Auto Bi-Pap

suzannajoy · Post by **suzannajoy** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:53 am

I am new to this forum, after lurking off and on for the past 3 years, this is my first post. I am in need of your wonderful feedback. I currently use a bi-pap machine with pressure settings of 21/13. I have lost about 35 pounds and am having major problems with air swallowing. Since I will continue to lose and am considering gastric bypass surgery I want to get an auto machine. My DME has already indicated that they will not sell me a bi-pap machine due to payment issues so I am going to get it here on my own. So, the question is what machine do those of you using Bi-pap prefer?

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:47 am

Respironics bipap auto, either M series or classic model.

curtcurt46 · Post by **curtcurt46** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:55 pm

suzannajoy,
If you have insurance and it sounds like you do, then I would not take no for an answer from any DME. Usually you have a choice of what DME to use. If your doctor writes you an RX for an auto Bipap, then that's the order from the doctor the DME must honor.
Maybe you should find another DME.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 1:07 pm

suzannajoy wrote:So, the question is what machine do those of you using Bi-pap prefer?

Please state what BiPAP machine you are currently using? Most likely you have a standard BiPAP, in which case the BiPAP-auto would be the most feature rich machine for the price. However, if you're using one of the specialized machines, like an S/T machine, then you'll want something considerably different. If you'll provide the manufacturer and model of the machine you have, then recommendations for a replacement will be more meaningful.

Regards,
Bill

Paul B · Post by **Paul B** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:14 pm

Good point Bill.

suzannajoy · Post by **suzannajoy** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 2:58 pm

Thanks to all of you who have responded. When I get home from work I will post the particulars about the machine I am currently using and will look forward to your input.

suzannajoy · Post by **suzannajoy** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:30 pm

Here is the information on the machine I am currently using. It is a Resmed V Sync, it also says Sullivan V Pap II. Any suggestions you have to offer would be greatly appreciated. I also see a label on the bottom that says the last download was done on 4/23/04. It seems that a lot of you download your information frequently. This seems a long time to go without having the effectiveness of my treatment monitored.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:34 pm

Suzanna,

If you have lost 30+ lbs, and your OSA is weight related, you should be able to lower the IPAP setting from 21 to approx 17 and your epap by at least 2 to 11

I am assuming the settings you were given were 21/13 & this was before weight loss.

You can apply as a rule of thumb, to drop 1 cms for every 8lbs lost. There is no need to suffer the burden of high pressures when losing weight.

When I went through smilar amout of weight drop I lowered my settings but did notice a slight increase in aerophagia as I lost more weight (odd to me as I woul have expected the reverse).

Also if you are on Bilevel be aware that an Auto Bipap doesn't allow you to set a fixed gap between Ipap & Epap. The machine starts off with a gap of 2 cms between them (ipap & epap) & only increases ipap if you have AHI activity.

You can set the max gap between ipap & epap but not the min, the machine decides what the min will be. Your existing machine if it is a Bipap Pro 2 will provide you with good nightly data if you have the datacard & software.

Good luck

DSM

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): bipap, AHI, auto, aerophagia

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 8:51 pm

dsm wrote: If you have lost 30+ lbs, and your OSA is weight related, you should be able to lower the IPAP setting from 21 to approx 17 and your epap by at least 2 to 11

I am assuming the settings you were given were 21/13 & this was before weight loss.

You can apply as a rule of thumb, to drop 1 cms for every 8lbs lost.

Doug, where does that general rule come from? My hunch is you found that somewhere in a journalistic article or perhaps a medical white paper?

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:03 pm

With the Respironics AutoBiPAP, you can use the biflex setting to make your therapy more comfortable. I have been very happy with mine. I have the older model (still available, I think) and not the M series.

Moogy

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:32 pm

suzannajoy wrote: I am currently using. It is a Resmed V Sync . . .

What am I missing here guys? Doesn't the Sync mean that this is a synchronous machine, so that the BiPAP-auto would be an inappropriate replacement?

Regards,
Bill

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:33 pm

-SWS wrote:
dsm wrote: If you have lost 30+ lbs, and your OSA is weight related, you should be able to lower the IPAP setting from 21 to approx 17 and your epap by at least 2 to 11

I am assuming the settings you were given were 21/13 & this was before weight loss.

You can apply as a rule of thumb, to drop 1 cms for every 8lbs lost.
Doug, where does that general rule come from? My hunch is you found that somewhere in a journalistic article or perhaps a medical white paper?

SWS,

Actually it was mentioned on a TV special on CPAP here in Australia 2 weeks back. I would like to be able to corroborate the info as I don't really like relying on hearsay but the way it was put, it made a lot of sense.

I will do some digging into the source.

DSM

#2 While doing some preliminary research I found this interesting link (but it doesn't get specific enough re how much to lower cms for a particular weight loss)

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20040201/561.html

Also, the more I think about Suzanna's case, the more it seems a Bipap Auto could greatly help her aerophagia as the machine will work out what ipap is required rather than with a std Bipap, arbitarily setting ipap to a level no longer required based on amount of weight loss)
D
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Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 10:39 pm

Bill, I am really ignorant about all of this, so can you tell me what the sync means that makes it different than a regular bi pap? I really appreciate all information all of you have and your willingness to share it the rest of us.

-SWS · Post by **-SWS** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:05 pm

NightHawkeye wrote:
suzannajoy wrote: I am currently using. It is a Resmed V Sync . . .
What am I missing here guys? Doesn't the Sync mean that this is a synchronous machine, so that the BiPAP-auto would be an inappropriate replacement?

Regards,
Bill

Bill, that proprietary "V Sync" feature designation refers to being able to compensate the machine's inspiratory trigger against leak skews. Leak-based inspiratory trigger skewing was an even bigger problem in the old days for BiLevel machines than it is now.

Or perhaps in a much better nut shell V Sync=Automatic Leak Compensation. So the designation "V Sync" does not really refer to the BiLevel machine as if it had any sort of "timed" or "back up" capabilities. And yet, if you throw the ST suffix on that same VPAP II model name, then you have the BiLevel capabilities you have in mind, Bill. Hope this helps.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 11:54 pm

Bill, a pic that helps explain

http://www.medicel.gr/1_resp_vpapII.shtml

This shows the older Sullivan II model that had VSync & TiControl.

The same features are on the VPAP III models.

DSM

Machine

Machine

Auto Bi-Pap

Auto Bi-Pap

Re: Auto Bi-Pap