Need help changing BIPAP settings

[mrmark01]

Hi All,


If i were to post my current Bipap settings for my VPAP 3ST-A could someone guide me to changing the settings so that I don't feel like I am being suffocated
by the pressure at night. I find that every time I try to use it I end up ripping the mask off cause I feel like I can't breath. I've increased the ramp up time
but I doubt that is going to make the difference. I am almost positive that I need to reduce the pressure setting.The IPAP and EPAP I think.

I'd go back to the sleep clinic but it's 180$ a pop just in transportation costs to go there.

I need to be able to do this myself.

Appreciate any and all assistance.

thx
mrmark 01

[palerider]

If i were to post my current Bipap settings for my VPAP 3ST-A could someone guide me to changing the settings so that I don't feel like I am being suffocated
by the pressure at night.

do you feel that you can't breath in, or can't breath out?

also, if you reduce the pressure on a vpap ST-A, it' can't do it's job.

[mrmark01]

If i were to post my current Bipap settings for my VPAP 3ST-A could someone guide me to changing the settings so that I don't feel like I am being suffocated
by the pressure at night.

do you feel that you can't breath in, or can't breath out?

also, if you reduce the pressure on a vpap ST-A, it' can't do it's job.

geeesh, ummm I'm not sure it's been a little while. I am pretty sure it's breathing in.

So what is the fix for either?

[palerider]

If i were to post my current Bipap settings for my VPAP 3ST-A could someone guide me to changing the settings so that I don't feel like I am being suffocated
by the pressure at night.

do you feel that you can't breath in, or can't breath out?

also, if you reduce the pressure on a vpap ST-A, it' can't do it's job.

geeesh, ummm I'm not sure it's been a little while. I am pretty sure it's breathing in.

So what is the fix for either?

the fixes are opposite. if you have trouble inhaling, you need *more* pressure.

[yaconsult]

Also, you mentioned the ramp. Many people turn the ramp off as it's difficult to breathe at the startup pressure. I have no experience with bipap, so I'll leave that to others.

[Sleeprider]

mrmark01, just post the settings. How long do you last before taking off the mask? Do you complete ramp, or is it the ramp that is causing the problem?

[mrmark01]

If i were to post my current Bipap settings for my VPAP 3ST-A could someone guide me to changing the settings so that I don't feel like I am being suffocated
by the pressure at night.

do you feel that you can't breath in, or can't breath out?

also, if you reduce the pressure on a vpap ST-A, it' can't do it's job.

geeesh, ummm I'm not sure it's been a little while. I am pretty sure it's breathing in.

So what is the fix for either?

the fixes are opposite. if you have trouble inhaling, you need *more* pressure.

It's for sure on the exhale. Going in seems fine it's trying to exhale that's difficult.

[mrmark01]

Also, you mentioned the ramp. Many people turn the ramp off as it's difficult to breathe at the startup pressure. I have no experience with bipap, so I'll leave that to others.

The Ramp up is fine.. It's when I get to the near the end or the end of the ramp when it's at full pressure that I have difficulties.

[mrmark01]

mrmark01, just post the settings. How long do you last before taking off the mask? Do you complete ramp, or is it the ramp that is causing the problem?

I'll try to get those posted this afternoon.

[palerider]

If i were to post my current Bipap settings for my VPAP 3ST-A could someone guide me to changing the settings so that I don't feel like I am being suffocated
by the pressure at night.

do you feel that you can't breath in, or can't breath out?

also, if you reduce the pressure on a vpap ST-A, it' can't do it's job.

geeesh, ummm I'm not sure it's been a little while. I am pretty sure it's breathing in.

So what is the fix for either?

the fixes are opposite. if you have trouble inhaling, you need *more* pressure.

It's for sure on the exhale. Going in seems fine it's trying to exhale that's difficult.

I'd be *really* hesitant in suggesting changing the settings on a ST-A... could you confirm, though, what machine you have? you use the term 'bipap' which is a respironics name, and then vpap, and 3...

could you look on the back, or bottom of the unit for a REF number, and tell us what that is.

[Pugsy]

Is it this machine? ResMed VPAP III ST-A

http://www.resmed.com/int/products/vpap ... clinicians

If you don't know about your machine.... go request the clinical manual here as it will explain how to change the settings along with its features.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
Make sure you request the proper manual.

Though I agree with palerider....I would be careful with the settings because you could mess up your therapy.
That particular machine is usually dispensed for a specific reason and it's not something that I would just go changing willy nilly.
But maybe there is some wiggle room with the exhale pressure setting to offer more comfort without compromising therapy...we need to know the current settings though.

[mrmark01]

Here are my Settings.

ResMed VPAP 3

Mode:ST
IPAP:18.0cm H20
EPAP:15.0cm H20
RESP RATE:14bpm
RISE TIME:150MS
IPAP MAX:2.00
MAX I:E:1:1.1
IPAP MIN:0.30S
TRIGGER:MED
CYCLE:MED
SMART START:OFF
MASK:STANDARD
HUMID:NONE
TUBE LENGTH:2M
AB FILTER:NONE
MAX RAMP:45
START EPAP;8.0

[mrmark01]

Is it this machine? ResMed VPAP III ST-A

http://www.resmed.com/int/products/vpap ... clinicians

If you don't know about your machine.... go request the clinical manual here as it will explain how to change the settings along with its features.
http://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap-p ... tup-manual
Make sure you request the proper manual.

Though I agree with palerider....I would be careful with the settings because you could mess up your therapy.
That particular machine is usually dispensed for a specific reason and it's not something that I would just go changing willy nilly.
But maybe there is some wiggle room with the exhale pressure setting to offer more comfort without compromising therapy...we need to know the current settings though.

Normally I would agree with you that changing settings could mess up my therapy, that would of course imply that I am actually getting therapy.. But I'm not cause I'm not wearing it because I feel like
I am suffocating when it's at full speed or pressure. I am pretty sure I've nailed it down to the Exhale.. so I believe that would be the EPAP setting.

[palerider]

Normally I would agree with you that changing settings could mess up my therapy, that would of course imply that I am actually getting therapy.. But I'm not cause I'm not wearing it because I feel like
I am suffocating when it's at full speed or pressure. I am pretty sure I've nailed it down to the Exhale.. so I believe that would be the EPAP setting.

if you struggle to exhale, that would be epap. maybe you can start the machine at ramp, and see where you get to before you really don't like it anymore, and then set the epap to that?

[Pugsy]

That's a pretty high EPAP and not much pressure support (that 3 cm difference between EPAP and IPAP).
Do you have any sort of lung condition going on that might need to be dealt with?

And yes, I understand that reducing EPAP so that you can exhale easier and thus actually use the machine even if the therapy wasn't quite optimal would be a better choice than not using the machine at all.

It's the difference between EPAP and IPAP that makes the breathing against the EPAP pressure easier. So the more difference there is the greater the exhale relief to make it easier to exhale. 4 or 5 cm difference is more comfortable than 3 cm. You might try EPAP of 12 or 13 and see if that offers much relief.

Are you able to pull the data off the machine so that you can evaluate your therapy with the proposed change?