BackUp for Bipap Auto SV

[Kiralynx]

i think that you are not having apneas BECAUSE you have the SV, I rarely have any apneas since I started using the SV. With it's quick response time, the SV nearly eliminates apneas. Last night, I used my Auto because the electricity kept flickering out and the Auto will come on by itself, whereas the BiPap Auto SV has to be manually turned on. I had 4 apneas last night, more than I have had in a month on the SV.

I wish there was a smaller version of the SV, too, as I am not willing to risk traveling with it. It's too expensive to replace.

Bev,

I'm beginning to reach the regrettable conclusion that you're right. In some cases, there is no substitute for a given machine.

I have now traveled twice with my SV, but both times, it was by car, so I could pack my machine and place it in the car. (It rode inside one of the fur-kid crates, while they were seat-belted to one of the back seats.) I did not have to worry about anyone except me or Harry handling the beastie.

A smaller version of the SV, with battery back-up would be really handy for nights like the one you just had. Or for hurricane season. Or for travel....

Oh the joys of not being able to use an ordinary CPAP... I'd love to have a BreatheX or Everest or Zzz-Pap in AUto-SV mode!

[ozij]

You could perhpas set up the Sandman auto to slightly mimic an SV.
The Sandman auto algorithm responds to all apneas fasted than the Respironincs
The Sandman has a "comfort pressure" which is the lowest you need, and kind of target pressure that it will zoom to quickly when necessary. It will not go there in response to an identified central apnea, but will in response to other apneas. In addition, you can tell it to go back to the comfort pressure faster or slower.

O.

[Kiralynx]

You could perhpas set up the Sandman auto to slightly mimic an SV.
The Sandman auto algorithm responds to all apneas fasted than the Respironincs
The Sandman has a "comfort pressure" which is the lowest you need, and kind of target pressure that it will zoom to quickly when necessary. It will not go there in response to an identified central apnea, but will in response to other apneas. In addition, you can tell it to go back to the comfort pressure faster or slower.

I know that the Sandman Auto was one of those recommended as a possibility for me by the pulmonologist who read my study, but the RT thought I'd do better with the Bipap Auto SV since I was titrated on bilevel, and when my insurance said "Go for it!" I was certainly not going to say no!

But I have no earthly idea how one would set up the darn thing to mimic Epap of 6, MinIpap 10, and MaxIpap 14.

[ozij]

You could perhpas set up the Sandman auto to slightly mimic an SV.
The Sandman auto algorithm responds to all apneas fasted than the Respironincs
The Sandman has a "comfort pressure" which is the lowest you need, and kind of target pressure that it will zoom to quickly when necessary. It will not go there in response to an identified central apnea, but will in response to other apneas. In addition, you can tell it to go back to the comfort pressure faster or slower.

I know that the Sandman Auto was one of those recommended as a possibility for me by the pulmonologist who read my study, but the RT thought I'd do better with the Bipap Auto SV since I was titrated on bilevel, and when my insurance said "Go for it!" I was certainly not going to say no!

But I have no earthly idea how one would set up the darn thing to mimic Epap of 6, MinIpap 10, and MaxIpap 14.

You're right, that's a tough one. And having taken another look at the patient manual (downloaded from solvitcenter) I think I may have been wrong about the comfort pressure....

The problem is getting the sandman any other kind of machine to give you those three separate pressures...

O.

[Kiralynx]

But I have no earthly idea how one would set up the darn thing to mimic Epap of 6, MinIpap 10, and MaxIpap 14.

You're right, that's a tough one. And having taken another look at the patient manual (downloaded from solvitcenter) I think I may have been wrong about the comfort pressure....

The problem is getting the sandman or any other kind of machine to give you those three separate pressures...

Yes... now, as discussed earlier, it's possible that I might tolerate a higher EPAP now that I'm used to the machine. It's actually a range of Ipap, wandering as needed between 10 and 14, with the support of the Epap at 6, as opposed to three discrete pressures.

Problem is, since I'm doing really well on the current settings, I hesitate to start tinkering with them. (Sort of -- "if it ain't broke, why try to fix it?")

I have almost no apneas, only occasional periodic breathing, and the hypopneas have significantly reduced over the last three months. My leak rate is generally good

Hmm, maybe the answer is to buy an extra set of power cords, hose, and mask, and just take the Auto SV, sans humidifier, if I have to spend the night at the hospital with a parent again. (Mom did come home yesterday, and I slept for 11 hours last night!) That, at least, would be significantly less expensive than a whole machine....

[ozij]

Hmm, maybe the answer is to buy an extra set of power cords, hose, and mask, and just take the Auto SV, sans humidifier, if I have to spend the night at the hospital with a parent again. (Mom did come home yesterday, and I slept for 11 hours last night!) That, at least, would be significantly less expensive than a whole machine....

Sounds like a better idea.

"If it aint broke don't fix it" is right.

I'm glad your mother is back home again, I hope she's feeling better.
O.

[dsm]

Ozij,

That is a very well reasoned point

Works for me

DSM

[Kiralynx]

Sounds like a better idea. (to buy an extra power cord, hose & mask)

I already have a back-up hose, and having a back-up mask isn't a bad idea. Goodness knows, I have enough soft-side cases around here that I could set up a bag that only requires the addition of the xPap to make it a complete kit.

"If it aint broke don't fix it" is right.

Sometimes, we over complicate ourselves into more than a little craziness...

I'm glad your mother is back home again, I hope she's feeling better.

Mom's feeling enough better that she's feeling really cranky. I guess that's a good sign, but it makes it hard on my dad, who's tired.

However (and hallelujah!), Dad finally mentioned Mom's breathing issues to the cardiologist.

She has been complaining for a long time about waking up gasping for breath, but it is sometimes hard to distinguish between legitimate issues and less-legitimate ones.

Until my own diagnosis, I'm afraid I thought it was "just part of the congestive heart failure," but now I realize it may be the other way around -- the CHF may have been caused by the breathing issues. I'm not sure, at 86, if Mom could adjust to using an xPap, but I think the doctor has at least ordered an overnight oximeter test. (This is one of those instances where I wish the implant Rooster posted about recently had already been tested rigorously, and was available.)