C-Flex vs biPAP?

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WillCunningham
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C-Flex vs biPAP?

Post by WillCunningham » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:30 pm

Hi,

I am a bit confused about the difference between c-flex and biPAP. I am positive there is differences, but they seem to try and correct the same thing. Near as I can tell the biPAP lets you set specific pressures for the inhale and exhale. The c-flex option seems to do something to the pressure on exhale, but I am a bit fuzzy on what exactly it does. I suspect the major difference is how much control you have over the exhale pressure, but I could use a bit of confermation

I am going to the doctors on friday and while I am there I intend to talk to the doctor about updating my prescription so I can get a new machine. I am mostly debating between the respironics biPAP auto w/bi-Flex and the respironics REMStar Auto w/c-flex.

Thanks,

Will


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RedThunder94
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Post by RedThunder94 » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:51 pm

bipap has 2 specific pressures, one for inhale and a lower one for exhale, plus alot more stuff then i know about since i'm a newbie, but i know that c-flex relieves pressure on exhale but has no specific pressure drop, i think it is usually dependant on how hard the user exhales, and it has 3 settings, 3 being most relief on exhale and 1 being the least pressure relief, i have the remstar auto with c-flex and i got to tell you without the c-flex i really doubt i would be as compliant as i am with it.


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Last edited by RedThunder94 on Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Goofproof
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Post by Goofproof » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:51 pm

You have it mostly correct, C-Flex give you some exhale relief at the beginning of the exhale cycle, with 3 levels, it depends on how you exhale for results.

BiPAP allows you to set two separate pressures, inhale and exhale. BiPAP machines use stronger motots and can handle higher pressures, and they cost about twice as much, Except for BiPAP ST Which are even higher.

Think of it this way, CPAP with C-Flex, is a Pinto, basic but reliable. APAP with C-Flex, is a Ford LTD, strong good looking comfortable. Bi-PAP with C-Flex is the Fleet Leader, it runs strong, has a bigger engine, and more comfort features, it provides the more gentle ride. Just don't get caught speeding in it. Jim A Ex-Ford Mechanic!!! Once In a World Far Far Away!

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Last edited by Goofproof on Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Wulfman
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Post by Wulfman » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:53 pm

Hi Will.

Bi-Flex is to Bi-PAP what C-Flex is to CPAP.....a slight pressure relief on exhale (usually up to a couple of cm.).
To further complicate the explanation, Bi-PAPs, VPAPs and Bi-Levels are also names for that type of technology which allows for a greater range of inhale and exhale settings. Most of them also go up to higher rates of pressure. Some go to 25 and some go to 30.
Usually (I believe), to purchase a Bi-PAP, your prescription needs to specify one of those types of machines (but you might want to check with CPAP.COM on that issue).

Den

(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
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Post by Darth Vader Look » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:54 pm

Will, based on your pressure of 17, I would strongly recommend the Respironics Auto BiPAP. The C-Flex gives pressure relief based on your exhale and it can't be stated that it is 1, 2 or even 3cms of relief. It is no where near as good as the BiPAP relief. Nighthawkeye and Moogy have this unit and I believe they think that it is great. I hope they chime in here to give you more of an idea on how they like it.


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Krelvin
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Post by Krelvin » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:28 pm

Okay I've got a question.

Right now I am using a Synchrony Bi-PAP ST. When I exhale (assuming I have a good seal on the mask), the pressure lowers and it is actually quite easy to exhale. When I inhale, it is a full pressure which really isn't bad either.

INPAP is 27cm and EPAP is 20cm. <CORRECTED>

So what does the Bi-PAP with Bi-Flex do that is different from that? Make the exhale even easier??

So far with my machine, I don't see much of a need for that since as long as I have a mask that is not leaking, exhaling is quite easy.

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Last edited by Krelvin on Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Goofproof
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Post by Goofproof » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:32 pm

[quote="Krelvin"]Okay I've got a question.

Right now I am using a Synchrony Bi-PAP ST. When I exhale (assuming I have a good seal on the mask), the pressure lowers and it is actually quite easy to exhale. When I inhale, it is a full pressure which really isn't bad either.

INPAP is 20cm and EPAP is 27cm.

So what does the Bi-PAP with Bi-Flex do that is different from that? Make the exhale even easier??

So far with my machine, I don't see much of a need for that since as long as I have a mask that is not leaking, exhaling is quite easy.

Use data to optimize your xPAP treatment!

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Post by Moogy » Thu Jun 22, 2006 11:52 pm

Krelvin wrote:Okay I've got a question.

So what does the Bi-PAP with Bi-Flex do that is different from that? Make the exhale even easier??

So far with my machine, I don't see much of a need for that since as long as I have a mask that is not leaking, exhaling is quite easy.
The BiFlex smooths the transition between inhale pressure and exhale pressure. Some people have a wider gap between their inhale pressure and their exhale. On my Respironices Auto BiPAP, the max. difference is 8cm. If a person has a smaller range, then he/she probably would be less likely to need BiFlex, because the switch between pressures would not be as extreme.

Moogy

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pre-treatment AHI 102.5;
Now on my third auto bipap machine, pressures 16-20.5

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WillCunningham
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Post by WillCunningham » Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:26 am

Thanks for the replies! It sounds like I would get more pressure releive from a biPAP, and an Auto biPAP would remove the need for a new sleep study by auto-figuring out what the pressures should be.

I am even more interested in this now. I just got an Activa mask yesterday to replace my lame broken ComfortGEL mask. The seal is way better and it stays sealed through much more moving around. I think my oldmask was really not getting the job done judging by how I feel this morning. I normally sleep till 7:30ish but woke up a full hour earlier feeling totally wide awake and refreshed. It was a noticable improvement. I mention this because it also marked the return of a symptom that annoys me from time to time.

Often when I feel like I had a good seal and a good nights sleep, I wake up with the muscles in my back/chest feeling really sore. I have always attributed this to being the mucles involved with breathing out against the weight of my chest combined with the pressure of the cpap. If I change posisitions to sitting up or on my side, it usually makes it less sore to breath. I half suspect that is at least part of the reason I woke up early this morning.

It sounds like I should suck it up and get the biPAP even though it is about double the expense. I was hoping the c-flex would be good enough to get the job done as I can think of more fun ways to spend $700 bucks. If anyone can think of a good excuse to get the aPAP instead of the biPAP I would love to hear it. The more I think about it, the more interesting ways to spend that extra $700 I come up with. hehe.

I thought that over time those muscles got stronger and it became less and less of an issue. Now I suspect my lame mask just got more and more leaky. I think I am going to have to fall back on the old mantra "it's for your health and quality of life, just do it" and get the biPAP. It sounds like that level of control is more what I am looking for.

Thanks again!

Will


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Post by NightHawkeye » Fri Jun 23, 2006 5:56 am

Yep, I like the BiPAP-auto, and the price difference between it and the Remstar-auto may be less than $300. It has been on sale at other online retailers for $999 (although I haven't checked in a few weeks). Doing a Google search should find the best prices.

As for BiFlex, it actually relieves pressure at the beginning of exhale to values lower than the EPAP settings. This can be seen on the machine's display. On my BiPAP-Auto, with a BiFlex setting of 3, I can see the pressure briefly drop up to 3 cm less than the EPAP setting.

IMHO, anyone who is prescribed a bilevel should give the BiPAP-auto a try. It really is in a class by itself. No other manufacturer has a machine which can compare to it.

Regards,
Bill


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Post by Darth Vader Look » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:05 pm

[quote="NightHawkeye"]Yep, I like the BiPAP-auto, and the price difference between it and the Remstar-auto may be less than $300. It has been on sale at other online retailers for $999 (although I haven't checked in a few weeks). Doing a Google search should find the best prices.

As for BiFlex, it actually relieves pressure at the beginning of exhale to values lower than the EPAP settings. This can be seen on the machine's display. On my BiPAP-Auto, with a BiFlex setting of 3, I can see the pressure briefly drop up to 3 cm less than the EPAP setting.

IMHO, anyone who is prescribed a bilevel should give the BiPAP-auto a try. It really is in a class by itself. No other manufacturer has a machine which can compare to it.

Regards,
Bill


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Re: C-Flex vs biPAP?

Post by Linda3032 » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:11 pm

WillCunningham wrote:Hi,

I am going to the doctors on friday and while I am there I intend to talk to the doctor about updating my prescription so I can get a new machine. I am mostly debating between the respironics biPAP auto w/bi-Flex and the respironics REMStar Auto w/c-flex.
Will, you've probably already been to the doctor, and I hope he went along with you. At your pressures, you would definitely benefit from a Bi-Pap. It can be set as a remstar auto with cflex, but why would you want to? The Bi-Pap is the best of the best, why settle for less especially when you need it?


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WillCunningham
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Post by WillCunningham » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:22 pm

I just got back from the doctor's. They didn't question changing my perscription to a biPAP and just wrote it up for me. Linda managed to anticipate my next question and answer it for me. I was wondering if the biPAP could be set to function as an aPAP, I already figured it could be set as a cPAP.

I am going to do it and just get myself the biPAP, it will be worth it in the end. I have to say I am very excited to get it and can't wait to start messing with it. I can't wait to get the sleep data from it, it will be so comforting to know rather than guess how things are working. I am good at noticing when things suddenly get better, but I am awful at noticing when they start to go wonky on me. lol.

Thanks!!


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Post by Wulfman » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:24 pm

Glad to hear that, Will.

Best wishes,

Den
(5) REMstar Autos w/C-Flex & (6) REMstar Pro 2 CPAPs w/C-Flex - Pressure Setting = 14 cm.
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Linda3032
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Post by Linda3032 » Fri Jun 23, 2006 3:36 pm

Congratulations Will.

If you have to purchase it all yourself, it will be a spendy enterprise. But your future health is at stake.

Don't forget to get the card reader and software, and your 10 foot hose.

Good Luck and come back often to ask questions or just to let us know how you're doing.


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