Newbie) 5 Days to go before I get my BiPAP, ?Recommendations

[cicsos2]

While I understand that the main emphasis here is for CPAP, I am looking for recommendations on BIPAP machines. My pulmonary doctor has sent a Rx to a local provider and I've been told to expect something within 5 days. He has not specified a particular machine. I live near Dallas, Tx and expect that a heated hose would not be of value.

I've gone through two sleep studies. The first was back in April and I was totally unimpressed. The second was in September and I was very impressed. They discussed, via a video, sleep apenia and both CPAP and BIPAP therapies. The machine ran in CPAP mode for part of the night and then was switched to BIPAP mode - where I did much better.

The last month I have also been on oxygen at night. The doctor told me that he wants me to continue the oxygen at a reduced rate. (My wife has been ready for me to get off that monster, its so loud.) I am a bit curious to find out how the two are hooked together.

For almost 70 years the only time I was in a hospital was to visit someone. That is now changed.

So, any thoughts as to machines to avoid or ones to ask for?

Thanks,
Bill

[Pugsy]

Assuming you are talking about the regular Bilevel pressure machines and not the ASV type of machines used for people with problems with centrals...

Stick with either the Respironics PR System One 60 series BiPap (either Pro model #660 or Auto model #760) or the comparable machine in the ResMed line which would be the S9 VPAP S or the VPAP Auto.

Get the heated hose feature if you can. I know you live where it is warm and don't feel the need but there's more to the heated hose than just heat. It allows for greater customization of the amount of humidity delivered which you may find useful.
Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

BiPap is the trademark name for Respironics bilevel pressure machines. VPAP is the trademark name for the same machine in the ResMed line.

Most suppliers will be offering one of the two brands. I have happened to use both brands in the bilevel models. There's not enough difference in the two brands to worry about. Minor pros and cons with either but none are deal breakers.
There are no "brick" bilevel machines now in either ResMed or Respironics...so full data is available and easy to obtain and use software is available.

Model difference....The BiPap Pro and the VPAP S offer fixed bilevel pressures and cpap modes.
The BiPap Auto and the VPAP Auto offer fixed bilevel pressures, cpap mode and auto adjusting pressure modes.

Welcome to the forum.

[cicsos2]

Thank you very much. I have much to learn.

[midareff]

Yesterday I had a long discussion with a representative of my equipment and mask provider at their building. Since insurance companies (that means Medicare) pay them virtually the same regardless of machine, and mask, they will try and provide you the cheapest possible until you gripe. I was first provided a machine that had a humidifier but the seal line of the tank was below the waterline so it leaked all over. After lots of griping they supplied what was, I believe 3 or 4 levels upgraded.. a Respironics C450 P with a good humidifier tank and variable humidity I can control. The therapist I was dealing with felt the Respironics machines were AOK and I have traveled with mine to Thailand for a six week stay and will travel with it in the future. The Respironics masks on the other hand are the lowest level with ResMed being far superior. I received a Quattro from him yesterday to replace my Respironics and it is far, far superior. The message being they supply the cheapest and only move you to the better stuff after you gripe. Hope it helps.

[chunkyfrog]

Since your wife mentioned noise from your oxygen machine (concentrator?),
and you may still need oxygen (although less) using tanks instead of a concentrator would be much quieter--
and run a enough airline so it is in another room.

[cicsos2]

My equipment was delivered today. I have a Respironics PR System One 60 series BIPAP model 760. I did not get the heated humidifier or hose but I did get the Quattro FX full face mask. Since I'll also remain on Oxygen, because I saw that some Ox Generators support long (50') delivery tubes, I was able to get one of those and have moved the wind tunnel into another room. Tomorrow I'll reroute the delivery line where it i out of the way.

I am considering getting a SoClean CPAP Machine Sanitizer ( http://www.amazon.com/Better-Rest-Solut ... +Sanitizer ) ... the reviews are all very good.

Any opinions on the boards here?

[StuUnderPressure]

I live near Dallas, Tx and expect that a heated hose would not be of value.

I periodically go to Frisco (which is just north of Dallas) & to Dallas.

You DO need a humidifier there.
And the heated hose would be icing on the cake.

[cicsos2]

Tonight will be the end of my first week on a BIPAP. I've had two sleep studies, both were done after spending time in a hospital with breathing problems and also receiving treatment for my Mysthenia Gravis (a autoimmune disease that affects muscles). The first one was a disaster and a waste of time with inclusive results. The 2nd sleep study was entirely different. This time they showed a video about OSA, CPAPs and BIPAPs. Then, in addition to the monitor stuff, I was fitted with a full face mask (I'm a mouth breather) in CPAP mode. During the night, they switched the machine over to BIPAP mode. All in all, I slept pretty good that night. My pulmologist put me on oxygen while sleeping and then came the long wait (couple of weeks) for the results. Having the oxygen generator in the same room was a noisy environment and the machine generated extra heat.

A couple of days before the DME waas due to come I started out trying to find more information about the various machines available. The more I read, the more concern I became that I might be given a less desirable machine, so I called the provider and simply asked - "What kind of machine will you be bringing me?" Answer: "What the doctor prescribed" - Question: "What is it?" Ans: "It could be one of several types" .... I'll stop there since I never really got a good answer. I then called the doctor's office and asked the same thing. The nurse told me that they didn't specify a machine maker & type since they don't know what the DME has but the did give me the phrase that they used.

When I had called, I had been reading several of the manufacturer's pages with machine descriptions and the phrase that she used (I wish now I had written it down) matched almost exactly one of the Medicare descriptions for the code used to describe both a Respironics PS System One 60 series as well as the ResMed S9 VPAP S and VPAP Auto. I now felt comfortable that I had a very good chance on getting what I wanted based on recommendations.

I did get 90% - my doctor did not specify a heated hose, but I did get everything else...

It has now been 6 nights and I'm pretty satisfied. I have ordered a cover for the hose as well as a liner from Pad AS Cheek which came in today. Also, while reading some of the specs on oxygen generators I noticed that one claimed to support a 50 foot hose so I asked my DME person and she kindly provided me with one and also verified the output - I need 2 ml so the machine has to be set at 2.5 ml to compensate. This allowed me to move the beast to another room resulting in less noise and a cooler room.

In general, I've been able to tolerate the mask and have slept fairly well. I'm still making minor adjustments to my sleeping environment. We have an adjustable bed and when I started using oxygen I has raised the head up. After day #5 I lowered the head and raised the foot a bit since I was sliding down the bed and waking myself up. Also, after reading about various methods of holding the hose in the air - I decided to try that also. I happen to have my grandfather's old coat & hat pole rack - the kind with hooks at the top (I was watching an old 1952 movie today and there was one in one of the office scenes) - so I put it next to the bed and it is working fine. It won't be very good for traveling so I may have to either but or make up one out of pvc pipe.

I checked out my data with sleepyhead today and my last AHI was 1.38 and my average was 2.8. A week is a pretty small sample, so I'll continue to watch. I'm also keeping a small journal and recording each morning how I slept. This has already proved to be interesting - Monday night I thought that I had slept pretty good, with just a little bit of restlessness - and I was surprised to find that the data recorded a period of time around 4am with multiple events and an AHI that hit 15.

[Pugsy]

So you ended up with the PR S1 BiPap Auto 60 series...that would be model 760.
I have the same machine. I have the provider/clinical manual for it if you didn't get one...this is a different manual from the normally supplied "User" manual.
Send me a PM if you want it and give me your private email address because I have to send it as a pdf attachment and we can't do attachments here with the forum message system.

You didn't get the heated hose attachment or special power supply? It may not be a critical need but it can be bought online for $75 for everything or often insurance will pay for it if you push the DME.
If you live in a cool climate or prefer cooler bedroom temperatures then you may find that the heated hose comes in handy.
If you keep the bedroom in the 70s like some people do...then you may not need it.
When it's real cold outside...my thermostat goes down to 55 and my bedroom is even colder since it faces north with no real protection and it's an old farmhouse with minimal insulation...so a heated hose is a definite advantage for me but not everyone needs one. You can always get one later if you end up needing or wanting one.

[DoriC]

Great news, you got an excellent machine and your stats for the first week sound good! What pressures are you using?

[cicsos2]

DoriC,

After the ramp up - 10 to 15 for the pressure. A "soft gentle breeze".

Thanks for asking.

[DoriC]

Same pressure settings,same 02 as my hubby, just different machines. Keep us posted.

[cicsos2]

You didn't get the heated hose attachment or special power supply? It may not be a critical need but it can be bought online for $75 for everything or often insurance will pay for it if you push the DME.
If you live in a cool climate or prefer cooler bedroom temperatures then you may find that the heated hose comes in handy.
If you keep the bedroom in the 70s like some people do...then you may not need it.
When it's real cold outside...my thermostat goes down to 55 and my bedroom is even colder since it faces north with no real protection and it's an old farmhouse with minimal insulation...so a heated hose is a definite advantage for me but not everyone needs one. You can always get one later if you end up needing or wanting one.

I live in North Texas where a cool climate is enjoyed and if we get snow, things can shutdown quickly - we are wimps compared to our brothers to the north, but then there is the summer time ... and this one was fairly mild compared to some years.

I appreciate the offer and have sent a PM. Since I spent part of my career writing technical manuals, I have a tendency to RTFM, even when I don't need to do so.

Two things on my todo list are to get a copy of the prescription as well as the sleep studies. I just realized that I forgot to give you my email address. Another pm is coming.