BiPap Heavy pressure

AnnaD · Post by **AnnaD** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 9:38 pm

Regarding my spouse. He just got his Puritan Bennett GoodKnight 425w/humidifier. They had a hard time fititng him with a face mask. He is trying my Breeze with nasal pillows, but also has the Swift to try out. It didn't work out as well as my Breeze. His pressure is set to 22/18. After convincing him to get his studies, and agreeing to have my own tests, he is really not taking thtis very well at all. I cannot relate that much because my pressures are nothing in comparison.

We talked with the doctor who says hubby can come in and discuss possible surgery to do a cleanout and cut out some of the tissue causing the problem. This will allow him to have lower pressures.

Has anyone had the 2nd procedure? I've heard about the 1st one.

Those of you with high pressures - anyone have any words of encouragement?

Anna

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:07 pm

I agree with the doctor, he should see a good ENT about some surgery that could possibly lower his pressure requirements. It most likely won't cure him but if it could cut his pressure in half that would be a huge improvement in my opinion.

Most apnea is caused by the tongue falling into the back of the throat, for that reason the UPPP surgery is not very successful by itself. If I were to have
any surgery done it might be a LAUP and the Genioglossus Tongue Advancement procedure. I'm told the GA procedure is less invasive than a UPPP and far less pain.

http://www.sleepsurgery.com/genionglossus.html

Moogy · Post by **Moogy** » Fri Nov 24, 2006 10:18 pm

Please reassure him that it will take a while to get accustomed to such high pressure, but eventually he should be able to tolerate it. Does he have a ramp feature?

If he continues to have trouble adjusting, he could lobby his doctor for a prescription for an autobipap. That can enable him to spend a good bit of the time at lower pressures. It is important to make any machine change BEFORE the insurance pays for it, usually within the first 30 days.

Moogy

offlineon · Post by **offlineon** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:09 am

Being new to high pressure therapy, I know what your husband is going through. Despite this, I dearly wish I had started pap therapy years ago. I knew I had problems, but I kept putting it off for years. Eventually the hens come home to the roost - big time! This condition has to be treated.

On a more positive note, there is good news. The body does get used to the pressure, particularly at night. While adjusting the ramp time can help, I'd be trying to get an auto Bi-Level/Bi-PAP. This can reduce nightly pressures until they are really needed. Some models even "soften" the pressures during the breathing cycle, to make breathing more "natural" and comfortable for some.

dsm · Post by **dsm** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 2:01 am

[quote="offlineon"]Being new to high pressure therapy, I know what your husband is going through. Despite this, I dearly wish I had started pap therapy years ago. I knew I had problems, but I kept putting it off for years. Eventually the hens come home to the roost - big time! This condition has to be treated.

On a more positive note, there is good news. The body does get used to the pressure, particularly at night. While adjusting the ramp time can help, I'd be trying to get an auto Bi-Level/Bi-PAP. This can reduce nightly pressures until they are really needed. Some models even "soften" the pressures during the breathing cycle, to make breathing more "natural" and comfortable for some.

AnnaD · Post by **AnnaD** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:11 am

Thank you for the suggestions. The ENT doctor returned our call, and we will be seeing him this next week. At least we will have a better understanding when he goes to the office.

I see that all of the responses came from those who use a mask instead of the nasal pillows.

TurboHonda · Post by **TurboHonda** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 10:38 am

[quote="AnnaD"]Thank you for the suggestions. The ENT doctor returned our call, and we will be seeing him this next week. At least we will have a better understanding when he goes to the office.

I see that all of the responses came from those who use a mask instead of the nasal pillows.

tooly125 · Post by **tooly125** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 12:25 pm

Anna,

Before I got my auto my pressure was set at 19. Now with the auto my pressure stays at around 15(probably because I sleep in my side).

While being on straight cpap at 19 I became so used to the pressure that I did not even use the ramp button anymore and sometimes woke not being able to tell if the machine was on anymore.

I use the Hybrid for my mask and although I could breath through my mouth I don't but I think the extra air space that the mask has around my mouth helps soften the effects of the pressure by having a chamber for the pressurized air to go into before it goes up my nose.
I tried a nasal interface once but at 19 it just dint work out for me.
I also had success with the F&P 431 FF mask.

My ENT told me flat out that I was not a candidate for the surgery.

If it were me I would go for the Auto and try a FF mask before I had the surgery.

IORHHI · Post by **IORHHI** » Sat Nov 25, 2006 1:06 pm

I was warned by the sleep lab people and others here that with a higher pressure, the nasal pillows and inserts were not a good choice. "You'll think your head is exploding" is what the RT told me. My pressure is 15cm and I'm saving for an auto.
Barbara