Got an APAP...is my CPAP worthless as a backup?

Just got upgraded to an APAP machine because my CPAP wasn't "doing it" for me anymore. Doctor is hopeful the upgrade will help a lot.

I've read a lot on here that you should always have a backup machine, but I'm assuming it would be stupid to keep the CPAP as a backup, since it's a different technology. Is that a correct assumption? Wondering if any of you have any experience with that.

If it's not worth keeping, I've got a ResMed S9 Elite w/humidifier in really good shape for anyone who might be interested.

I would wait until you are sure the APAP is working

No, the fixed pressure cpap machine is far from worthless in terms of using it as a back up machine in case of apap machine failure.
Even if not technically ideal therapy (for any number of reasons) it would be better than no therapy at all.

I would suggest you keep it for now and use the APAP to determine an optimal pressure should cpap mode be needed at some time in the future. If at some time you find that apap is hugely better for you then maybe you can find a suitable apap machine that could be a backup machine for you and maybe find a new home for the cpap machine.
I do better with auto adjusting pressures but if I had to use a cpap only machine I could do it. I would just have to use a lot more pressure all night instead of part of the night. Obviously not something that would be high on my want list but I could do it if I had to.

zacdilone wrote:Just got upgraded to an APAP machine because my CPAP wasn't "doing it" for me anymore. Doctor is hopeful the upgrade will help a lot.

I've read a lot on here that you should always have a backup machine, but I'm assuming it would be stupid to keep the CPAP as a backup, since it's a different technology. Is that a correct assumption? Wondering if any of you have any experience with that.

If it's not worth keeping, I've got a ResMed S9 Elite w/humidifier in really good shape for anyone who might be interested.

Without knowing more about your past therapy, it's hard to say "why" your "CPAP wasn't doing it for you anymore". It could very well be that you had the wrong settings in it. It's also premature for you to THINK that an APAP WILL "do it" for you.

And, they ARE the same technology in that they deliver pressure to keep your airway open while you sleep. ALL APAPs can be configured into CPAP mode.......and you may very well need a backup at some point in time. The basic difference is that when configured in a range of pressures, the APAPs will vary the pressure delivered to you while you sleep based on your breathing characteristics. SOME people are disturbed by that changing pressure and for many people the changing pressures can wreck their sleep architecture and leave them feeling unrested.

Keep the one you've had as a backup.


Den

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Thanks for the responses. Appreciate it.

I was on a regular CPAP machine for 10 years, but over the past year or so I've noticed the quality of my sleep has deteriorated. My doctor had me take another sleep test last month and determined that an APAP might suit me better. I'll hold on to the CPAP until I make sure the APAP is serving me better, but if this new machine is a good solution maybe I'll sell the CPAP and get another APAP as a backup. Don't want to take a step backwards in my therapy.

Thanks again.

Being nosy here, but have you gained some weight over time that might have affected your recent problems? It's amazing how it can sneak up and not much at all can make a difference, especially if your settings are on the low side to begin with.

It maybe stupid, but it is what I do. My main machine is APAP but my backup/travel machine is an older S8 cpap(it was cheap and so am I ). My pressure needs are pretty stable and hover close to 10.5 most of the night so cpap is ok for me. If once you get your new machine and you find that your pressure changes a lot you might want APAP as a backup as well.

I use a straight cpap for traveling and as a back up too. I keep it in its bag all ready to go with mask, wipes, hose...... all the needed stuff, so that when I want to head out on a vacation I just pick up the bag and go. That way my primary machine (auto)stays right on my bedside table all set up and never leaves the house. By having my spare machine all ready to go with all the bits and pieces in the bag with it, I never get stuck with the .....(damn I forgot to pack my hose....or whatever).
Nothing wrong with having a straight cpap as a spare, it works just as well as an apap.

My normal pressure with APAP vary between 12.5 and 15. When I travel my "brick" is set at 13.....no problems sleeping and I really don't care what my AHI is for that week.

I have had to have a few hospital admissions in the last couple of years and I use my old cpap for that to avoid 'contaminating' my nice pretty machine. I still like it and have since narrowed my pressure ranges on apap to make it almost cpap.

I too have mine packed and ready to go. I like that if I have to go to ER without preparing I don't have to count on someone taking apart my machine to bring it to me. It is all ready to go.