CPAP vs BiPAP

[bpb21]

I've been using a BiPAP for a while now, with good results. I've got a question based on something I've noticed.

At first, it felt like a leaf blower attached to my face. Now I hardly notice the pressure. (Pressure settings have not changed.) I've just finally grown accustomed to it. In the beginning I'd have to use the ramp up button to get a head start on sleep. Now I just strap it on, put it directly on full blast, and I'm off to sleep without trouble.

So: CPAP has one constant (usually lower than BiPAP) pressure. BiPAP has a low and high pressure. So...once you're used to the high pressure of the BiPAP...is there any benefit to, say, switching to CPAP with the higher of the pressures? I mean, now that I'm used to it? Say I am using 18/21. Would a constant pressure of 21 work any better?

I could easily be misunderstanding the whole fundamentals of this! I'm just curious why people start out with a constant pressure setting (CPAP) and then move on to a low/high (BiPAP) if the lower, constant pressure doesn't do it for them. Is it a question of adjusting to the higher pressure? And if so, once you've adjusted...?

[Pugsy]

I think you were likely given bipap/bilevel because your pressure needs exceed what a regular cpap machine will do. Regular single pressure machines can only go to 20. Bilevel machines can go to 25.
If you switched it over to cpap mode you couldn't do 21 anyway....the most you could do would be 20.
Now in terms of therapy effectiveness we don't know if 20 would do as good a job as 21...it probably would but the other part of the reason for bilevel is the availability of the that difference between inhale and exhale to help a person breathe against the higher pressures. Some people adjust to a fixed cpap pressure in those upper teens fairly easily but the majority of people seem to do better at the higher pressures when bilevel is involved. It's simply easier.

As to your question about will going to a fixed pressure offer "better" therapy..
Better how? Does it need to be "better"?
A person could use higher fixed pressures but higher doesn't necessarily mean "better".

[palerider]

s there any benefit to, say, switching to CPAP with the higher of the pressures? I mean, now that I'm used to it? Say I am using 18/21. Would a constant pressure of 21 work any better?

no.

I could easily be misunderstanding the whole fundamentals of this! I'm just curious why people start out with a constant pressure setting (CPAP) and then move on to a low/high (BiPAP) if the lower, constant pressure doesn't do it for them.

because cpaps are cheaper and work for most people.

[Goofproof]

Basically you are missing the point.

1. Get the software for your machine, learn to use it. It will give you clues to the pressures you need and if your choices are working for you, and if they need to be changed. Leak rate is important, if it's not under control, the data won't be accurate.

You sound like you are doing good, but you need to get the full data to get the full picture of how your treatment is going. Jim

[bpb21]

Basically you are missing the point.

1. Get the software for your machine, learn to use it. It will give you clues to the pressures you need and if your choices are working for you, and if they need to be changed. Leak rate is important, if it's not under control, the data won't be accurate.

You sound like you are doing good, but you need to get the full data to get the full picture of how your treatment is going. Jim

Ah, luckily I'm in IT so it was a snap just now setting up SleepyHead, safely importing the data from the SD card, and...yeah...as to what the results actually mean. Now for the learning curve.

But, SleepyHead summed it up by saying my machine blasted me with a constant 17-21 cmH20 of air! So I'm inferring that the short answer to my original question is it becomes too hard to exhale against a 21 cmH20 constant pressure, or perhaps by default that's the assumption for those beginning the treatment.

Much to learn! Thanks for the prompting to go ahead and set this up; I'd been putting it off.

[willow52]

I am fairly certain the two settings are for 2 entirely different things. Probably worth a phone call to your supplier or any supplier to confirm.

[chunkyfrog]

Remember, we get used to therapy pressure. Breathing becomes easier with time;
and at some point, we welcome that easy rush of fresh air.