first sleep study coming up, c-pap or bi-pap

sleepybon · Post by **sleepybon** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:06 pm

I go for my first sleep study on May 2/06. I have Fibromyalgia and have some kind of major sleep disturbance and possibly sleep apnea.
My question is: how do they decide whether you should use a c-pap or bi-pap?

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Wed Apr 26, 2006 9:29 pm

1. How high your pressure need is
2. How well you can tolerate the pressure when you exhale
3. What your insurance requirements are (some want you to try cpap and FAIL before they will give you a bipap)
4. Other medical issues (so I have heard, but I don't know the details)
5. Your doctor's opinion of what should be tried first
6.Your own lobbying for what you think you need.

A bilevel machine (BiPAP is the Respironics' bilevel) drops pressure a LOT more than cflex for your exhalations. This works well for some people, not for others, and is completely unnecessary for others. It is a comfort measure for some, a medical necessity for others.

If the users on this board are a good indication, bilevel machines are MUCH less common.

After your sleep study, let us know your results and some people here can help you decide what questions to ask and what issues to think about.

Moogy