for inhale and exhale rather than have my AHI all messed up with CA events.
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#7
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
(03-29-2018, 09:04 PM)Ron AKA Wrote:
(03-29-2018, 08:50 PM)OpalRose Wrote: The reason you won’t see a difference between the red and green line with AFlex is that AFlex can only provide up to 2cm pressure relief regardless of which setting you use. 

Interesting. I guess SleepyHead only displays the data that the Dreamstation is providing, and Dreamstation engineers can kind of make that what they want it to be. I wonder if it still shows a separate green and red trace if you turn A-Flex right off?

And if it is really only changing the shape of the exhale curve slightly, rather than actually reducing the peak pressure, then yes it is unlikely to make much if any difference in AHI.


Ron AKA,
If I turn my Flex setting to Off/None, SleepyHead only shows the red line on the graphs. I don't have a DreamStation, but its predecessor, but I believe they are set up pretty much the same.
OpalRose
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INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE.  ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA.  INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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#8
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
(03-29-2018, 11:28 PM)dk2011 Wrote:
(03-29-2018, 07:31 PM)Sleeprider Wrote: First, if setting your Flex at 3 causes more events, don't do that!
Some of us are more sensitive to pressure changes between inhale and exhale than others.  A-Flex is just absolutely awful for me and while I don't get the event rates you experienced, it is still notably worse at 3 than at 1.  It's hard enough to figure out what AFlex even is, let alone why it causes events, but take my word for it, you're not alone.

Thanks Sleeprider!  Something is up with this feature!

I have found random other posts across the internet of A-flex being harmful to sleep quality and their AHI as well. But I have yet to find a cohesive thread that addresses this.

It seems like Philips Respironics needs to investigate and possibly discontinue this feature.


I’d rather have the same pressure for inhale and exhale rather than have my AHI all messed up with CA events.

I only use C-Flex, if at all, basically to make it easier to exhale against whatever pressure is coming in. When using a C-Flex setting of 3, I basically have to increase my minimum pressure setting by at least 0.5 cmH2O to help provide pressure support and keep my AHI from going up.

I tend to off the Flex though.
lots-o-coffee
The doctor says coffee does not affect my tinnitus and it's got lots of antioxidants....however, the after dinner drinks are a different matter altogether. 
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#9
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
I was experimenting with the flex option this week. First image is with flex on, second is with flex off.  I didn't like it without the slight exhale relief.  Notice that with flex off the leak rate increased to basically all of the time as opposed to when I move or snore or whatever.
(I use P10 nasal pillows)

[attachment=5140]

[attachment=5142]
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#10
RE: A-Flex causing major problems on DreamStation?
(03-30-2018, 05:05 PM)EddieR Wrote: I was experimenting with the flex option this week. First image is with flex on, second is with flex off.  I didn't like it without the slight exhale relief.  Notice that with flex off the leak rate increased to basically all of the time as opposed to when I move or snore or whatever.
(I use P10 nasal pillows)

Thanks for this info.  I was getting some leaking last night.
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