Bipap / Cpap wows

Aqua · Post by **Aqua** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 6:16 am

I have a bit of question. My doctor recently sent me in for another sleep study and I was told that CPAP is no longer a viable option for me. I was ordered to use a BIPAP w/ o2 instead of the CPAP.

So I have purchased a brand new mask, BIPAP, humid, tubing and filters.

My question is this: Can my CPAP be configured with an a pressure that in a pinch or while traveling I can use? Is it better to just deal with the BIPAP only and try and sell the CPAP? I know I can't really sell it here, but someone has to need a spare for traveling, parts, etc.

Thanks.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 7:26 am

Personally, I would keep the CPAP as an emergency backup. What the hay, its bought and paid for. Pooh happens from time to time and you may find it come in handy some day.

On the other hand, it doesn't hurt to mention what brand and model CPAP you currently have.

You "could" check w/Hospice or other charitable health organizations in your area to see if they have a low-income person needing a CPAP w/o the means to purchase one.

And there are always the eBay and yahooauctions where you could offer it for sale. Oooops! I forgot, you can't sell xPAPs on eBay but you can yahooauctions and also craigslist.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 2:53 pm

Aqua, I would say it depends on why your doctor switched you to bi-pap. But if you were comfortable with cpap the majority of the time, I wouldn't think it would hurt you to use it a couple of travel days.

But after using Bi-pap, you might want to try the cpap for a night or so to make sure you still tolerate it. Before taking it on a trip.

I agree, if you want to sell it, you can post the make/model here, and or, list it on yahooauctions.

CollegeGirl · Post by **CollegeGirl** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 4:47 pm

Aqua, if your doctor put you on BiPap because you need a pressure higher than 20 to keep your airway open, then CPAP would not be able to do that. CPAP machines only go up to a pressures of 20 cms. If you require a pressure higher than that, you could (and probably would) have events if you went back to straight CPAP.

However, if you don't require a pressure higher than 20, and your doctor put you on BiPap only because she thought it would make you more comfortable, then CPAP would still keep your airway open at the same pressure. If you're not worried about the comfort factor, I would think using your CPAP as a travel machine would be just fine.

offlineon · Post by **offlineon** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 8:00 pm

Aqua wrote:So I have purchased a brand new mask, BIPAP, humid, tubing and filters.

Hi Aqua. You have some good advice there. What mask did you get, out of interest?

My 2 cents:

Most of those who are "told" to get a bipap by their specialist possibly should ask their specialist's opinion first. I know this is not much help, but there might be reasons why using a CPAP may no longer be a good idea for you. It might be perfectly OK to keep it as an emergency backup; on the logic that some therapy is better than no therapy; but using it deliberately (for travel) might not be worth it health wise. It depends on your medical needs.

While BIPAP works for CPAP users, CPAP does not always work for those who <u>need</u> BIPAP.

- I'm not a doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!