help with settings

[4speed]

So, I have put this off longer than I really want to admit. I have been told that I have snored since I was a baby and the past few years I have been told that it is exhausting to watch me try to sleep.  I had to admit that I "might" have trouble sleeping and started doing some research on my own. 

Now I have purchased a machine and two masks (one nasal and one full face) for less than the cost of one month health insurance premium. I have used it for two weeks now and my ahi was in the mid 20 range to start and now is under 10 most nights which I know still is not good but I do feel more rested and my snoring is not rattling the pictures on the walls any more. I have tried to be patient and change the settings slowly, but I am struggling with being patient.

Also, I have tried to familiarize myself as much as possible with my machine but I am a little unclear what the "Flex" setting is all about and any input would be great.

I have not had a sleep study done ever, so I have been basing adjustments on my ahi numbers and how I feel which I know is not the best way to do it but I thought I would at least give it a try.

I am going to attempt to post some Sleepyhead info, and any and all input will be appreciated more than you could know! Thank you all in advance!!





Please let me know if these pics are of any use. I will attempt to adjust if needed.

[Sleeprider]

Interesting mix of CA and OA, and I think pretty easily resolved...hopefully. I would take the IPAP/EPAP to 13/10. This will reduce pressure support to 3 and should reduce CA while improving on OA. Leaks are good, and relatively low incidence of flow limitation and snore suggest there is not too much obstructive apnea here.

BiFlex is a a lot like rise time. The setting affect how quickly the machine transitions from EPAP to IPAP. I just realized the Apneaboard Wiki does not include these terms, so I'll make a note of going in and adding it. The best advise is to try different BiFlex settings and see what "feels" best. Biflex set to 1 gives a faster transition, and Biflex set to 3 is a slower EPAP/IPAP transition.With a BiPAP you have an alternative to using BiFlex. With Biflex disabled you can adjust the "rise time". Rise time is the time it takes for the device to change from EPAP to IPAP. This screen allows you to adjust the rise time so you can find the desired setting. This is only available if Flex has been disabled and the device is in Bi-level or Auto Bi-level mode.
• 0 (off) reduces the Rise Time feature to the lowest setting (off = 150 msec).
• 1 sets Rise Time to 1 (200 msec).
• 2 sets Rise Time to 2 (300 msec).
• 3 sets Rise Time to 3 (400 msec).

On the charts, press F10 or View and turn off the right side bar, and go to File/Preferences/Appearance and turn off the pie chart.

Congrats on your new BiPAP, and good luck

[4speed]

Interesting mix of CA and OA, and I think pretty easily resolved...hopefully.  I would take the IPAP/EPAP to 13/10.  This will reduce pressure support to 3 and should reduce CA while improving on OA.  Leaks are good, and relatively low incidence of flow limitation and snore suggest there is not too much obstructive apnea here.

BiFlex is a a lot like rise time.  The setting affect how quickly the machine transitions from EPAP to IPAP.  I just realized the Apneaboard Wiki does not include these terms, so I'll make a note of going in and adding it.  The best advise is to try different BiFlex settings and see what "feels" best.   Biflex set to 1 gives a faster transition, and Biflex set to 3 is a slower EPAP/IPAP transition.With a BiPAP you have an alternative to using BiFlex. With Biflex disabled you can adjust the "rise time". Rise time is the time it takes for the device to change from EPAP to IPAP. This screen allows you to adjust the rise time so you can find the desired setting. This is only available if Flex has been disabled and the device is in Bi-level or Auto Bi-level mode.
• 0 (off) reduces the Rise Time feature to the lowest setting (off = 150 msec).
• 1 sets Rise Time to 1 (200 msec).
• 2 sets Rise Time to 2 (300 msec).
• 3 sets Rise Time to 3 (400 msec).

On the charts, press F10 or View and turn off the right side bar, and go to File/Preferences/Appearance and turn off the pie chart.

Congrats on your new BiPAP, and good luck

Thanks for your help!! Going to change things right now and anxious to see the results!!

[trish6hundred]

Hi 4speed,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Good job on the self-titration, keep up the good work.
I wish you good luck on your CPAP journey, hang in there for more responses to your post.