please help - i need suggestions and advice for biPap

Hello

I am so happy I have found this forum, and hope for a response to my questions.

I have been on cpap for at least 10 years for OSA. After repeatedly telling my provider that I dont feel much better after Cpap, I insisted on a sleep study. My providers pat response had been "well. if you didnt use CPap, you would know how bad you would feel." This study verified that there was no clinical improvement up
to pressure of 10. My previous Cpap settings were 16 and 12.

There was evidence of severe OSA and severe central sleep apnea. I am having another sleep test soon to titrate me using BiPap and in the meantime I am to contact a home health agency to have a BiPap machine ready for me.

Having browsed thru different machines, I think I need a BiPap machine which will automatically take a breath for me when I don't breathe. I am worried I will not get the right machine. It seems different providers deal with different suppliers.

I don't want more years of ill-fitting masks and ill-fitting headgears with leaks.

Can anyone help with recommendations for a machine, something that helped their central sleep apnea? Also recommendations for headgear, etc.

Thanks for any help. I feel this is my last chance to finally get a good sleep and I dont want it to fail.


Sincere thanks
Lindy

There are 2 choices that come to mind if you require 'control' of your breathing.

There is the Respironics Bipap S/T (Synchrony or new 'gray' model) and there is the Resmed VPAP III S/T.

I have both types & as of today would lean toward the Vpap III S/T but only because I have issues at my CMS (being 15) and with the Bipap AUTO-TRAK feature working with my Ultra Mirage F/F Mask. If you use nasal masks or nasal pillows, the problem I am mentioning will not show.

Be aware that the S/T models of Bilevels are much dearer that standard Bilevels & your provider may balk at supplying an S/T model unless your doctor specifically requests one.

If you go for a straight Bilevel then the Bipap AUTO has proven to be a very popular choice.

Good luck

DSM

Just wanted to add.

I have previously used a Puritan Bennett PB330 Knightstar with 'A/C' (Assisted Control). It has been an excellent choice & I will happily go back to it if needed.

But, another reason I have gone for the Vpap III S/T model is that it is the only one of the 'control' Bilevels that provides useful nightly data.

The Bipap S/T only provides an average AHI & no minute-by-minute detail.

Of the standard Bilevels, the Bipap Pro & Pro 2 both provide detailed nightly data as does the Bipap AUTO.

This may or may not matter to you depending on if you plan to obtain the software and regularly analyse your results (I tend to look at the data occasionally but in general go by how I am feeling).


DSM

thanks so much for your help and suggests. Absolutely invaluable.
thanks
Lindy