bipap advice needed (and whining)

[refchef]

I just switched from a cpap w/c-flex to a bipap w/biflex and I'm having trouble adjusting. Is there anyway to change the length of time allowed for inhalation? I seem to be getting 2 seconds for inhale and 3 for exhale -- I'd really like 3 for inhale.

Also, I'm getting water dripping on my face from inside the mask(when using my nasal mask rather than my FF). I turned down the humidity from 3 to 2 and it still is doing this. I couldn't feel any water in the hose -- it's apparently condensing in the bend at the front of the mask. My sleep doc wanted me to use level 3, so I don't know what to do.

Anyway -- I'm very disappointed that this adjustment isn't going so well. I got switched to the biPAP because I'm at a higher pressure (16) and was having to strap my FF mask on so tightly that I have semi-permenant grooves in my face. In spite of discomfort, I was totally compliant with cpap. I'm not doing so well with bipap. The bipap is supposed to allow me to use the nasal mask successfully, and I AM finding it comfortable, but wet! The "pumping" action of the bipap is distracting with the FF mask on and I don't get a deep sleep.

Sorry for all the whining. I've been hosing for a year with the cpap and feeling pretty good. Now that I've switched, well, maybe I'll just go back to cpap and learn to live with the grooves in my face...

Emilie

[KeziasPurr]

Emilie,

Sorry to hear about your woes with the new machine.

Have you tried a snugglehose or a heated hose? They both tend to cut down on the rainout.

I've heard in these forums that the mask you use, is known for leaks I, too, use Bipap and I alternate between two masks. The Ultra Mirage FFM and the Mirage Activa nasal mask. Both of these provide a good seal, even for side sleepers. The Activa does pulsate with the bipap, so it takes some getting used to. But I don't notice the pulsing nearly as much with the FFM.

Hope this little bit of info. helps. There are more people on this forum who are much more experienced and much better versed. I seek their advice daily.

Lisa

[Rabid1]

Hi Emilie,

First, the humidifier setting is largely for comfort. If you can turn it down without getting your nasal passages & throat too dried out, you'll be ok. Do get a hose cover first, and if that doesn't help, get the Aussie heated hose.

What are the settings for your machine? Are you on auto, or straight BiPAP? What are your IPAP & EPAP numbers?

As for the mask, that's usually something that can be solved with a little experimentation with different masks. I couldn't handle the pulsing with my Mirage Activa nasal mask, so I switched to the Respironics Comfort Gel, and the F&P 407.

Take Care,

Rick

[rested gal]

I just switched from a cpap w/c-flex to a bipap w/biflex and I'm having trouble adjusting. Is there anyway to change the length of time allowed for inhalation? I seem to be getting 2 seconds for inhale and 3 for exhale -- I'd really like 3 for inhale.

I've not used the BiPAP Plus, but have used a BiPAP Pro and BiPAP Pro 2. Those had an adjustment setting in the clinical setup menu on the machine, for increasing the length of time the machine is allowed to deliver the higher IPAP pressure. I turned the IPAP "max" timer up as far as it would go on mine. Of course, if you start to exhale before "time is up", the machine will switch to the lower EPAP pressure, as it should.

Also, I'm getting water dripping on my face from inside the mask(when using my nasal mask rather than my FF). I turned down the humidity from 3 to 2 and it still is doing this. I couldn't feel any water in the hose -- it's apparently condensing in the bend at the front of the mask. My sleep doc wanted me to use level 3, so I don't know what to do.

As others have mentioned, a hose cover and/or the Aussie heated hose can usually help prevent that condensation. You might need to make a cover for parts of the mask or the mask connector hose, if any, since any section of the journey from humidifier to you is subject to "rainout" (condensation) when warmed humidified air hits cold plastic.

Sorry for all the whining. I've been hosing for a year with the cpap and feeling pretty good. Now that I've switched, well, maybe I'll just go back to cpap and learn to live with the grooves in my face...

Emilie

I'd see if you can be switched to the BiPAP Auto with Bi-Flex. It might be that you don't even need that high pressure of 16 all night long. You might do fine with a BiPAP Auto adjusting both the EPAP/IPAP pressures independently throughout the night, as needed. Perhaps you need "16" (or IPAP of 16) only for brief periods during the night and can do fine with lower IPAP and EPAP pressures most of the time.

Or see if you can try the REMstar Auto with C-flex...for the same reason...to see if you reallllllly need 16 all night, or if less pressure will treat you well most of the night.

[Moogy]

For a temporary hose cover, until you can order a good one:

Take a flannel shirt, hold it in a T shape, and thread the hose into one sleeve through the wrist-cuff, across the chest of the shirt, and out through the other cuff. This will cover most of the hose. You can tie up the body of the shirt up with old socks or hose, or just let it hang there.

I have used one of these for several weeks because I needed more insulation than I was getting from one hose cover. It slides around more than a custom hose cover, but it is something you can do NOW to help cut down on the rainout. Also, feel free to turn down the humidifier if you know how, since this setting is a comfort measure.

The amount of humidity a person needs varies with the temperature and humidity of the sleeping room, so it is always trial and error to get it right. It is not a "prescription" like the amount of pressure is a prescription.

Also, I second RestedGal's suggestion that you try to get an auto bipap instead. It costs only a little more, yet allows you to stay at lower pressures through much of the night. If you tell your doctor that this one just is not working, perhaps he or she can change your prescription. You might need to do this sooner instead of later, depending on your insurance.

Good luck,
Moogy

[Linda3032]

Another makeshift hose cover is a large bath towel. Just roll the hose up in the towel and tie or tape it in 3 or 4 places.

I don't know anything about Bi-Paps, but if you find it uncomfortable, can it be set to just a straight cpap?

[NightHawkeye]

I just switched from a cpap w/c-flex to a bipap w/biflex and I'm having trouble adjusting. Is there anyway to change the length of time allowed for inhalation? I seem to be getting 2 seconds for inhale and 3 for exhale -- I'd really like 3 for inhale.

One thing which hasn't been mentioned yet is the need to eliminate mask leaks with the Respironics BiPAP/Bi-flex machines (and also with C-flex). My experience was that even little mask leaks caused problems. I've used the BiPAP-auto and once my leaks were well controlled, then the machine followed my breathing pattern quite well and did not try to force any particular breathing pattern. However, prior to having leaks under control, the machine was unusable in BiPAP mode for me. I had the same problem with C-flex, and simply turned it off.

Not everyone has this problem, but the subject has been reported on numerous times here, so you are not alone in your experience. If you can't essentially eliminate leakage with your current mask, then you should consider a different mask.

Regards,
Bill

[xface]

If you haven't already done so, you might try moving the humidifier to just a few inches above the floor. Even though I have the heated cover, this helped eliminate most of my problems.

Yesterday, the ENT doctor told me to consider a BIPAP machine, so I'm really interested in your questions.

Good luck with your treatment.
Al