Newbie needs help with noisy BiPap

glassman · Post by **glassman** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 9:31 am

Thanks everybody for this forum which has so much information!

I recently started treatment. First I had a Remstar Plus CPAP set at 10 with a Comfortselect mask. I found the mask and machine to be quiet and there was no problem except that I find it a little hard to breathe against the air, but this is helped considerably by the ramp feature. Things went well for the first few weeks but then I seemed to be feeling worse.

Therefore, the doctor prescribed a BiPAP. I got a M Series BiPAP plus (set at 6 and 10) and a Comfortgel Nasal mask. It's easy to breathe against but the mask is so noisy - as somebody else said, it's like Darth Vader. It's noisy on inhalation only. The mask noise drowns out any noise from the machine. It doesn't matter whether I use the Gel mask or the Select mask; they're both very noisy and I can't fall asleep despite sleeping pills.

Then I bought the Soyala mask. It's very quiet, no problem. But I found that it either leaked or I had to tighten to unacceptable levels.

Any suggestions? A different mask? A different machine - what about C Flex or A Flex or EPR machine? Would these be quieter than the M series BiPap?

drummergirl410 · Post by **drummergirl410** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 11:34 am

Sounds like you're dealing with a mask noise issue more so than the machine. A machine with EPR, A flex or C flex might work, but I don't think that either will give you the difference in pressure you get with your bi pap. (Respironics folks forgive me if I'm wrong about that.) I have a ResMed machine with EPR and it will only allow for a three cm. difference in pressure. You're getting 4cm. difference with your current machine and pressure settings. You may want to try some more masks to see if there is one that will work better for you. If you're really looking to replace the machine, you might want to try an auto pap.

Suz-E-Q · Post by **Suz-E-Q** » Sat Nov 03, 2007 12:03 pm

I am less than 30 days into my treatment and I started to use the Mirage Vista and it made a rediculous amount of noise. Seriously, I had no idea why until I got the card reader and the software and saw that my mask had a huge leak. The leak rate was 100 to 130 l/min. I was still getting okay treatment though my AHI was higher the nights I used the Active vs. the Swift. I started to mess with the mask and it appears that all the pieces weren't snapped in completely. After pushing everything together the mask became quiet. It wasn't leaking between my skin and the mask so it was hard for me to know that it was leaking. And being a newbie I just thought the mask was noisey. So you might want to check all the parts that snap together on the mask....take it apart and put it back together and see if it is better. Someone here noted that when they check for leaks they lick their finger, easier since the finger will get cold.

It isn't your machine it is your mask for sure. I am on BiPAP at 14 and 11 I am using the same machine that you have Respironics M series BiPAP . Maybe you can look at your data to see if you have a leak. If you don't have the software, take it to your doc or your DME and ask if they see a leak.

I'm bettin' it's a leak.