Bipap Advice for Aerophagia

[araris]

Pugsy and any other with advice please post.

I contacted my home medical company today and my Pulmonologist about renting a bipap to see if it works. I have already asked for one and my insurance turned me down. They are willing to rent it to me for $247 a month. This is expensive, but I would hate to spend $1500+ on a new one or 600+ on a used one and, it not fix my issue of aerophagia (sp)

Story

I am prescribed a pressure of 10 (probably needs to go up since I'm 30lbs heavier and snoring again). For over a year I had pressure lowered because of extreme gas pain that woke me up. In October of this past year, I adjusted my pressure to 10 and I have been dealing with the gas pain pressure since. At the beginning of November I asked dr. if he would prescribe me an APAP because I read it would alleviate gas pressure. The APAP did get rid of my Gas, however it also woke me up every-time the pressure adjusted. Now I am still using the APAP set as a CPAP, but I have to deal with the gas pain again. I am now waking up in part (also mild back and hip pain) because I have so much gas I have to expel.

I feel much better, but I still have some residual tiredness. I can now function pretty well again. Now when I say I'm tired it just feels like I didn't sleep well instead of that deep lethargical type of sleepiness.

I'm hoping that a bipap will allow me to sleep throughout the night.

Questions

Based upon gas issues, has a BIPAP helped you?

Based upon my issues with changing pressure will a BIPAP wake me up like an APAP did?

Would you spend the money to rent one for a month to see if it worked or would you just buy a used one? I hate throwing money away since I don't have alot to start with and this purchase would have to go onto a card

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[ChicagoGranny]

What position(s) do you sleep in?

Are you using software to track your CPAP therapy?

I would advise posting some of your daily detail screens here for review by members. Let's make sure your therapy is effective and you have the pressure settings right before making any expensive moves.

[araris]

What position(s) do you sleep in?

Are you using software to track your CPAP therapy?

I would advise posting some of your daily detail screens here for review by members. Let's make sure your therapy is effective and you have the pressure settings right before making any expensive moves.

Thanks Chicago for your advice.

I have posted pictures before and I look at my sleep data every day. My AHI since going to a pressure of 10 has only been above 2 once. According to the Data I should be feeling better. And I do, but not perfect. I recently started keeping track of my sleep with my fitbit as well and even though I will have my machine on for seven plus hours, I am only actually asleep for less than six because of the constant awakenings.

I sleep on my back. I trained myself to sleep on my sides, but at somepoint I always end up back on my back.

[araris]

http://www.directhomemedical.com/pr-sys ... ml#reviews

How is this One?

I think since this one is a System One, it would match up with my humidifier and all the other Cpap supplies I have.

[Greg Riddle]

Before bilevel I couldnt get the pressure over 14 before bad gas pain. Bilevel helped me get pressure up to 16 exhale and 23.6 inhale before gas pain started.
I've had a lot of luck tucking my chin close to my chest. Sleeping with my head close to my chin allowed me to get the pressure up to 16.6 and a pressure support of 7.2. I get very little gas at that pressure. Not close to the point it hurts

[Pugsy]

http://www.directhomemedical.com/pr-sys ... ml#reviews

How is this One?

I think since this one is a System One, it would match up with my humidifier and all the other Cpap supplies I have.

Actually if you have a 60 series machine now and 60 series humidifier (which is the only one that will work with the 60 series machines....the above machine is model 650 ...and won't work with your humidifier...you need a 60 series BiPap Pro model 660.

[grayghost4]

how about this one ... will ship to you for $450 .

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/4880614917.html

[Greg Riddle]

I would jump on that my first month the ins co was charged 600 for the aircurve 10

[Sleeprider]

how about this one ... will ship to you for $450 .

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/4880614917.html

How do you find machines with such low hours?

[araris]

how about this one ... will ship to you for $450 .

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/4880614917.html

I am interested Gray. I sent you a PM. I need to think on this for a bit. It's a great deal. I'm just scared of buying something so far away without seeing it first.

[araris]

Questions

1. Based upon gas issues, has a BIPAP helped you?

2. Based upon my issues with changing pressure will a BIPAP wake me up like an APAP did?

3. Would you spend the money to rent one for a month to see if it worked or would you just buy a used one? I hate throwing money away since I don't have alot to start with and this purchase would have to go onto a card

I would love to hear more responses to questions 1&2. please

[Pugsy]

2. Based upon my issues with changing pressure will a BIPAP wake me up like an APAP did?

Unknown but bilevel in fixed mode won't auto adjust throughout the night like the APAP did in auto mode.
Bilevel fixed mode starts with 2 separate pressures at the beginning of the night and they stay the same throughout the night.
So it won't change throughout the night. Most people find the difference between inhale and exhale actually to be more like normal respiration and quite comfortable.
The model 660 has 2 modes of operation...cpap and fixed bilevel. It won't/can't do the auto adjusting bilevel mode. You would need the 760 mode to have that mode available.

Would the place that offered a rental for a month at $247 maybe let you do a week rental?
You would know in a week if it disturbed your sleep or not.
$247 is almost what you would pay for a gently used machine to include the humidifier. That's pretty steep.

[Guest1]

Tell the DME you will pay them the medicare rate in cash now for the rental. $247/mo is probably a token discount off the "list price" for this. What medicare pays is what you should aim to pay. I am guessing that rate will be less than $100/mo.

[palerider]

how about this one ... will ship to you for $450 .

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/hab/4880614917.html

How do you find machines with such low hours?

he's got mad skilz. he's a ghost, he haunts the intertubez

[araris]

Would the place that offered a rental for a month at $247 maybe let you do a week rental?
You would know in a week if it disturbed your sleep or not.
$247 is almost what you would pay for a gently used machine to include the humidifier. That's pretty steep.

This is a great idea!!! I'm going to call them today. This would be soooo sweet if I'm allowed to do this.

I really like this board. I have learned more from this board than I have from my DR. about sleep apnea. Thanks Pugsy.