Bipap question

[erbelady]

I recently got a new machine. It is the ResMed Vpap Auto 25. I had a Resporonics Bipap Pro before this one. I have a question for Bipap users. I do not feel I am getting the same air in this machine as I did previously. My husband said I am snoring now. I had the pressure tested and it is blowing correct. Someone suggested to me that my bottom pressure might be too low. I am a 17/11. Does anyone know about this? Also, what is the Vpap mode? I was told it is good for someone with high pressure. Should I talk to my doctor about that? Thanks in advance!

[erbelady]

bump

[timbalionguy]

I have one of these machines, but do not use it in Bilevel mode. These machines are very comfortable to breathe against, and maybe that is what you are experiencing. There is also a marked difference in the autoadjust (if you are set up for that) algorithms between the various machines that are out there. The Resmed machines are supposed to be more aggressive, and this has not been my experience. In contrast, the IntelliPAP is suppposed to be very un-aggressive, and with me it is very aggressive. I have been scheduled for a new PSG to get to the bottom of this.

[Slinky]

The Resmed VPAP Auto 25 has 3 modes: CPAP, Spontanesou (straight bi-level) and VAUTO (auto bi-level).

Do you know what the Pressure Support is set at? Can you access your nightly data via the LED screen? Have you read thru your Users Manual?

Is this Resmed VPAP Auto 25 your permanent bi-level or is it just a loaner?

[erbelady]

The Resmed VPAP Auto 25 has 3 modes: CPAP, Spontanesou (straight bi-level) and VAUTO (auto bi-level).

Do you know what the Pressure Support is set at? Can you access your nightly data via the LED screen? Have you read thru your Users Manual?

Is this Resmed VPAP Auto 25 your permanent bi-level or is it just a loaner?

This is my permanent machine. My other one crapped out! From what I can tell my pressure support is 11.6 but I may be looking at the wrong thing. What does this mean? I have read through the user manual but it is all forgein to me! Should I ask to be switched to bi level with my pressures being so high?

[Slinky]

Pressure Support is the difference between the IPAP set pressure and the EPAP set pressure. For instance, w/your VPAP Auto 25 set in Spontaneous mode w/IPAP at 17 and EPAP at 11 (same settings as I now have) the Pressure Support is automatically 6 cms (17-11=6).

You are fortunate this Resmed VPAP Auto 25 is your permanent device. Its a great PAP. I have its immediate predecessor, the Resmed VPAP Auto (January 2008 release and July 2008 release in the USA).

[erbelady]

Pressure Support is the difference between the IPAP set pressure and the EPAP set pressure. For instance, w/your VPAP Auto 25 set in Spontaneous mode w/IPAP at 17 and EPAP at 11 (same settings as I now have) the Pressure Support is automatically 6 cms (17-11=6).

You are fortunate this Resmed VPAP Auto 25 is your permanent device. Its a great PAP. I have its immediate predecessor, the Resmed VPAP Auto (January 2008 release and July 2008 release in the USA).

So do you agree that the reason I do not feel the pressure like I did with my old machine is because this machine is so much more comfortable?

[Slinky]

It very well could be. It also could just be that the technology is newer. They keep improving these PAPs, it seems about every 2 years they come out w/new models w/new features, new options and new technology.

Did you have a new titration study before you got this VPAP Auto 25? It may be that you need a higher EPAP pressure since your husband said you are snoring again and you say it doesn't feel as if you are getting as much pressure. I take it you mentioned this to your DME provider since you had them check its pressure output? You may need to discuss this w/your sleep doctor if your DME provider hasn't offered any suggestions.

[Llama]

Pressure Support is the difference between the IPAP set pressure and the EPAP set pressure. For instance, w/your VPAP Auto 25 set in Spontaneous mode w/IPAP at 17 and EPAP at 11 (same settings as I now have) the Pressure Support is automatically 6 cms (17-11=6).

My wife just had her VPAP S traded for an Auto 25 because her study had her at 15/11. She tried my S9 Auto for a week and never came close to approaching 15, so we talked to the doc and the DME. In Auto mode she hovers between 10 and 12cm, but we had to drop her pressure support from 4 to 2 (she used EPR 1 on mine) because she felt like it was giving her "too much air". That seemed counter intuitive to me and what I thought PS was supposed to do.

I also had to up her TiMax from the default to 3.0s because she was constantly overbreathing it. Is there a problem with changing it to 4.0s (the max)?

[Slinky]

The only "problem" w/adjusting the Ti Max either way is her comfort or discomfort.

The Rise Time, Ti Max and Ti Min are "comfort features" that even your local DME provider can change w/o a doctor's order.

What I ran into w/my VPAP Auto when in Spontaneous mode was too abrupt a pressure transition between IPAP and EPAP and we never could get the Rise Time, etc. set to where the transitions were comfortable for me (I have COPD). The easiest and quickest way for us to eliminate that abrupt transition was to switch to VAuto mode and set the PS to the exact difference between IPAP and EPAP as I mentioned above. Then altho in auto mode it was running as a straight bi-level and the EasyBreathe technology made breathing smooth and easy and comfortable for me. No more abrupt pressure transitions. That EasyBreath technology is WONDERFUL!!