Progression from CPAP to BIPAP to ASV?

I'm doing very well with straight CPAP at 13. However, I was wondering whether with long term use it becomes necessary to raise the pressure, switch to a BIPAP, and ultimately starting using an ASV due to centrals caused by higher pressures needed over time. Is that a natural progression for many people? Just wondering what the future might hold.

In the three years that I have been reading these boards, I have not seen any evidence that this happens. Some of the people here have been on CPAP since it was invented!

I lived in Pasadena many years ago when I first came to the US. Did you go to PHS?

Bev

Thanks. Santa Monica HS.

Good question, Breathe Jimbo! And one might logically infer that there is a progression.

Why? Well most people who end up on ASV tend to start with CPAP/BiPAP and then move to it. One reason people move to ASV is that it has only been available for use in the US for the past three years. So, people who might have been on BiPAP units (with S/T capability) but needed more can now move to ASV units.

Another reason is that insurance companies here in the states often require proof that CPAP/BiPAP/BiPAP ST units do not work before they will pay for the MUCH more expensive ASV units. Thus, someone who has very clear problems with central apneas must go through the progression.

And sometimes, use of a lower therapy mode does address the issue. Breathing more normally may be all the individual needs to breathe more normally during the night.

But (just based on what I see here) most people (90%) find CPAP sufficient. Of the remaining 10%, most people (90%) find BiPAP sufficient. There is a handful of us on this forum who use ASV units. And we are here because we had to research and ask questions and struggle to attain some answers. So, we have a higher than normal number participating.

By way of example, my sleep lab handles more ASV titrations than normal because they handle cases for a very good neurological practice that focuses on sleep issues. And even they only do two or three ASV titrations per month.

Thanks for the info JohnBFisher.
Mary Z.

Thank you, JB, for the info.