Question: Switching from BIPAP to AUTO CPAP upon losing some weight

[David SC]

Ive always had severe sleep apnea, current bipap pressure is 17/ 14.

My sleep tests ALWAYS recommended a lower pressure, but I adjusted it up--experience and
data PROVED I needed these levels. And of course, the basic "wake up response" of how
I feel--I know instantly what kind of night it was.

QUESTION---lost a bit of weight, wondering if a RESMED CPAP with good EPR Auto - Adjust
can handle the job now.

REASON---I had a backup RESMED cpap auto, and its QUIET, and great at EXHALATION,
especially fitted with an AIRFIT fullface mask.

Only drawback seems to the AIRFIT MASK doesnt seem to release much air for
C02 release, but, maybe thats just my adjustment period.

Thanks.

[Miss Emerita]

You can try answering your own question by using the back-up machine for a few nights and then looking at the data on your SD card. To do that, you can use the free Oscar software on a computer or try the free SleepHQ platform.

If you pursue this idea, set your Airsense 10 Autoset to min = 17, max = 17, and EPR = 3. That will give you an exhale pressure of 14 with every breath, along with an inhale pressure of 17. That's what you're getting now with your Aircurve 10 VAuto, if I'm understanding what you've reported about your settings.

Please post an Oscar chart or a SleepHQ link so we can see what's what and advise you further.

[lazarus]

. . . wondering if a RESMED CPAP with good EPR Auto - Adjust
can handle the job now. . . .

I fully agree with everything MIss Emerita just said.

I believe the 3cm EPR on a ResMed is comparable to a bilevel that is set with 3cm difference.

I chose to switch myself from a ResMed autobilevel to a ResMed auto that is set to 3cm EPR because I just like the fact that the EPR suspends whenever the machine detects a change in breathing that it interprets as an event, as I understand it.

https://www.rehabmart.com/pdfs/epr_with ... n%20range.

To my way of thinking, that feature arguably can, at least in a sense, for some users, make use of ResMed EPR more advantageous than bilevel modality, although I am not aware of any data to support my personal assumption.

The difference in cost was also a factor in my decision.

That said, there are some users who benefit significantly from true bilevel, especially when a greater differential than 3cm is helpful to lessening their work of breathing for better oxygenation and better comfort in all stages of sleep. Making sure there is no sacrifice in such matters by monitoring machine data and SpO2 overnight is something I would recommend for anyone who may be considering making a change on his own if he has been prescribed bilevel or autobilevel by a competent sleep doctor who may be aware of matters unclear to a patient.

-Jeff