Unofficial Bipap Users Thread

[Cholo]

2 months bipap machine user here..

Current IPAP/EPAP settings is 25/22 but my study results suggest for 26 IPAP. my machine max ipap/epap is only 25/25 and it will cost me an arm and my both legs if I settled with machine that can give a 26 IPAP.

with my current settings so far so good..its really help me a lot specially with my daily task.

I'm just having a problem with my current full face mask.. the pressure can't handle it.. it always having a leak. is there anyone whose settings are similar to me? what's your full face mask ?

my equipments are on my sig

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How about you guys what are you're bipap experiences? problems? settings? etc.

[DreamDiver]

Current IPAP/EPAP settings is 25/22 but my study results suggest for 26 IPAP. my machine max ipap/epap is only 25/25 and it will cost me an arm and my both legs if I settled with machine that can give a 26 IPAP.

Not a bipap user here, but welcome.
That's quite a high set of pressures you've been saddled with. I'm amazed that you can breathe out at 22cm H20. If the pressure is destroying your mask, you may want to try the zzz full face mask. The silicone is a lot thicker, and may stand up to higher pressures better, though I'm not sure because my pressure is less than half of yours. You'll need to use the strap from your quattro though, because the strap on the zzz is junk. If it's simply destroying your mask straps and not the silicone, you may need to get strap replacements more often. Good luck!

[Madalot]

Those are pretty high pressures you've got there! Wow.

When my ventilator was set up to keep me at a pretty high tidal volume, my pressure went as high as 27 during the night. My mask held up reasonably well for me. I'm lower now so my pressure usually doesn't go any higher than 20 (usually around 17 is about the highest mine goes) but for me, my mask can handle the pressure.

It may just be a matter of trial and error until you can find a mask that fits well enough to handle that high pressure.

[wacyone]

Cholo...I do believe there is hope for you!!!What ever you do ,do NOT give up.I myself use the Respironics Bipap auto SV...about the same as yours just a differant brand.Yes,the cost of these machines are high but the results are unbelivable.I think once you can get some nights of therapy in your pressures will be fine.If you look at my pressures which my IPAP max is 30.0 cmH20 things will change.I am now in my 8th month of therapy and my peaking has come down.Many nights at first I would peg the top of the scale at 30.0 cmH20,but now my average has come down to 17/18/19 cmH20.

As for masks,I find the Resmed Activa LT to work the best.Yes I know it is not full face but with a chin strap(PAPcap)and this mask my leaks are normal.Hope this will help you!!!!

Wes

[DreamDiver]

I find the Resmed Activa LT to work the best.Yes I know it is not full face but with a chin strap(PAPcap)and this mask my leaks are normal.

Wow. Were you using the ResMed activa LT even when it was at 30cm? I'm amazed you could get a nasal mask to work at that pressure.

[Cholo]

Current IPAP/EPAP settings is 25/22 but my study results suggest for 26 IPAP. my machine max ipap/epap is only 25/25 and it will cost me an arm and my both legs if I settled with machine that can give a 26 IPAP.

Not a bipap user here, but welcome.
That's quite a high set of pressures you've been saddled with. I'm amazed that you can breathe out at 22cm H20. If the pressure is destroying your mask, you may want to try the zzz full face mask. The silicone is a lot thicker, and may stand up to higher pressures better, though I'm not sure because my pressure is less than half of yours. You'll need to use the strap from your quattro though, because the strap on the zzz is junk. If it's simply destroying your mask straps and not the silicone, you may need to get strap replacements more often. Good luck!

Thanks dreamdiver for your mask suggestion.. I will probably look one online.

Its really hard to find some supplies here in my country since sleep problems are not a familiar health problem for us.

[Cholo]

Those are pretty high pressures you've got there! Wow.

When my ventilator was set up to keep me at a pretty high tidal volume, my pressure went as high as 27 during the night. My mask held up reasonably well for me. I'm lower now so my pressure usually doesn't go any higher than 20 (usually around 17 is about the highest mine goes) but for me, my mask can handle the pressure.

It may just be a matter of trial and error until you can find a mask that fits well enough to handle that high pressure.

Yes my settings are seriously high.. most of the time I'm being awaken by the sound coming out around the mask silicon.. it really annoys me cause the sound is really loud..

[Cholo]

Cholo...I do believe there is hope for you!!!What ever you do ,do NOT give up.I myself use the Respironics Bipap auto SV...about the same as yours just a differant brand.Yes,the cost of these machines are high but the results are unbelivable.I think once you can get some nights of therapy in your pressures will be fine.If you look at my pressures which my IPAP max is 30.0 cmH20 things will change.I am now in my 8th month of therapy and my peaking has come down.Many nights at first I would peg the top of the scale at 30.0 cmH20,but now my average has come down to 17/18/19 cmH20.

As for masks,I find the Resmed Activa LT to work the best.Yes I know it is not full face but with a chin strap(PAPcap)and this mask my leaks are normal.Hope this will help you!!!!

Wes

Its good to hear your big improvements. You have a great machine.. thats what do I need. but still possibility of owning that one is really a dream.

still a big thanks to this machines.. it boost up again my lifestyle.. I'm more flexible than before..

And I love to watch a movie now.. cause I'm not snoring anymore inside the theatre

[Slinky]

I usually use a Resmed VPAP Auto but am currently trialing a PR SystemOne BPAP Auto w/Bi-Flex. However, my pressure needs are no where near so high as yours. I'm currently running in auto mode at IPAP 17, EPAP 8 and it looks like somewhere around IPAP 15, EPAP 11 might be my pressure needs. I'm very happy w/the ProBasics Zzz-Mask full face mask. I tried the new Respironics FullLife full face mask and REALLY liked it, but was only able to try it for 2 naps until I finish this trial w/the PR S1 and decide whether to keep it or return to my VPAP Auto. The absolutely only problem I ran into the 2 naps I used the FullLife was a tendency to leak at the forehead as the FulllLife seemed to have more curve in that area or my forehead was too flat and didn't have enough curve. <VBG> I'm DEFINITELY going to go back to that FullLife and work w/it as I liked it that much.

[Cholo]

how would you know if the silicon around your mask need to be replaced? I mean even if its not have been damaged.

[Cholo]

up for this..

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I'm really having hard time with my full face mask.. its a mirage quattro. It keeps leaking, straps are so tight already and it left some redmarks on my face as I woke up.

I really need an alternative.. anyone can suggest a full face mask really design for high epap/ipap? like 26 above

[Jaylee]

I have to go sit in the corner because I don't even remember my settings

Feel free to lecture me I am sure I have it in the paper work somewhere.

[Patrick A]

Jaylee you are a bad girl....you should know your settings. I have mine on my Medic Alert card. 25/8 or was that 8/25 I don't know.

[cflame1]

Mine's 20/12

[DreamDiver]

up for this..

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I'm really having hard time with my full face mask.. its a mirage quattro. It keeps leaking, straps are so tight already and it left some redmarks on my face as I woke up.

I really need an alternative.. anyone can suggest a full face mask really design for high epap/ipap? like 26 above

So you just recently changed from the nasal mask to the quattro and the quattro has worn out already? I wonder if your pressure is so high that it's causing the silicone to crease from being secured so tightly. Silicone is pretty durable though. I'd be amazed if it wore out in a month.

Red marks on the face may be 'par for the course' when you consider your pressure. They usually dissipate with time, especially after a morning shower. I'd be more concerned with blisters and bloody spots where the mask is actually damaging your skin.

To reduce red marks or skin damage, you could try making some mask shields like these. This is a downloadable pdf. Print out the pdf. Trace the pattern onto some cardboard and then use the cardboard pattern to trace onto some thin, light cotton material, like old cotton t-shirts. Use these shields between your mask and your face to reduce skin damage and red marks.


Masks that are old tend to yellow and get tears in the silicone, usually from washing too often, too aggressively or with harsh detergents.

I know I suggested it before, but you may want to reconsider this mask if the mask-liner trick doesn't help:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/zzz-ma ... asics.html
It has much thicker silicone face cushion that is surprisingly supple and comfortable. It may be more durable at higher pressures.

Part of the problem with some headgear is that it stretches too much. The zzz headgear is too stretchy and lacks memory, so it stays stretched out. After a few days, the headgear becomes useless because the bands have stretched to become too long to be useful.
Ditch the headgear that comes with the zzz mask and get this headgear instead:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed ... -mask.html
or if you prefer, try this headgear:
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/deluxe ... onics.html
or you can try the headgear that came with your quattro.

Next, get the papcap:
This chin strap should help stabilize the mask against mask torque if you turn your head when you're asleep.
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/pursle ... otton.html

I use two rolled-up pieces of cotton material (piece of an old t-shirt, flannel shirt, whatever) -- on on either side of the mask under the lower strap connectors to keep the silicone parts near the mouth curved against the face, reducing leakage even further.

The zzz is my current 'go-to' mask because it's so easy and nearly leak-free when I use it this way. Remember, slinky's pressure is twice as high as mine, and she likes this mask too. I'm betting the mask would be relatively comfortable at your much higher pressure.

Good luck.