BiPap compared to CPAP

I was on a CPAP a few years ago and then went off for a few years and now I have sleep apnea again and this time they put me on a BIPAP. That breathes in and out with you. I don't care for it. It totally dries my nose up. Does anyone else have this problem?

I use a humidifier with my bi-pap machine. It helps with my sinus problems. Also, I switched from nasal pillows to a dreamseal-type mask which covers the nose area. It's easier on my sinus' than the nasal pillows were.

I myself don't like breathing on Bi-pap. I use CPAP, 10cwp with great success. The problem with Bi-pap is the 2 levels can require you to follow your breathing with the machine. Not very comfotable or natural. If your nose is drying out you probably have a mouth leak, or mask leak. This will increase the flow and create a turbulent flow through the nasal passages. A humidifer will help. If you sleep with a partner, ask them to check you at night to see if there is a leak.
Why are you on Bipap now instead of CPA?. Did you have a difficult time in the sleep lab? Sometimes a tech will switch to Bipap during the titration if the patient is having problems or for higher pressures.

Good Luck and hang in there.

Bob

I couldn't tolerate the c-pap at all, because I had to have it at such a high pressure, and since I tend to be claustrophobic, it didn't work for me. I happen to like the bi-pap. You can talk with it, sneeze, cough, whatever, where the c-pap, you had to keep your mouth closed all the time. I've learned to breath with it. It's amazing how one can learn to sleep with those headgear. At least they're more comfortable than the old kind. I was given one set where you put the tubes in your nose like a cannula. I couldn't stand that. Does anyone use one like that. I sounded like Darth Vader when I tried to use that thing, and it just aggravated my sinus' even more. I admire anyone that can tolerate the c-pap at high pressures. I sure couldn't.