Respironics Pro 2 Bipap Bugs...

I have a new Respironics Pro 2 bipap, one week old (not the new bipap auto model) and have noticed something interesting. While the machine seem to work well, it has a quirky problem that I'm not sure is a defective machine or software bug. While in Epap (exhaling) mode the machine sometimes has a long delay switching back to Ipap pressure. I did some tests by purposely delaying inhaling after exhaling and sure enough, the machine did not switch back to Ipap until I finally took a forced deep breath (gasp). Changing the flex setting from 1 to 3 makes the problem worse and repeatable. It seems the flex technology that adjusts for breathing cycles appears not able to compensate for delays in breathing of 5 seconds or more. Basically the machine can't figure out if you are breathing in or out and does nothing. I woke up several nights feeling suffocated and couldn't figure out why. I plan to contact my DME supplier and get a new unit. Anyone else have this problem?

I had the bipap pro 2. It was similiar, but mine would actually stop, blower and all. It having an auto on feature, it would turn back on. It was new when I first had the problem. It was sent back to Respironics twice for repairs, once replacing the circuit board and a second time board and blower. Nine days after I got it from repair, it stopped again. I'm gonna try the new auto bipap, hopefully it will work. Ted said his works fine but has just had it the one night. If you can get another, I think I would try.
It never bothered me if it didn't swap from epap back to ipap to force breathing. The constant pressure still keeps the airway open and makes breathing natural. Think my biflex was set at either 1 or 2. Seems only the Synchrony actually forces breathing. Good luck.

Masked Ranger wrote:While in Epap (exhaling) mode the machine sometimes has a long delay switching back to Ipap pressure. I did some tests by purposely delaying inhaling after exhaling and sure enough, the machine did not switch back to Ipap until I finally took a forced deep breath (gasp).

Is this your first BiPAP? Are you saying it won't switch back to IPAP if you take a normal inhale instead of a forced breath/gasp? Its not clear if you are expecting your machine to do something it can't or if there is a possible problem. A regular BiPAP will only switch back to IPAP when you inhale- it is following your lead, not the other way around. This form of BiPAP is called Spontaneous- that is why you sometimes see regular BiPAP referred to as BiPAP S. Its default will be to stay at the EPAP setting, unless you are inhaling. You have to a BiPAP ST to have the machine take the lead- and even then it will be in Spontaneous mode most of the time, following your lead unless you don't take a breath within the set amount of time based on your BackUp Rate in Breaths per Minute (BPM). At that point, it switches to Timed mode and will alternate between IPAP & EPAP at the rate of BPM it is set at until it senses you either inhaling or exhaling- once you do, then you are back in the lead again. I am on a BiPAP ST (Synchrony) for CSA- I can test my machine by holding my breath to simulate an apnea. With my backup rate of 10 BPM, if I take longer then 6 seconds from the end of one inhale to the beginning of the next, my machine with switch into Timed mode to try to stimulate me to breath...which unfortunately for me, doesn't always happen- so even BiPAP ST cannot force you to breathe in the true sense of the word, though for most people, it is more sucessful.

Your BiPAP Pro II should be fairly sensitive to you inhaling & exhaling and you shouldn't notice much of a lag in IPAP kicking in when you start to inhale. The BiFlex settings only affect the switch from IPAP to EPAP- not EPAP to IPAP. I think yours has rise time settings also- that is the setting that affects how it feels when it switches from EPAP to IPAP. On my machine, it is a patient controllable setting- it ranges from 1 to 6. At a setting of 1, it feels like a very abrupt change- almost choppy; at 6, its as smooth as silk- as if you are gliding from EPAP to IPAP effortlessly....okay...just checked the BiPAP Pro user manual and it looks like they call the rise time "Comfort Control" and you have an option of 1, 2 or 3. Check the Comfort Control settings and see if adjusting them help the transition from EPAP to IPAP. You may have to have your DME make the adjustment- it looks like it can be set to either allow you to adjust it or it can be set to not allow you to adjust it, if I'm reading the manual correctly. I would almost bet they have it set at 1- and that would definantely not feel right to me either.

Right, none can actually force breathing. It can change from epap to ipap to encourage taking another breath. Also right that the machine mimicks breathing patterns.

Maybe I wasn't clear on the problem. I realize the unit responds to pressure differential changes, Ipap & Epap that is induced by the user. The problem with my machine is it hesitates for several seconds before switching back to Ipap pressure when trying to breath "in" causing low pressure, less than 4cm/h2o in the mask. Hence, suffocating feeling. Changing the Flex settings to 3, the max "softening" causes the hesitation to get worse. It could be a defective pressure sensor, softwear bug or just plain loose connection on a circuit board. Anyway... the unit isn't function properly. The unit is only a week old so returning it my DME isn't an issue.

What bothers me is Respironics just came out with a multi function Bi-pap Pro 2 with auto, cpap, bi-pap with flex that is slightly cheaper than the Pro 2 bi-pap I just got. Looks like Respironics is going to clear out it's old stock of old Pro 2's by dumping them on DME suppliers.

You are probably right there too masked ranger. The price range is real close now for the newer machine which adds auto along with the regular bipap mode. At some places, even cheaper. You should try turning the biflex completely off and see if that helps. If it still hesitates changing, I would return it for sure and hey, get the auto titrating unit. They will hesitate sometimes but after a few deep breaths, it should match your breathing so you don't even notice the air and changes.

Thanks "Guest" for the comment. I did research which included calling my DME... Apria Heathcare in Connecticut. I talked to a supervisor ...a person named Beth. She told me "Sorry but the machine you want is not available for at least two months please call back later". My dealing with Apria showed me they are a "Corp of Money Grubbing, Insurance Bilking, Liers and Care Less About Customer Needs"

She is wrong. Cpap.com has it at https://www.cpap.com/productpage/bipap- ... ifier.html If you contact Respironics, they will tell you the bipap auto was released 10-19-2005. In another thread, Ted, Titrator has one and tells about it. I just got one today and will use it as bipap tonight until I can get the auto set up.