Auto-CPAP vs. Bi-Pap

HoseCrusher wrote:The difference between the two machines is the amount of relief offered when you exhale. Auto Cpap can offer up to 3 cm pressure relief. Bi Level can go higher and Pugsy thinks it may be as high as 8 cm pressure relief.

I don't have my PR S1 760 hooked up right now so I can't comment for sure about above 8 cm...I know it will go to at least 8 cm Pressure support. I am too tired and lazy to get it out of the closet and power it up to see for sure how high it will go.
I know the Adapt will go to 15 PS with minimum of 3 when wide open but that's the high end bilevel and not the "plain" bilevel.

Everyone:
Pressure support is nothing more than a fancy term for the difference between inhale and exhale.
When you use your S9 Autoset or Elite with EPR set to 3...that's pretty much pressure support at 3 cm. The difference between inhale and exhale is going to be 3 cm.
You don't see the setting separately like we can adjust with the bilevel machines but it's there.
When you set your machine to say 12 cm with EPR of 3...that means you get 12 on inhale and 9 on exhale....that's pressure support of 3.

If you use apap mode and the pressure goes up from that 12 to 15 ...that means on exhale you are using 12 exhale...always a difference of 3 if you are using 3 EPR.
So those of you using the Elite or AutoSet in cpap or apap mode and using EPR...it's working like a bilevel machine and the main difference is you are limited to 3 cm difference....and with the VPAPs you could have a larger difference and sometimes that bigger difference comes in very handy.
This is why when people ask me what brand machine should they get I ask if they know their pressure needs...and if they tell me that the pressures are in the teens (especially upper teens) I will suggest the ResMed because that 3 cm EPR could make a big difference in comfort and successful therapy. It just feels better than 2 cm difference and is more dramatic than the Respironics Flex relief. I have used all of them and 3 cm feels better than 2 cm difference....and 4 cm feels a lot better than 3 cm and that's how come I ended up on bilevel...pure comfort.

palerider wrote: hosecrushers statement is absolutely correct for non-bilevel resmed machines.

OhHelpMe wrote:

palerider wrote: hosecrushers statement is absolutely correct for non-bilevel resmed machines.

To be "absolutely correct", change "can" to "does".

ChicagoGranny wrote:

OhHelpMe wrote:

palerider wrote: hosecrushers statement is absolutely correct for non-bilevel resmed machines.

To be "absolutely correct", change "can" to "does".

that's a bit pedantic, even for me

not getting into how a clinician can lock that feature out for someone that doesn't know how to get into the secret special menu

You have to be kidding. I've dealt with narcissistic pricks like you before, and nothing good ever comes of it. And you think I'm insulting? Read your own posts. Why would I open myself up to more of your crap?

And look at the posts that follow this; helpful and respectful. You do know that this is a help forum don't you?

I'm done here.

Hey Phil, forgive the crude graphics here but I decided to take a stab at a visual showing the pressure line(s) for the different machines:

Very nice kaiasgram. There are also some half-decent charts and decent explanations here - http://www.lakesidepress.com/CPAP/CPAP.htm

Hey Phil, forgive the crude graphics here

Crude graphics don't seem to be Phil's problem. Ignoring crude members is a skill he has yet to develop. (chuckle)

pailrider wrote: that's a bit pedantic, even for me

Every man has his limits.

Women, not so much.

ChicagoGranny wrote:

pailrider wrote: that's a bit pedantic, even for me

Every man has his limits.

Women, not so much.

good thing too, someone's gotta keep things going!

Apparently the Sleepyhead software cant always tell the difference either since it sometimes shows my PR 560 auto aflex with aflex set on 2 as a bilevel machine

This is just the discussion I was looking for, and I thank everyone who took the time to contribute information! The link suggested by Chicago Granny, and the subsequent links from that link contained lots of information. So much, in fact, that I will need to return to it and read it more than once.

For the past 4 years, I have used a Resmed S8 VPAP ST. I believe the ST was prescribed due to central apneas. I had them in my initial sleep study, and also in the 2nd (titration study), I believe, although I see that I do not have that study on my jump drive here at work and will need to dig it out of the file at home and scan it.

I am trying to do my homework so that I can decide which machine to get next, so I have been very interested in the Bi-level/ASV comparisons. I am trying to figure out if the Resmed Airsense 10 line has what I need or not.

Does anyone have any input as to what would be closest to my current machine in terms of the therapy it provides? Or if a newer type of machine (such as ASV type) would be better?

Thank you!
Jill

jilliansue wrote:I am trying to do my homework so that I can decide which machine to get next, so I have been very interested in the Bi-level/ASV comparisons. I am trying to figure out if the Resmed Airsense 10 line has what I need or not.

You are probably going to have to wait for the AirCurve model line which will be the various VPAP models which will include the models to address people with central apnea needs.

AirCurve line to be release a little bit later...for centrals...maybe the Adapt version that they are likely to be putting out.
or they may also put at another S/T model.

Pugsy, thank you for your response. I was just looking at the AirCurve 10 models on Resmed's site. Do you have an opinion on ST versus ASV??

Thank you!

I don't really understand why the S/T is or would be preferred over the ASV type (Adapt). That's something I have had a mental block with figuring out unless it is the timed thing that is offered.
I have the S9 Adapt...I have never seen a S9 VPAP S/T to get my hands on it to just see how it actually works or differs in real life.
It's hard for me to wrap my brain around some things unless I have hands on experience...maybe someone who understand how and why the difference could chime in here because i simply don't know enough about the S/T to offer an opinion.

jilliansue wrote: Or if a newer type of machine (such as ASV type) would be better?

Thank you!
Jill

What are you trying to treat? In other words, what was your diagnosis?