CPAP vs BPAP

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
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NewBMW
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CPAP vs BPAP

Post by NewBMW » Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:39 pm

I have been a CPAP user for four years and felt fine with readings consistently below 4. I took a Titration re-test at my Doctor's request and he is now putting me on BPao. Since I seemed to be having no difficulty before, what is the reason for the change. I have an appointment with him in three days and I am sure he will spell it out. I was just wondering in advance why the change?

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Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead; Rescan 4.01; CMS50F Oximeter; Sleep Study AHI 72 in 2011; retest in 2015 at 42; AVE AHI 4.2
Now running ResScan 4.01.Diagnosed with Apnea (72) in Sleep Study August 2011; Got CPAP Dec 2011; took 6 months to get used to machine. AHI 4.55 for 2013 Year. Have no trouble sleeping without machine (when on infrequent travel) but miss very few days.

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Wulfman...
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by Wulfman... » Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:49 pm

NewBMW wrote:I have been a CPAP user for four years and felt fine with readings consistently below 4. I took a Titration re-test at my Doctor's request and he is now putting me on BPao. Since I seemed to be having no difficulty before, what is the reason for the change. I have an appointment with him in three days and I am sure he will spell it out. I was just wondering in advance why the change?
Depends on what your current/previous pressures have been and what they saw in the sleep study (re-titration). If you're using a higher pressure, maybe you're getting close to "Bi-level pressures".
And, maybe some other bi-level settings may get you even lower.


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OkyDoky
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by OkyDoky » Fri Nov 20, 2015 1:57 pm

What are your set pressures and what are your med pressures running? If you are at the high end he may think a Bipap which goes up to 25 may be needed for the future. Also if you are starting to have more centrals a Bipap may decrease them.
If there are any lung issues a Bipap allows a larger Pressure Support (the difference between inhale and exhale pressures) that can support O2/Co2 exchange better.
So it could be several reasons, and Bipaps are nice machines. I would ask the doctor for his reason.
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Krelvin
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by Krelvin » Fri Nov 20, 2015 3:04 pm

NewBMW wrote:I took a Titration re-test at my Doctor's request and he is now putting me on BPao.
The best answer would be from your Doctor since he is making the change.

You might want to make sure you are aware of what financial expenses this might incur on your as well... Something you might bring up while talking to the doctor as well.
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SewTired
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by SewTired » Fri Nov 20, 2015 6:31 pm

I recommend contacting your insurance company before your appointment. Tell them that your doctor told you over the phone that he wants you on a bipap. Find out what your insurance coverage is. Bipaps are quite a bit more expensive.

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Pesser
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by Pesser » Sat Nov 21, 2015 2:10 pm

I was on an APAP. I paid for a bipap (out-of-pocket) simply because I wanted to try it. I purchased it - NEW- from http://www.secondwindcpap.com for $884. This machine usually cost about $3,500. The bipap is much more comfortable and if you want, you can set the machine to act as an APAP. Real good machines, much more comfortable.

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NewBMW
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by NewBMW » Sat Nov 21, 2015 2:32 pm

Thanks to all, after I see my doctor, I may have more questions.

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Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead; Rescan 4.01; CMS50F Oximeter; Sleep Study AHI 72 in 2011; retest in 2015 at 42; AVE AHI 4.2
Now running ResScan 4.01.Diagnosed with Apnea (72) in Sleep Study August 2011; Got CPAP Dec 2011; took 6 months to get used to machine. AHI 4.55 for 2013 Year. Have no trouble sleeping without machine (when on infrequent travel) but miss very few days.

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kteague
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by kteague » Sat Nov 21, 2015 5:50 pm

Looking forward to reading your doctor's answer as to why the change. I have used cpaps and apaps, both successfully. For a several years I've been content with straight pressure with just a bit of exhale relief at a pressure of 13, though admittedly as my pressure has increased so has air in my belly. But if you asked me I would have said I was doing fine. Then someone gave me an almost new bi-level machine. To my surprise, breathing on it is easier, more comfortable, and produces a bit less belly air. Depending on what your doctor says and what your wallet can tolerate, getting a bi-pap may not turn out to be a bad thing. But if it's not an actual need, it's understandable you not wanting to rock the boat.

BTW, do consider that how many events you are having over the course of a night sounds much worse than the hourly index number. Say one has 4 events per hour over an 8 hour night = 32. If even a third of them caused arousal that's some pretty disjointed sleep. I prefer my AHI to stay closer to 1. I've decided to live with just short of perfection as I don't want a higher pressure. Some reasons to settle for a bit higher AHI would be that a higher pressure causes problems like maybe mask leaks, centrals, or belly air. Otherwise, a well tolerated slight increase of pressure could get that AHI even lower.

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NewBMW
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by NewBMW » Mon Nov 23, 2015 2:01 pm

As a result of my re-titration, my AHI was 42 when not on CPAP. In Dec of 2011 it was 72; I was given an ResMed AirCurve 10 S with humidifier and heated hose, and an Air Fit F-10 full face mask. My settings are 13/9. I have not used Full Face mask before but this one did feel comfortable in the office. I did not see the doctor as I anticipated and did not get a copy of the re-titration. This will happen next week.

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Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead; Rescan 4.01; CMS50F Oximeter; Sleep Study AHI 72 in 2011; retest in 2015 at 42; AVE AHI 4.2
Now running ResScan 4.01.Diagnosed with Apnea (72) in Sleep Study August 2011; Got CPAP Dec 2011; took 6 months to get used to machine. AHI 4.55 for 2013 Year. Have no trouble sleeping without machine (when on infrequent travel) but miss very few days.

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Pesser
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by Pesser » Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:31 pm


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NewBMW
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by NewBMW » Mon Nov 23, 2015 5:45 pm

Yes, that is the machine. The connector to the mask is somewhat different in that it has a quick disconnect for heading to the bathroom. Otherwise, exactly as shown on the web site. I will report back after two or three days use to see if it is better for me than the S9 set at 13,

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Mask
Additional Comments: Also SleepyHead; Rescan 4.01; CMS50F Oximeter; Sleep Study AHI 72 in 2011; retest in 2015 at 42; AVE AHI 4.2
Now running ResScan 4.01.Diagnosed with Apnea (72) in Sleep Study August 2011; Got CPAP Dec 2011; took 6 months to get used to machine. AHI 4.55 for 2013 Year. Have no trouble sleeping without machine (when on infrequent travel) but miss very few days.

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Pesser
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Re: CPAP vs BPAP

Post by Pesser » Sun Nov 29, 2015 9:04 pm

NewBMW wrote:Yes, that is the machine. The connector to the mask is somewhat different in that it has a quick disconnect for heading to the bathroom. Otherwise, exactly as shown on the web site. I will report back after two or three days use to see if it is better for me than the S9 set at 13,
That's an excellent machine. You should be very comfortable with this! Good luck. Let us know how you get along!

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