CPAP or BIPAP

I am a newbie with CPAP (approx. 2 weeks). I am trying to use a CPAP w/heated humidifier. My pressure is set to ramp up to 20. After about 15 minutes I finally get a hang of how to breathe in the thing then the Quattro full mask loses it's seal EVERY night. I have not been able to wear this beast for more than one hour before taking it off and laying it beside the bed for the rest of the night. I tried using a silicone piece that goes across the nose area which works some but then the bottom of the mask leaks. My CPAP provider is suggesting I go to a Bi-Pap machine. Any comments?

Thanks

at 20... I'd see if your DME would allow for a BiPAP Auto

the reason for that is that it allows for more movement if needed (top pressure is 25 on a BiPAP Auto).

big sherry wrote:I am a newbie with CPAP (approx. 2 weeks). I am trying to use a CPAP w/heated humidifier. My pressure is set to ramp up to 20. After about 15 minutes I finally get a hang of how to breathe in the thing then the Quattro full mask loses it's seal EVERY night. I have not been able to wear this beast for more than one hour before taking it off and laying it beside the bed for the rest of the night. I tried using a silicone piece that goes across the nose area which works some but then the bottom of the mask leaks. My CPAP provider is suggesting I go to a Bi-Pap machine. Any comments?

Thanks

Absolutely take the BiPap.

That is a good suggestion from your provider, in fact, outstanding. You will like it sooo much better because it drops the pressure on exhale. While that makes breathing that much easier it should help with your leaks too.

Reason is you are raising the pressure inside your mask to exceed 20cm to exhale and that is likely the reason your having problems with the mask. Your chest muscles are probably sore too.

Also search for Rested Gal tips for your mask. Using a scrunchie or nylon to keep your mask from pushing away from your face will no doubt help. Instead of making your mask tighter on your face.

Just make sure its not a BiPap Plus model with no data.

We find that very few people need a pressure of 20. Like the others said, if you need that much pressure you might benefit from a bilevel machine but I would question the need for such a high pressure first.

GumbyCT wrote:...That is a good suggestion from your provider, in fact, outstanding. You will like it sooo much better because it drops the pressure on exhale. While that makes breathing that much easier it should help with your leaks too.

Reason is you are raising the pressure inside your mask to exceed 20cm to exhale and that is likely the reason your having problems with the mask. Your chest muscles are probably sore too.

Also search for Rested Gal tips for your mask. Using a scrunchie or nylon to keep your mask from pushing away from your face will no doubt help. Instead of making your mask tighter on your face. ...

Actually, above 20cm H2O you almost MUST tighten the mask to the face. Even the scrunchie idea falls apart at that pressure. My ASV machine ramps up to 25cm H2O when I stop breathing. And if it is not tightened to my face it always blows out the seal. Above 20cm H2O is just such a hard pressure for most masks to handle.