New Gal needs a Smart Buddy

Is there something special about the Respironics BiPAP Auto SV machine or would a ResMed VPAP Adapt SV be just as good?

Are there ASVs from other manufacturers?

jdm2857, you and are correct ldj325. There are currently four different ASV models on the market. The first to come to market was Resmed's VPAP AdaptSV unit. It has been replaced by the VPAP AdaptSV Enhanced model. Then Respironics came out with their BiPAP AutoSV model, which has since been replaced by the BiPAP AutoSV Advanced model. You will probably find the Resmed VPAP AdaptSV unit will be the least expensive. But it never hurts to hunt for any of them.

And yes, I do know all the names and numbers and specs and facts and figures can be overwhelming. Trust me, I know because I've had to learn right there with everyone else. Doctors will often provide the basics. The Respiratory Therapist (if you use a Durable Medical Equipment supplier) can fill in some of the gaps. But few of them LIVE with the units. So, what we can provide is the day to day experience of living with one of these units.

Phillips Respironics (generally shortened to Respironics) and Resmed are two different manufacturers of these positive airway pressure (PAP) machines.

xPAP - Since there are several different modes of therapy, we often refer to these devices as "xPAP". Which just means a machine that delivers a Positive Airway Pressure.

CPAP - If the machine provides a continuous positive airway pressure, it is know as a CPAP unit.

APAP - If the pressure can adjust up and down based on the patients needs, it is known as an AutoPAP unit (or APAP).

BiPAP - If the machine (or "generator") delivers two breathing levels - a higher inspiration breath followed by a lower expiration breath - it is known generically as a BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure machine. Respironics uses the trademark of BiPAP. Resmed uses VPAP as their trademark for this type of machine.

BiPAP S/T - If the machine has a timed breathing rate, then it is known as a BiPAP S/T (or VPAP S/T) model. Not only does it change pressure when you breath "spontaneously", but it will change to the inhalation pressure if you do not breathe soon enough (this is the "timed" mode).

ASV - As I mentioned is the Adaptive Servo-Ventilation (ASV) model. As previously noted, this type of machine tracks your breathing and will increase pressure up to the top level of your pressure when you fail to breathe. Essentially it attempts to help sustain your breathing. By doing this, it helps break the overshoot / undershoot condition that leads to a central apnea.

A VERY short course is in order to help you understand central sleep apnea. In your case, the medication you take, while not a full scale opiate does have a tendency to depress the central nervous system (CNS). Your brain stem is involved in the process of monitoring and regulating your breathing while you sleep. This CNS depressant causes you to breathe slowly. This will increase the CO2 level in your blood. (Surprisingly your body ignores the O2 level and only tracks the CO2 level to trigger breathing). When it increases enough, it will trigger a breath. Your body may overshoot and trigger faster breathing. This will decrease the CO2 level. That drive to breathe is decreased and the CNS, which is depressed, does not take over. You will then "undershoot" the amount of breathing you need to do. The CO2 level raises again, you will then overshoot, and then undershoot ... etc. All night long. Unfortunately, as you already know, each of these apnea events can cause your body to arouse from one level of sleep to a lighter level of sleep. This disrupts the normal sleep cycle that we all need to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to face the day.

As you can see from my signature, I also use a ASV unit. I've had to deal with central sleep apnea for several years now. I've recently (this past December) moved to the ASV unit from a BiPAP unit. It has been a life saver for me. Literally.

I will be happy to help explain what these machines are and help answer questions you might have.

that was so informative John!

I noticed that you have been on xpap for twenty years, and you have been dealing with central apnea for several years..

Do you mind me asking how it presented itself?

Did it sort of sneak up on you, and you started with straight OSA and then got CSA later or did you have both in the beginning?

Do you know what caused your CSA?

Im glad your machine is working so well for you, and I hope Beth finds one which will save her too.

elena

John,

I knew if I just started posting I'd muddle it up just enough, that someone truly knowledgeable would jump in and straighten things out. Thank you.

I don't want to hijack the thread (so if this is inappropriate let me know and I'll start my own thread), but I'd love to know the level of improvements in going from the BiPAP autoSV to the Advanced version, and the same thing with the VPAP AdaptSV vs Enhanced version.

WOW this is me but I have a V pap machine and cant seem to use it. It blows air so hard I cant catch my breathe and yes im on SUB and have been for 7 or 8 years at least. I opted to take it for pain as the hassle of finding a pain doc was getting to me and I was having probs with the Avinza. After I went off of it cold turkey it took 5 days before my bowels started working again and then the w/d's set it. The SUB is used in Europe for years for the bone pain I have from Lupus and now I had a sleep study which said I was having central events.

I have no insurance now and I was told this machine was very pricey.

PLEASE SOMEONE help me im dying from lack of sleep. I cannot get use to the machine I think it may even be caliberated incorrectly, it blows air so hard even my hubby who has obstrucrtive couldnt use it.

What do ppl do with no insurence,????????????????? a study is 1400 I asked a doc in Dallas.

Anyone with help please respond and Oh high im DIZZYCHICK and im very tired and worn out as I get 1- 2 hours of sleep MAYBE a night and yes im foggy all the time and drowsey all the time. Falling asleep with a cig in my hand.... yep on the diabetes which started after the onset of all of this mentioned and I have burned every blanket in my house.


thanks for reading !