Is there a way to find out how much Bi-Flex reduces EPAP?

[msharaf7]

I switched from a PR Bipap to a S9 VPAP and last night, I had a really hard time falling asleep cause I’m not used to exhaling against the full pressure.

I set my epap and Ps so that I’d have the same exact settings on both machines (16.5/16.6 EPAP and 18.5/18.6 IPAP).

Not sure if this makes much sense. I can include more info if needed.

[palerider]

I switched from a PR Bipap to a S9 VPAP and last night, I had a really hard time falling asleep cause I’m not used to exhaling against the full pressure.

I set my epap and Ps so that I’d have the same exact settings on both machines (16.5/16.6 EPAP and 18.5/18.6 IPAP).

Not sure if this makes much sense. I can include more info if needed.

In answer to your question in the title that you didn't mention in the actual post, No. because the biflex varies depending on how how you're breathing.

Based on the number you've got, you've only got a PS of 2, which is almost nothing.

[msharaf7]

I switched from a PR Bipap to a S9 VPAP and last night, I had a really hard time falling asleep cause I’m not used to exhaling against the full pressure.

I set my epap and Ps so that I’d have the same exact settings on both machines (16.5/16.6 EPAP and 18.5/18.6 IPAP).

Not sure if this makes much sense. I can include more info if needed.

In answer to your question in the title that you didn't mention in the actual post, No. because the biflex varies depending on how how you're breathing.

Based on the number you've got, you've only got a PS of 2, which is almost nothing.

How does it vary? I was told (& have read) it’s like EPR and that a biflex of 2 for example will further reduce the EPAP by an additional 2cm. So it’s more like 14.5 for my EPAP vs the 16.5 I have it set at. Also, when I put the same values in the new machine, it felt much more difficult to breathe normally so I can’t imagine it’s doing nothing

[Pugsy]

BiFlex and EPR are both forms of exhale relief but that's it. How they go about doing the exhale relief is totally different and what you get isn't necessarily the same.

All Respironics Flex exhale relief machines are flow based ....this means how much actual drop you get during exhale is based on how forcefully you breathe. The most you can ever get is a 2 cm drop even at a setting of 3 and you only get that 2 cm drop if you breathe forcefully.

EPR is a straight linear drop per the setting choice during exhale.....

PS is a linear drop as well.....Respironics bilevel machines offer Flex in addition to the PS if someone wants it. It's going to be flow based though and impossible to know exactly how much of a drop you get unless you measure the pressure drops under the microscope.

ResMed bilevel devices do not offer anything other than the linear drop in terns of exhale relief.

You can't duplicate a Respironics bilevel machine setting with Flex being on ....on a ResMed bilevel device because the Respironics machine has Flex available and ResMed doesn't. It will be close but it's not exactly the same because they simply don't have the same features despite both having PS.

[palerider]

What she said.

[esel]

What she said.

I know you usually have the shortest and most clear-cut answers. Well, this time I had to read the well written long version.

[lrob123]

I have a Dreamstation BiPap (fixed EPAP and IPAP pressures but planning to try auto mode again soon) and I'm really confused about why would someone turn on the Bi-flex rather than just lowering the min EPAP or increasing the PS. Can anyone please explain? Do you recommend I turn on the Bi-flex when I switch over to Auto? And do you have a general suggestion for a good starting point PS value? Right now, the IPAP and EPAP are probably too close because I just bumped up my EPAP.

The only reason my IPAP is so low is because I tend to lie awake in bed a long time in the morning and breath oddly at those times and get lots of fake 'apneas'. I'm afraid if I set max IPAP to 20, auto mode will blast me really high while I'm lying awake, giving me more aerophagia. I don't understand why that doesn't happen to everyone in Auto mode, unless they bounce out of bed when they first wake up.

[Pugsy]

I have a Dreamstation BiPap (fixed EPAP and IPAP pressures but planning to try auto mode again soon) and I'm really confused about why would someone turn on the Bi-flex rather than just lowering the min EPAP or increasing the PS. Can anyone please explain? Do you recommend I turn on the Bi-flex when I switch over to Auto? And do you have a general suggestion for a good starting point PS value? Right now, the IPAP and EPAP are probably too close because I just bumped up my EPAP.

The only reason my IPAP is so low is because I tend to lie awake in bed a long time in the morning and breath oddly at those times and get lots of fake 'apneas'. I'm afraid if I set max IPAP to 20, auto mode will blast me really high while I'm lying awake, giving me more aerophagia. I don't understand why that doesn't happen to everyone in Auto mode, unless they bounce out of bed when they first wake up.

Maybe you should start your own thread with your questions and concerns about how to manage a bilevel machine settings.
BiFlex on top of PS isn't going to do a whole lot (especially with the extremely tight PS you are using). Just changes the timing of the change from inhale to exhale a bit and that's about it.
Play with it while awake and you can see or not see what it does. It's strictly a comfort feature. You use what feels the best.

[palerider]

What she said.

I know you usually have the shortest and most clear-cut answers. Well, this time I had to read the well written long version.

Keeping the ipap low prevents the machine from being effective while you're asleep.

[palerider]

I have a Dreamstation BiPap (fixed EPAP and IPAP pressures but planning to try auto mode again soon) and I'm really confused about why would someone turn on the Bi-flex rather than just lowering the min EPAP or increasing the PS. Can anyone please explain? Do you recommend I turn on the Bi-flex when I switch over to Auto? And do you have a general suggestion for a good starting point PS value? Right now, the IPAP and EPAP are probably too close because I just bumped up my EPAP.

The only reason my IPAP is so low is because I tend to lie awake in bed a long time in the morning and breath oddly at those times and get lots of fake 'apneas'. I'm afraid if I set max IPAP to 20, auto mode will blast me really high while I'm lying awake, giving me more aerophagia. I don't understand why that doesn't happen to everyone in Auto mode, unless they bounce out of bed when they first wake up.

Here's a thought... Take the mask off when you wake up.

[lrob123]

The only reason my IPAP is so low is because I tend to lie awake in bed a long time in the morning and breath oddly at those times and get lots of fake 'apneas'. I'm afraid if I set max IPAP to 20, auto mode will blast me really high while I'm lying awake, giving me more aerophagia. I don't understand why that doesn't happen to everyone in Auto mode, unless they bounce out of bed when they first wake up.

Here's a thought... Take the mask off when you wake up.

Yeah I know, I know... I shouldn't lie awake in bed. In spite of CPAP, I almost never seem to get enough sleep, and I always wake up very sleepy. Also I have never been an early bird or lark who can jump out of bed, bright eyed and bushy tailed, I'm the total opposite. In the morning I often lie there for a long time hoping (often futilely) that I will fall back asleep, but sometimes I do fall asleep again. I do hit the 'ramp' button which helps somewhat. Thank god for the ramp feature. But I haven't switched back to 'Auto mode' yet (I plan to try Auto again soon) and I don't know if Auto mode will override the ramp pressure during the ramp period.