Well some of you might have read my struggle to find a FF mask that fits right. I haven't given up and have been 100% compliant but I've been thinking about a few things that I want to know before asking for a BiPAP Auto.
- The range: Before I had my prescription my sleep doctor told me that if I didn't tolerate 17 CPAP pressure, he would put me on a BiPAP 7-17. Now what I want to know is, how much the C-Flex on my CPAP reduces the airflow during exhaling? I feel it's a huge factor in leakage because I've noticed that it's when I'm exhaling that my mask moves and causes leakage.
- What's your experience with a setting too low or too high with an APAP? IE, I got this feeling that sometimes, my airway needs more than 17 but since I could only slept something like 2h30 at my titration (I just hate hospitals!) it could be higher and I was wondering if I put an 18-19 on an BiPAP Auto, will it use it if it doesn't need to or is it just a range for the machine to work with?
I've come to the conclusion that it may very well be the machine that is the main problem because I had an auto titration done home back in September and I just felt awesome the next morning but my doc had some suspicions about my results (my AHI was still high) and he wanted to confirm what was wrong which resulted in a 4 months wait.
Also, I've ordered the USB reader and will take control. I hate having to wait a week to know what's wrong
BiPAP & Auto questions
2 posts
• Page 1 of 1
BiPAP & Auto questions
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| Mask | |
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Right now...
BiPAP Auto Bi-Flex (3)
Pressure: 16-22
On therapy since 12/06/07
BiPAP Auto Bi-Flex (3)
Pressure: 16-22
On therapy since 12/06/07
Nick,
My doctor recently switched me from an M Series Auto with A-Flex to an M Series BiPAP Auto with C-Flex.
You will really like the BiPAP as it is MUCH more comfortable. My initial setting with the BiPAP is 17 IPAP (inhalation) and 10 EPAP (exhalation). The BiPAP drops the pressure to 10 virtually instantly when I start to exhale and the breathing cycle feels much more natural. The RT who helped me with the new BiPAP said that anyone with a pressure greater than 15 should be on BiPAP.
You asked how much C-Flex drops the pressure. Here’s a link that visually demonstrates C-Flex: http://bipapautomseries.respironics.com/. You will see that C-Flex “rounds off” the transitions between inhalation and exhalation. The link gives you a concept of how much C-Flex settings can lower the exhalation pressure below the EPAP setting.
Like your doctor, mine felt the APAP was useful for titration, but kept me at non-therapeutic pressures (i.e., too low) for too long. He also said that the algorithm that drives the APAP isn’t a good “fit” for every patient and sometimes drives the pressure up too high. My doctor prescribed fixed IPAP and EPAP settings, but the BiPAP Auto can also function in the auto mode.
Owning your own software is the way to go and puts you on a path to taking charge of your own therapy.
Good luck! Your welcome to PM me if I can add anything.
Ed
My doctor recently switched me from an M Series Auto with A-Flex to an M Series BiPAP Auto with C-Flex.
You will really like the BiPAP as it is MUCH more comfortable. My initial setting with the BiPAP is 17 IPAP (inhalation) and 10 EPAP (exhalation). The BiPAP drops the pressure to 10 virtually instantly when I start to exhale and the breathing cycle feels much more natural. The RT who helped me with the new BiPAP said that anyone with a pressure greater than 15 should be on BiPAP.
You asked how much C-Flex drops the pressure. Here’s a link that visually demonstrates C-Flex: http://bipapautomseries.respironics.com/. You will see that C-Flex “rounds off” the transitions between inhalation and exhalation. The link gives you a concept of how much C-Flex settings can lower the exhalation pressure below the EPAP setting.
Like your doctor, mine felt the APAP was useful for titration, but kept me at non-therapeutic pressures (i.e., too low) for too long. He also said that the algorithm that drives the APAP isn’t a good “fit” for every patient and sometimes drives the pressure up too high. My doctor prescribed fixed IPAP and EPAP settings, but the BiPAP Auto can also function in the auto mode.
Owning your own software is the way to go and puts you on a path to taking charge of your own therapy.
Good luck! Your welcome to PM me if I can add anything.
Ed
Current BiPAP Pressure Settings: IPAP = 18, EPAP = 15
2 posts
• Page 1 of 1