lost in c-flex limbo and worried about breath stacking

thimarine · Post by **thimarine** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 7:41 pm

Well, for 4 months I thought C-flex was disabled on my remstar auto m series. It is set at 8-18, I'm averaging 12.4. I messed with the controls today after finding out how to do so. I am sure when I picked up the machine at the VA that they told me c-flex was disabled. So, just for giggles, I pressed the c-flex button to see what would happen and it said "c-flex, 1 2 3 with an arrow over 3. I know that on several nights I have mistaken the ramp button for the c-flex but didn't worry about it because I was told not to touch it as it was disabled. But the book says if it's disabled, it will say disabled. I can also move the arrow from 1 to 3. So, here the past couple of months, I've noticed a change in my sleep patterns. Could it be that that when I changed the c-flex inadvertently that I changed the optimum therapy for me? When I picked up my machine, there was a group of about 15 of us. Some cpap users getting new machines and me and one other guy getting our first machines. I was not given individual counseling. All I know about cpap I learned on this forum from you kind people. Should I try setting the c-flex back on 1? I have also heard of breath stacking caused by c-flex. Is that something I should be worried about? If so, should I disable c-flex? Why am I asking so many questions and do you all hate me now?

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:04 pm

First, I'm in no manner trained in any medical specialty, and do not work in the medical field.

Breath Stacking, as I have read and understand it, is one of several scenarios.

Usually, it is the person breathing in and holding a breath, then doing the same again without exhaling, and again without exhaling. The target is to increase lung capacity and resiliency, and possibly to force exercise of the muscle structure around the lungs and heart. I have read that some patients with heart problems are encouraged to exercise their chest muscles in that manner.

Breath stacking can also be inadvertent -- the person breathes in while a machine, a ventilator whether invasive or non-invasive, issues a pulse breath into the patient before the patient has exhaled the body inhaled breath.

I haven't done that much reading on the topic, but I don't think it is much of a concern for the average person on xPAP therapy to fret over.

Then too, I'm a guy who mistook Entennman's Chocolate Frosted Cake Donuts to be prime health food. (Ok, so I knew the difference... but they were great anyway.)

andyomega · Post by **andyomega** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:07 pm

Why would they disable C-Flex?
I found C-flex was the only thing that made CPAP usage tolerable.
Its supposed to make breathing more comfortable and natural.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:16 pm

Like I said, all I know is what they told me. I don't even know how he could tell who had what since there was such a large group and the meeting lasted about 10 minutes. But I know he told me not to touch the button. So, is there an optimal setting and could I have messed up my therapy by mistaking it for the ramp button in my drowsiness?

As to your question, why would they disable c-flex? --- these are the same people who told me they couldn't tell me my AHI or leak rate.

Vettecraze · Post by **Vettecraze** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:16 pm

You don't have to turn the c-flex off. It is a great feature. You just have to play with the different levels and see which one works best for you. Try the machine with a level for a few nights then switch to the next level. I have a different machine, mine has the A-flex and I found the best setting for me to be A-flex at 2.
By the way if you see 1,2, and 3 on your machine when you press the c-flex button then it is enabled, if it was disabled it will tell you, just like you mention on your post.

Ernesto

Vettecraze · Post by **Vettecraze** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:20 pm

I forgot to mention, forget what they told you at the VA. You have the right to take control of your therapy. There are no adverse effects with the use of c-flex.

RAINSUX · Post by **RAINSUX** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:31 pm

When I found out that the VA was not going to do any follow-up with me (unless I called them with "problems") I bought the card reader and software and started monitoring my progress and changing my settings. When on their settings I saw AHIs around 14-17. Now I'm at 2-4, and I don't think I'm done yet. I make only one change at a time and leave it that way for about a week. I don't feel any obligation to them to "not touch anything."

Sam

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:46 pm

All I know about cpap has come from you folks. When I do call in with "problems" I don't get any real answers. So, I gave up on them. I appreciate everyone's input.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:02 pm

I just SAW my logs, I don't try to stack them. I might wake up barried under a pile of wood chips.

That's why it so important to get the software and reader, it's as important to your treatment as the machine.

C-Flex is a comfort feature, maybe for some they don't like it, I can't guess why, unless they have a real lung health problem. The people that use C-Flex without a problem are probably over 90%. The ones that think they have a problem, can turn it off and suffer with the pressure, that won't kill them, but without expire relief, the chest should get stronger over time.

The only time I have a problem is when I lay in bed and pay attention to the machines sounds. You have to relax and not fight the machine, the more you think about the breathing the worse it gets.

Wyl · Post by **Wyl** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:08 pm

As previously said, C-Flex is a comfort feature. There's no harm in using it. For me personally, I have the C-Flex on and set to 1 (my pressure is straight 10.5). That gives a little bit of exhalation relief but not so much that it is a hugely noticeable difference. I tried it on 2 and 3, and the drop off in pressure wasn't comfortable for me. It made it easier to breath out, but I didn't like the feel of the pressure ramping back up on the inhale. But it's all personal preference. You won't hurt anything experimenting with your C-Flex setting, so try different settings and see what you think. Some people prefer it off all together, so you may find you don't even like it

John_M · Post by **John_M** » Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:18 pm

Wyl and others wrote:. ...There's no ham in using it. ....

I disagree.

I experienced Breath Stacking and disabled my C-Flex and have kept it off.

John M

Jefe · Post by **Jefe** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 9:45 am

I've tried it with and without, and I honestly prefer it with C-Flex turned off. It healps with my aerophagia. My machine came with it turned off, as the DME stated "You don't have that feature prescribed" I tried it out the very next day.

If you wish to turn it off on the M series, it's simple. Unplug the machine, and press & hold the 2 arrow buttons. Plug it in. Let go of the buttons after the beep. This will give you the clinician's (setup) menu. Turn off C-Flex, and try sleeping without it. You can turn it back on the same way, if you find you prefer it.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:30 am

this is akin to waiting for the sky to fall.

I'd take a pill for it.

Daddysaur · Post by **Daddysaur** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:10 pm

"Why am I asking so many questions and do you all hate me now?"

Yes we hate you. STjavascript:emoticon(':lol:')
LaughingOP PUSHING THE BUTTONS YOUR DRIVING US CRAZY. [/quote]

Mask

lost in c-flex limbo and worried about breath stacking

lost in c-flex limbo and worried about breath stacking

c-flex limbo

Using C-Flex