Bipap and Cpap Need advice.

[Nole27]

What's the difference? I just got a pr system one bipap auto, and am having trouble with it. Not in the traditional sense of it being uncomfortable, but I feel as though I am still having episodes, and the type of episode seemed different. It seemed worse. I'm just wondering if I can take the auto off, or switch from bipap to cpap, or if that's even possible.

[jamiswolf]

Hi Nole,
I'm not completely sure of all the parameters on that machine...but there are definitely more settings then your old cpap. And in answer to your question...yes it can be dumbed down to function as a standard BiPap and even all the way to cpap function. But before you do any of that, can you give more info on the difficulty your having.

Could be tightening up the settings could help or maybe change the flex settings. Usually bipaps will give a much easier and more natural breathing feel.

What are your settings now?
Jamis

PS: I forgot to answer your question about the difference. Please use search and find better info...but basically a BiPap has a different pressure for inhale and exhale while cpap is essentially a single pressure machine.

[Nole27]

Hi Nole,
I'm not completely sure of all the parameters on that machine...but there are definitely more settings then your old cpap. And in answer to your question...yes it can be dumbed down to function as a standard BiPap and even all the way to cpap function. But before you do any of that, can you give more info on the difficulty your having.

Could be tightening up the settings could help or maybe change the flex settings. Usually bipaps will give a much easier and more natural breathing feel.

What are your settings now?
Jamis

PS: I forgot to answer your question about the difference. Please use search and find better info...but basically a BiPap has a different pressure for inhale and exhale while cpap is essentially a single pressure machine.

I honestly can't describe the feeling in depth. I just wake up and I'm gasping for air, with a feeling of dread.The biflex settings are at a 2. my ipap at 19 me epap at 15.

[Pugsy]

Let's get you the software so we can see what is going on.
I am using the same machine. I will send you a private message in just a few minutes.
I am short on time but later I will be back and help you more.
In the meantime. This explains your software options. And will show some examples. While they won't look exactly like yours..it will give you an idea.viewtopic.php?f=1&t=64906&st=0&sk=t&sd= ... re+options
You also need to learn how to post an image of your report so they can be seen here

Here is how I post images.

Open the image to full size so it is easily read.
I use Vista snipping tool to create a screen shot and crop the image at the same time.
Prt/scr key will also take a screen shot if using XP. If laptop is used sometimes the Fn key has to be pushed at the same time as the prt/scr key
I think windows 7 Home Premium has the snipping tool, Basic may not.
Once the screen shot is created save it in jpg format.
Upload the image to a host site. I use Photobucket it is free, there are others.
Once the image is uploaded then copy the ENTIRE IMG address. Be sure to include the opening and closing IMG in brackets. Paste that copied address into a post here.
Use the preview button. If you can't see the image try again because if you can't see it we can't.

[jamiswolf]

Nole wrote: I honestly can't describe the feeling in depth. I just wake up and I'm gasping for air, with a feeling of dread.The biflex settings are at a 2. my ipap at 19 me epap at 15.

Those seem like really high pressures to me. This is what your Doc prescribed?
What was your cpap pressure before you got this machine?

I'll go read your first thread and see if I can get some hints there.

One idea is that these high pressures are inducing central apneas which your BiPap can't treat. A long stretch with no breathing could certainly make you gasp for breath and feel dread.

Do you have the ability to read the data card? That certainly would give some clues.
Jamis

[Nole27]

Thanks Pugsy. And Jamiswolf I've never had a cpap I got my study done and those were the pressures my sleep doc prescribed. Now I used it last night and I had no problems. But I tried too take a mini nap before I went to work and it just seemed like every time I fell asleep I woke up with that feeling.

[Pugsy]

I have you sent a private message with the software instructions.

Do you have the Provider/clinician manual or do you just have the User manual?
I have it in pdf format. If you don't have it send me a private message with your private email address and I will send it to you as attachment. I can't do attachments here with forum email.

I will be back later. If you can post one of your daily detailed reports it would help us see what is going on.

The information available on the machine LCD screen is too limited to help us. We need the software reports.

I can't comment on your symptoms. It could have simply been a wake up during an obstructive event or central.
Or it could have just been a fluke. But with the software reports we can see what did happen during your night.

[Nole27]

Here's the info

[cflame1]

Is it set on Auto Bipap... or is it set on straight Bipap? Because it looks like it's on straight Bipap... and that you're using Ramp.

[Nole27]

How would I tell?

[Pugsy]

Put your mask on and start up the machine. Don't use ramp. Tell us what pressures you see show up on the LCD.

I am betting EPAP 15 and IPAP 19....Regular straight BiPap.

With Auto BiPap...there is only a 2 cm difference between EPAP and IPAP when you first start breathing if ramp is not used.

Is this the nap? Absolutely nothing on it as far as events go. Can you give us an image of last night. Be sure to include the AHI and stuff on the left side of the graphs.

[Nole27]

You were right about the pressures. So that means it's just Bipap and not auto? As far as the data from last night Sleepy Head says there is no other data on the card. So should I just use it again tonight and post the results tomorrow. Or am I just doing this incorrectly?

[Pugsy]

Did you click on the date in the calendar from last night and it showed no data available? If you put the card in now, even if the card was not in fully last night, it should write the data from last night to the card.
So last night should not be lost. The only thing we lose if the SD card was not in place is flow waves. The rest of the data should still be there.

Yes, your machine is set for straight BiLevel pressures instead of auto titrating pressures. Not a huge problem unless we see on the reports a bunch of events. With your EPAP and IPAP as it is now there isn't a wide range in treatment pressures and will likely work just as well at this pressure setting. The 4 cm difference is easier to use than the 2 cm difference in auto mode. I have tried both. It is the difference in EPAP and IPAP that makes the machine so easy to breathe with. Smaller difference is perceived more difficult. So when we use a difference of 4 cm we fool the brain a bit into thinking that 15 cm is sooooo much easier to exhale against. If you tried 16 IPAP and 15 EPAP it would be perceived as much more difficult.

[Nole27]

Ok. Found it. What exactly are we looking for?

[jamiswolf]

Hey Nole,
The big number is ahi. Yours is just under 10 and under 5 is considered ideal. All obstructive with minimal central which shoots down my initial idea. But in general, it's not too bad for where your at.

I'm not certain but it looks like your machine is set up with auto epap/ipap ranges yet your bouncing off the top.

Are you as big guy?

Are you a back sleeper?
Jamis

Edit: I misread ahi number (small print) See subsequent posts for accurate feedback.