italicized parameters that will not save?

Hi folks,

What does it mean when a parameter is italicized in the Inspector? I am trying to change one of the parameters on a counter object ("Carry flag output") from numeric to bang.....but it always reverses back to numeric the next time I open the patcher. I could add a loadbang and a message box to keep changing this.....but why won't it let me save this?

Thanks,

-mkap