Why not always use max C-Flex setting?

SithLord · Post by **SithLord** » Sat May 26, 2007 10:30 pm

I have been on CPAP for three weeks now. Mask stayed on the first night and every night since. I think the C-Flex helped a lot in addition to a lower pressure (8cm). Been following my stats with Encore Pro Analyzer.

I have only used the max C-Flex setting (3). I thought recently to try a lower setting and see if my AHI changed much. Then asked myself, why bother?

Is there any possible health benefit of a lower C-Flex setting or even turning off? Or conversely, does a higher setting increase likelihood of episodes? I know the sensing of exhale/inhale isn't an exact science, so maybe C-Flex relief can effect a "full" inhale pressure?

Little nervous about my first post. I feel like I am out of my element here . But have been a silent lurker for the past three months since my sleep study.

Unrelated question unworthy of a different post. How does one search this forum for a given equipment make/model? You can't seem to search only subject line and keyword search picks up everybody's equipment list in signature.

sleeep · Post by **sleeep** » Sat May 26, 2007 10:53 pm

good question

ICantGetNoSleep · Post by **ICantGetNoSleep** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:02 pm

My C flex is turned off as per my DME. I asked if I would notice a difference if I had it on, but they said "no"! Would love to hear from others who have noticed a difference with C Flex ....

WillSucceed · Post by **WillSucceed** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:14 pm

C-FLEX is great for many, but not for all. If you find yourself waking during the night with panting/rapid-breathing, C-FLEX MIGHT be the culprit. For these unfortunate folk, turning C-FLEX down, or completely off, can improve things significantly.

Do a search on "breath-stacking" if you want more info.

blarg · Post by **blarg** » Sun May 27, 2007 12:30 am

C-Flex is purely a comfort setting. It goes back up to full pressure long before the breath is over. So, you're not going to have more events with it unless you have other issues going on. Use whatever setting is most comfortable for you.

I find 3 to be a bit harsh for my taste, and makes me hyperventilate a bit. So, I use 2. Feels most like natural breathing.

Of course a Bi-Flex of 3 feels even MORE natural, but that's another debate entirely.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sun May 27, 2007 1:55 am

SithLord wrote:I have been on CPAP for three weeks now. Mask stayed on the first night and every night since. I think the C-Flex helped a lot in addition to a lower pressure (8cm). Been following my stats with Encore Pro Analyzer.

I have only used the max C-Flex setting (3). I thought recently to try a lower setting and see if my AHI changed much. Then asked myself, why bother?

Is there any possible health benefit of a lower C-Flex setting or even turning off? Or conversely, does a higher setting increase likelihood of episodes? I know the sensing of exhale/inhale isn't an exact science, so maybe C-Flex relief can effect a "full" inhale pressure?

Little nervous about my first post. I feel like I am out of my element here . But have been a silent lurker for the past three months since my sleep study.

Unrelated question unworthy of a different post. How does one search this forum for a given equipment make/model? You can't seem to search only subject line and keyword search picks up everybody's equipment list in signature.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX, Encore Pro, CPAP, AHI

SithLord,

You are one of the lucky ones who is on a relatively low pressure setting & Cflex at 3 is more than likely going to be very helpful.

For people on settings 15+, CFlex on 3 has the potential to introduce many unwanted side effects ...

- Aerophagia (very distressing & very unpleasant)
- Excessive flatulance (even worse - often a side effect of aerophagia)
- Mouth popping - air bursts from the lips as the Cflex effect cuts out

So the perspective of what setting is ok, varies depending on your titration & of course other issues such as what type of SA the person has & the extent that they are mouth breathers.

Good luck on your new journey, so much scope to it

DSM

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX, cflex, Titration, Encore Pro, CPAP, AHI, aerophagia

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX, cflex, Titration, Encore Pro, CPAP, AHI, aerophagia

THier · Post by **THier** » Sun May 27, 2007 4:32 am

WOW,, congrats on your success with CPAP,, hopefully I don't jinx you,, so many,, myself included,, have major issues with CPAP. Back on topic,, I have allways had my C-Flex on 2,, tried 3,, then 1 and still had issues,, and now Bi-flex is on 2, seems like it is good.

Tom

LyleHaze · Post by **LyleHaze** » Sun May 27, 2007 4:55 am

For myself, C-Flex is a comfort setting. I find "2" feels the most natural for me. I've also tried turning the APAP back to straight CPAP and running at 11 like the doctor ordered, but that was my worst night so far on the machine. Aerophagia was terrible there.
So I went back to Auto and set my range to 8-12, and all is well. I used to run 6-12, but I find pressures below 8 feel a bit scary, almost like I'm fighting to breathe.
Welcome aboard! May the force be with you. (With CPAP, would that be the Air Force?)
LyleHaze

cwsanfor · Post by **cwsanfor** » Sun May 27, 2007 6:36 am

Good question. I think two things can happen.

1) For some people, like me, the wrong, (typically) too high CFLEX setting can make it feel like the machine is out of sync with my breathing. It's just sort of distracting.

2) I think that I have seen a higher rate of events with higher FLEX settings (in my case BiFlex). I didn't analyze it rigorously, and someone will soon be posting "that can't happen", because hypopneas and apneas generally don't occur at the beginning of exhalation when FLEX works, but there's still a lot that's unknown about this stuff.

I think FLEX is a great option to have, and probably most people should crank it up. I've got mine on the lowest setting, and have been meaning to turn it off for a week.

SithLord · Post by **SithLord** » Tue May 29, 2007 8:16 am

Thx all. I'll play with the C-Flex setting without being overly concerned how it effects my AHI. Or is it affects? I can never keep those two words straight.

Why not *always* use max C-Flex setting?