Do I need a Bi PAP?

John 32 · Post by **John 32** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 7:22 am

Hi.

I had been using this RemStar Auto PAP for about two months (20-4), for my preassure was yet to be found. I was starting to get used to the machine, sleeping a little better. My last titration's results came out and I have just been prescribed a preassure of 16. So my DME changed the auto PAP (20-4) for a RemStar Pro CPAP (16). I tried it last night with no luck, for they forgot to activate the ramp feature. I know this can be fixed, but I also noticed I wasn't feeling able to exhale easily. It felt as if the C-Flex feature wasn't on at all either, or maybe it's not as effective with such high preassure. I also felt the speed at which the machine pumped air was too fast. Is a Bi PAP better for this helping you exhale easier, as well as letting you have your own breathing pace when you need a high air preassure like 16? Do Respironics machines have this feature, or do I have to switch to a Resmed machine (the other brand my DME has)? Do I need a Bi PAP at all, or will the C-Flex feature on solve this problem? Thanks.

John.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:10 am

John,

Some moron apparently left your C-Flex and Ramp turned off.
But, your machine SHOULD have it.....if it's the "Pro" model. There are only a couple of lower-end machines that don't have C-Flex. All of the "data collecting" machines have it, but it CAN be turned off.....same with the Ramp feature.

Once you activate and tweak the settings, you should be able to better cope with the pressure. If they'd have prescribed something in the 18 - 20 range, then a Bi-PAP would probably be justified. And, that would also depend on how you do with this one and any arrangements with your insurance, contract payments, etc. Also, if you develop or have issues with aerophagia, then you might be able to make a case for a Bi-PAP.

Here's some instructions for getting into your machine.
I would suggest going through all of the screens and write down all of the existing settings before you change anything.

Den

Menu for M Series

1. Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the power on the back, wait for 2 beeps, release buttons.
2. Press the + key. <- -> buttons move to next field, -/+ keys decrement/increment
3. Check the following field(s):

Press On/Off button to exit.

They also can be found at:

h t t p : / / http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:21 am

[quote="Wulfman..."]John,

Some moron apparently left your C-Flex and Ramp turned off.
But, your machine SHOULD have it.....if it's the "Pro" model. There are only a couple of lower-end machines that don't have C-Flex. All of the "data collecting" machines have it, but it CAN be turned off.....same with the Ramp feature.

Once you activate and tweak the settings, you should be able to better cope with the pressure. If they'd have prescribed something in the 18 - 20 range, then a Bi-PAP would probably be justified. And, that would also depend on how you do with this one and any arrangements with your insurance, contract payments, etc. Also, if you develop or have issues with aerophagia, then you might be able to make a case for a Bi-PAP.

Here's some instructions for getting into your machine.
I would suggest going through all of the screens and write down all of the existing settings before you change anything.

Den

Menu for M Series

1. Hold down the <- -> buttons while plugging in the power on the back, wait for 2 beeps, release buttons.
2. Press the + key. <- -> buttons move to next field, -/+ keys decrement/increment
3. Check the following field(s):

Press On/Off button to exit.

They also can be found at:

h t t p : / / http://www.cpap-supply.com/Articles.asp?ID=130

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:40 pm

And yes, John. A Bi-level should give you more relief that a straight cpap at a pressure of 16. You're going to use the machine the rest of your life. You might as well get a decent one that allows you the most sleep comfort.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:20 pm

John,

As Linda says, a BiLevel can make a big difference if set up correctly.

Speaking for myself, it helped enormously when I was on 15 CMS to have an exhale pressure that was 4+ CMS lower. The areas it helped were ...

- minimising mask leaks
- easier to breathe - as RG often says "feels more natural"
- greatly reduced aerophagia

Good luck on what ecer you choose.

DSM

Nazareth · Post by **Nazareth** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:29 pm

Hi John- lol- I saw you over in the other forum to which I replied to your post there too

John 32 · Post by **John 32** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:45 am

Oh, my God! Wulfman...

I can't thank you enough for your help. I changed my ramp and C-Flex settings with your instructions and it made all the difference in the world. I felt the difference specially with the C-Flex feature. I switched it down form 3 to 1, and I felt the machine did let me breath on my own pace and also let me exhale much easier. But just to make sure: On which C-Flex setting does the CPAP let you exhale the easiest, 1 or 3? Also thanks to all for your helpful replies.

John.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:50 am

1 gives the least relief and 3 gives the most. I like 3 but it's whatever is most comfortable for you and gives you the best result.

Brenda

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 8:28 am

John 32 wrote:Oh, my God! Wulfman...

I can't thank you enough for your help. I changed my ramp and C-Flex settings with your instructions and it made all the difference in the world. I felt the difference specially with the C-Flex feature. I switched it down form 3 to 1, and I felt the machine did let me breath on my own pace and also let me exhale much easier. But just to make sure: On which C-Flex setting does the CPAP let you exhale the easiest, 1 or 3? Also thanks to all for your helpful replies.

John.

You're welcome, John.

Glad to hear it made a difference. As Brenda said, a setting of 1 gives the least relief and 3 gives the most relief. I personally like a setting of 2. To me, that one is "just right".

Best wishes,

Den

John 32 · Post by **John 32** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:31 pm

Hi Wulfman.

I need help again. I asked my CPAP CPAP provider to change my CPAP for an auto so I could sleep with an auto again. I was sleeping better with it. They had given me the Remstar Auto, but today, they had ran out of them, so they just gave me a ResMed AutoSet Vantage S8. Do you know how to get into the sistem and change the settings of this one as well, just like how you told me how to with the RemStar Auto? Any website? This one's fine. But I do feel again like exhaling is a bit hard, and I wonder if it has a feature like the C-Flex in the RemStar Auto. Sorry to bother you so much. Thanks.

John.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:58 pm

John, I'd contact the DME and tell them you want the same autopap you used before with good results...the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-flex. Or, better yet, ask them to get you the Respironics REMstar Auto with A-flex.

The resmed machine they gave you this time (the Vantage) has no exhalation relief when being used in "autopap" mode. The "EPR" exhalation relief in resmed machines can be turned on only when the machine is being used in "cpap" mode.

John, please PM me your email address. Got some suggestions for you.

Patrick A · Post by **Patrick A** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:41 pm

rested gal wrote:John, I'd contact the DME and tell them you want the same autopap you used before with good results...the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-flex. Or, better yet, ask them to get you the Respironics REMstar Auto with A-flex.

The resmed machine they gave you this time (the Vantage) has no exhalation relief when being used in "autopap" mode. The "EPR" exhalation relief in resmed machines can be turned on only when the machine is being used in "cpap" mode.

John, please PM me your email address. Got some suggestions for you.

Aflex is only available on the M-Series Auto

Do I need a Bi PAP?

Do I need a Bi PAP?

Thanks!

Re: Thanks!

Help again please!

Mask