CPAP vs, BiPAP

jilly · Post by **jilly** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 4:04 am

Given the choice, would you choose to use a CPAP or a BiPAP? What are the advantages/disadvantages between the two? Obviously, I'm new to this and am tring to educate myself. What's your opinion?[/list]

jla930 · Post by **jla930** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:35 am

Jilly,

I hope someone corrects me if I'm wrong, but I believe it's not a matter of preference, but rather what was prescribed for you as a result of your sleep study. Of course, whatever machine you end up getting doesn't have to be the machine you settle for if you have problems.

BiPAP uses two different pressures: one for inhalation (IPAP), a lower one for exhalation (EPAP). CPAP is just one pressure for both inhalation and exhalation.

My sleep study technician determined that BiPAP was best for me, rather than CPAP. This was done through trial and error at the sleep study. Specifically, he had me on CPAP most of the night, but said he was detecting a little "uneasiness". As soon as he switched to BiPAP, I "leveled out".

In my opionion, BiPAP is better than CPAP. BUT THAT'S MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION. Our opinions don't really have a bearing on what's best for YOU.

There's also APAP (Auto) which detects your breathing patterns and sets the pressure. I don't know much about this, or how successful it is.

What kind of machine do you currently have?

Jeff

msheda · Post by **msheda** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:22 am

I got put on BiPAP because of high pressure is what they told me. (17.5 IP 14 EP) with bi-flex=2 is what was titrated on the sleep study, I have since bumped it to 19/16 to get a .5 AI and a 1.5 AHI.

jla930 · Post by **jla930** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:41 am

msheda wrote:I got put on BiPAP because of high pressure is what they told me. (17.5 IP 14 EP) with bi-flex=2 is what was titrated on the sleep study, I have since bumped it to 19/16 to get a .5 AI and a 1.5 AHI.

Sounds like you and I are on the same wavelength. I'm currently at 18 IPAP, 15 EPAP, biflex at 3. Due to a slight problem, I'm seeing a specialist tomorrow. I'll probably end up getting my pressure bumped up a bit.

When you increased your pressures, did you have to go for another sleep study? Or did you just get a doctor to write you up a new prescription for new pressures?

msheda · Post by **msheda** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:50 am

I'm a rebel without a clue....

Actually, I have been monitoring it with data, and moving it every 5 days or so.

I figure it's my body, my machine, I have the ability to see the data, I have the ability to respond to it. So I do it.

These are however my own experiences and done at my own risk. Others should make their own decisions. I am not advocating, nor prescribing, merely relating my experiences.

KimberlyinMN · Post by **KimberlyinMN** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:42 pm

I was switched from CPAP to BiPAP due to... let's see, how is it spelled? Aerophragalia? Well, swallowing air. This made all the difference for me.

jskinner · Post by **jskinner** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 6:00 pm

jilly wrote:Given the choice, would you choose to use a CPAP or a BiPAP? What are the advantages/disadvantages between the two? Obviously, I'm new to this and am tring to educate myself. What's your opinion?[/list]

Given the choice I would choose an Auto BiPAP.
BiPAP is more comfortable to breath on but more complicated to configure.
However features like A-Flex are making a regular CPAP more like BiPAP.

-james

shippy · Post by **shippy** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:43 pm

Jilly

Bi-paps are ussually prescribed for people who need higher pressures (up near 20cm's) to keep the airway open and control the events. If i knew then what i know now i would have demanded an auto. I am on straight cpap at a pressure of 16cm's too late to change now, if i could afford it though i would switch to an auto in a heartbeat.

Dale

jilly b · Post by **jilly b** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:26 am

Thank you all for the advice!

I have a disease called Lymphangioleiomayomatosis and have a hard time getting air out of my lungs. With the CPAP, I feel like I am fighting with the machine to breath because it keeps forcing air into me when I struggle to exhale. Feels almost like I am drowning in air.

I have to buy equipment and want something to work with me, no against me. My script is only for the cheapy CPAP, so I am going to try to get the Auto and pay out of pocket.

I hope that is possible. At the moment I am so tired I could cry.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 7:03 am

jilly, I Googled "Lymphangioleiomayomatosis." It's apparently such a rare lung disease that there was only one page of internet search results for it. My heart goes out to you.

You mentioned thinking about buying an "Auto" out of pocket. I'd suggest going to your pulmonary doctor and discussing your difficulty exhaling against straight CPAP pressure. An autopap or the BiPAP Auto (if used in auto-titrating mode) might not be the right kind of machine for you at all.

It does sound like you need a BiPAP machine. However, if you were to get the BiPAP Auto, it's possible you should use it only as a bi-level and never turn on auto-titration. I don't know. What's clear is that you have such a serious lung condition you should definitely discuss with a very smart doctor what kind of machine can safely give you exhalation relief.

I hope you get smooth, comfortable treatment soon, Jilly.

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