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I have a Phillips System One Remstar Auto and it seems I have to force my breathing. I still use it for camping. Switched to a Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto for my next machine and breathing seems smoother and easier. Seems to work with me more than against like the Phillips does.

It sounds like your pressures are needing to be moderately high. I'd be hoping to get a Resmed Aircurve 10 Vauto bilevel machine. With the bilevel machine you can set the machine to reduce pressure just on exhale since it can be hard to exhale against high pressure. You can do this with a standard auto machine also but the pressure drop is limited.

For second choice I'd be looking to get a Resmend Airsense 10 Autoset apap machine. Apparently the "For Her" version has additional settings.

I wish you luck on getting a good machine.

Rob K wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 04, 2020 9:26 pm

With the bilevel machine you can set the machine to reduce pressure just on exhale

Please stop telling people that. That is NOT how it works on a bilevel.

That is my understanding of it. Is it not the purpose of a bilevel machine to give pressure relief on exhale? I don't understand your post palerider. How does it work?

The following is a copy & paste from description of bipap or bilevel machine.


What's the difference between BiPAP therapy and CPAP therapy?
1. BiPAP mitigates one of the most common complaints of using a CPAP machine.

One of the most common complaints about CPAP machines is that patients find the constant singular pressure uncomfortable to breathe against. Exhaling can be challenging for some patients who are using CPAP devices at higher pressures.

But using a BiPAP machine, patients can breathe easier as the machine reduces the pressure level during exhalation, allowing the patient to exhale more easily and breathe more comfortably.

Rob K wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 04, 2020 11:32 pm

That is my understanding of it. Is it not the purpose of a bilevel machine to give pressure relief on exhale? I don't understand your post palerider. How does it work?

No, that's not what the purpose of a bilevel machine is.

The problem with dumbing down things is that people don't understand what the actual function is anymore.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdeOiDJmbrk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-SlO2dU8Og

I see what you mean, there are other purposes for bilevel machine. Funny, I lost half a nights sleep studying and wondering what was wrong each time I woke. I learned a lot. lol Thanks for the video links on bilevel machines.

arhdc wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 04, 2020 12:10 pm

I am certain that when the used machine that I returned was unpacked some tech smelled it and was certain that I was just making an excuse to get a new machine.

This was actually similar to my experience today at the Hospital Sleep Clinic Department. The person I spoke with on the phone Monday about the smell issue and the fact the machine seemed to be labouring was wonderful in booking me an appointment. The person today however downplayed the issue and told me she "doubts the machine would smell like cigarettes" and even sighed when I asked to test the replacement machine. Until she turned the Dreamstation on and changed her tune instantly telling me she could definitely see why I brought it back in.

So just a little update, I received a Resmed Airsense 10 CPAP machine as a replacement for the Dreamstation. This one definitely doesn't smell like cigarettes. About to settle in for the night for my first sleep with it after very minimal sleep since last Thursday. Thank you once more to everything that replied and help alleviate some of my worries/overthinking the last few days. This forum really has been incredibly helpful in my journey so far.

Rob K wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 05, 2020 8:33 am

I see what you mean, there are other purposes for bilevel machine. Funny, I lost half a nights sleep studying and wondering what was wrong each time I woke. I learned a lot. lol Thanks for the video links on bilevel machines.

In essence, the purpose of a bilevel machine is to provide breathing support (Pressure Support, PS) on inhale (S,VAuto), and in some cases, to breathe for you (ASV, ST, *VAPS), when you don't, or can't, or to provide breathing assistance when you have lung diseases, like COPD (S, CPOD). There are many different types of bilevel machines, performing many different functions.

As I explained before, With a bilevel, you set a resting pressure, (EPAP) and then an inhalation pressure, (PS) which only happens when the machine senses you're starting to inhale.

This is actually how Resmed CPAPs work, even though the settings are referenced differently.