bi pap machines
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TamraOH
bi pap machines
i visited my doctor yesterday and told him how i continually open my mouth during the night with my nose mask. i also told him i'm not having any luck with my full face mask because of leakage. He said he was gonna put me on a bi pap machine and that should help me. I haven't received it yet. does anyone out there know about these bi pap machines or has anyone out there tried one?
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wading thru the muck!
- Posts: 2799
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2004 11:42 am
Tam,
I have NO idea how a bi-pap would lessen mouth and/or mask leaks. An auto-pap might if it results in an average lower pressure.
Please ask your Doc what his rational is for the bi-pap and report back to the forum. There are many of us sitting on the edge of our seats to hear this one.
I have NO idea how a bi-pap would lessen mouth and/or mask leaks. An auto-pap might if it results in an average lower pressure.
Please ask your Doc what his rational is for the bi-pap and report back to the forum. There are many of us sitting on the edge of our seats to hear this one.
Last edited by wading thru the muck! on Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Sincerely,
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
wading thru the muck of the sleep study/DME/Insurance money pit!
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Tamra, what machine are you currently using and at what pressure? I found one of your first posts where you said you do have a heated humidifier, but I couldn't find anything about the name of the machine you're using now, or what pressure.
Also, what's the name of the full face mask you tried using. Do you remember what size it was?
Also, what's the name of the full face mask you tried using. Do you remember what size it was?
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Guest
Hello all,
Current machine and configuration:
RemStar Plus with heated humidifier addition (humidifier really seemed to help dry mouth (thanks to all who helped me on that).
Respironics full face mask (leaked really bad with slightest movement).
Note: just received a Ultra Mirage Full Face today and gonna try it (hope its better).
Pressure: 12
Humidifier: 3
as far as the bi pap machine goes, i'm totally lost! in my home town there is a cpap supplier rep that has given me alot of ideas to try with my other cpap problems. when i receive my bi pap machine i am gonna call her to see if she will help me set the bi pap up and clue me in as to why the doctor thinks this is what i need. as soon as i know more, i will write back!
Current machine and configuration:
RemStar Plus with heated humidifier addition (humidifier really seemed to help dry mouth (thanks to all who helped me on that).
Respironics full face mask (leaked really bad with slightest movement).
Note: just received a Ultra Mirage Full Face today and gonna try it (hope its better).
Pressure: 12
Humidifier: 3
as far as the bi pap machine goes, i'm totally lost! in my home town there is a cpap supplier rep that has given me alot of ideas to try with my other cpap problems. when i receive my bi pap machine i am gonna call her to see if she will help me set the bi pap up and clue me in as to why the doctor thinks this is what i need. as soon as i know more, i will write back!
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Tamra, I'm not a doctor or health professional, so I'm just guessing... my guess is that your doctor probably thinks that since a bipap can be set to give a different pressure for exhalation than it does for inhalation, that might lessen your mouth leaks. For example, he'll tell the DME to set a certain pressure for inhalation and then will probably pick a pressure 4 notches or so lower, for exhalation.
Personally, I don't think that's going to solve either your mouth leak problems or mask leak problems. Finding a full face mask that works well for you is a better course of action, imho. The Ultra Mirage FF (full face) masks come in many different sizes. If the one they bring you is too large or too leaky, and has "Standard" in its name, ask to try a smaller size and/or a size that has "Shallow" in the size name. Like "Small Shallow" instead of "Small Standard".
Also, ask them to fit the mask on you with you lying down in sleeping position. If you try to fit a mask while sitting up, the fit changes (sometimes drastically) when you lie down because face and neck muscles change position - gravity! Straps tend to tighten on you when you lie down, compared to how they feel sitting up. Also, while you are lying down, fiddle around quite a bit with the vertical plastic bar that connects the "forehead pad" to the mask. That tilts the mask. Often getting the right tilt to the mask is more important than tightening any straps. In fact, a good mask that fits you nicely and has a well made cushion should not have to be strapped down tightly or hurt your face to seal well.
Far be it from me to second guess a doctor, but the machine I'd be asking for. if I were you, if the whole point of changing is to get less pressure on exhalation, is the Respironics REMstar autopap with C-Flex. The C-Flex feature can be set to drop the pressure some each time you exhale (which should suit the doctor if a drop in exhalation pressure is what he wants you to have.) At your prescribed pressure of 12, there's really no good reason (imho) to choose bi-pap over that autopap with C-Flex. The pressure spread between inhalation and exhalation can be set much farther apart with a bi-pap, but heck, at your pressure of 12, it's not like you are trying to breathe out against stratospheric pressures that are often the reason for a doctor to switch a patient to bi-pap. Unless you have some kind of severe pulmonary condition, C-Flex would probably do just as well for you. The key though is whether or not you can convince the doctor to prescribe an autopap with C-Flex. Not a BiPap. An AutoPap.
With an autopap you might very well spend a good part or even most of your night sleeping at pressures considerably lower than 12. The autopap will be "reading" changes in your breathing pattern while you sleep, and delivering only as much pressure as necessary to keep your throat open. You might spend most of your night with the machine having to blow only 7, or 8, or 9 to get the job done. And going up to 11 or 12 only when actually needed. The lower the pressure, the less chance of mask leaks. If the autopap also has C-Flex (at this time there's only one autopap that can use C-Flex at the same time it's running as an autopap - the one I named above) then you'll also be getting the advantage of less pressure delivered on every exhalation...kind of like a poor man's bipap.
If you also get the software to use with an autopap, it's like having a mini sleep study at home - overnight data that you could look at on your own computer the next day. That can be very helpful if you want to take more charge of your own treatment, or even just see for yourself on your own computer, how it's going. Doctors are often too busy to take much interest in anything more than diagnosing you and then tossing you into the hands of the DME for the equipment. The doctor usually doesn't take much interest in the nuts and bolts of the treatment itself. You have to be your own advocate there. Some doctors are open to the patient's suggestions and some resent such a thing. Hope yours is sensible.
Personally, I don't think that's going to solve either your mouth leak problems or mask leak problems. Finding a full face mask that works well for you is a better course of action, imho. The Ultra Mirage FF (full face) masks come in many different sizes. If the one they bring you is too large or too leaky, and has "Standard" in its name, ask to try a smaller size and/or a size that has "Shallow" in the size name. Like "Small Shallow" instead of "Small Standard".
Also, ask them to fit the mask on you with you lying down in sleeping position. If you try to fit a mask while sitting up, the fit changes (sometimes drastically) when you lie down because face and neck muscles change position - gravity! Straps tend to tighten on you when you lie down, compared to how they feel sitting up. Also, while you are lying down, fiddle around quite a bit with the vertical plastic bar that connects the "forehead pad" to the mask. That tilts the mask. Often getting the right tilt to the mask is more important than tightening any straps. In fact, a good mask that fits you nicely and has a well made cushion should not have to be strapped down tightly or hurt your face to seal well.
Far be it from me to second guess a doctor, but the machine I'd be asking for. if I were you, if the whole point of changing is to get less pressure on exhalation, is the Respironics REMstar autopap with C-Flex. The C-Flex feature can be set to drop the pressure some each time you exhale (which should suit the doctor if a drop in exhalation pressure is what he wants you to have.) At your prescribed pressure of 12, there's really no good reason (imho) to choose bi-pap over that autopap with C-Flex. The pressure spread between inhalation and exhalation can be set much farther apart with a bi-pap, but heck, at your pressure of 12, it's not like you are trying to breathe out against stratospheric pressures that are often the reason for a doctor to switch a patient to bi-pap. Unless you have some kind of severe pulmonary condition, C-Flex would probably do just as well for you. The key though is whether or not you can convince the doctor to prescribe an autopap with C-Flex. Not a BiPap. An AutoPap.
With an autopap you might very well spend a good part or even most of your night sleeping at pressures considerably lower than 12. The autopap will be "reading" changes in your breathing pattern while you sleep, and delivering only as much pressure as necessary to keep your throat open. You might spend most of your night with the machine having to blow only 7, or 8, or 9 to get the job done. And going up to 11 or 12 only when actually needed. The lower the pressure, the less chance of mask leaks. If the autopap also has C-Flex (at this time there's only one autopap that can use C-Flex at the same time it's running as an autopap - the one I named above) then you'll also be getting the advantage of less pressure delivered on every exhalation...kind of like a poor man's bipap.
If you also get the software to use with an autopap, it's like having a mini sleep study at home - overnight data that you could look at on your own computer the next day. That can be very helpful if you want to take more charge of your own treatment, or even just see for yourself on your own computer, how it's going. Doctors are often too busy to take much interest in anything more than diagnosing you and then tossing you into the hands of the DME for the equipment. The doctor usually doesn't take much interest in the nuts and bolts of the treatment itself. You have to be your own advocate there. Some doctors are open to the patient's suggestions and some resent such a thing. Hope yours is sensible.
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jitu shah
Bi-PAP machine
Dear all,
As I was looking for a forum where members may be using BI-PAP machines ,I came across this site.My wife who is using a BI-PAP since last 12 months as a safety blanket for keeping her CO2 level in blood low-this is because her lungs are very weak and has been affected by pneumonia twice.At this moment her pressure settings are 13cmwc and 3cmwc for IPAP and EPAP respectively.She uses a nasal mask now which is quite convinient.These dual pressure system enhances her breathing with less effort-less strain to her lungs.
Thanks
As I was looking for a forum where members may be using BI-PAP machines ,I came across this site.My wife who is using a BI-PAP since last 12 months as a safety blanket for keeping her CO2 level in blood low-this is because her lungs are very weak and has been affected by pneumonia twice.At this moment her pressure settings are 13cmwc and 3cmwc for IPAP and EPAP respectively.She uses a nasal mask now which is quite convinient.These dual pressure system enhances her breathing with less effort-less strain to her lungs.
Thanks
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rested gal
- Posts: 12881
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2004 10:14 pm
- Location: Tennessee
Thanks for the interesting post, jitu. The problem you described your wife having (weak lungs) - more difficulty exhaling against pressure than those who go to Bipap or a machine with C-flex mainly for comfort - is one of several specific reasons a bi-level machine like a "BiPap" can be the best type of machine for some patients with serious lung problems. Your wife apparently really needs an unusually wide range for dropping the exhalation pressure...the kind of precise IPAP/EPAP settings that only a bi-level device can offer. I hope things are going well for her.
bipap
I always like reading posts about bipaps, since it's what I have.
I have avoided the whole mask compliance thing, rested gal, mainly because I wanted to give what I have a chance. I'm not above admitting only half paying attention while browsing the posts about the different masks, and as a result, I've forgotten all the recommendations. Now I'll have go back over them to remember and learn. It may be time to consider getting another.
For the past three nights I've woken finding that I've managed to take that mask off in my sleep, finding it lying right next to me on my bed, mocking me! This hasn't happened since I first started in mid-November. I had to laugh, in that this happened following reading one forum thread about masks being taken off. Power of unconscious suggestion?? Wow. Hope this stops soon.
Even before this I continued to wake up in the middle of the night at least once, feeling the "pressure" (18/14) and some musical-sounding leaks. Tightening the straps seemed to help the leaks, but I still wake up. When I get frustrated, though, I think back on what it was like for my life before mid-November.....and then I don't feel so frustrated.
I have avoided the whole mask compliance thing, rested gal, mainly because I wanted to give what I have a chance. I'm not above admitting only half paying attention while browsing the posts about the different masks, and as a result, I've forgotten all the recommendations. Now I'll have go back over them to remember and learn. It may be time to consider getting another.
For the past three nights I've woken finding that I've managed to take that mask off in my sleep, finding it lying right next to me on my bed, mocking me! This hasn't happened since I first started in mid-November. I had to laugh, in that this happened following reading one forum thread about masks being taken off. Power of unconscious suggestion?? Wow. Hope this stops soon.
Even before this I continued to wake up in the middle of the night at least once, feeling the "pressure" (18/14) and some musical-sounding leaks. Tightening the straps seemed to help the leaks, but I still wake up. When I get frustrated, though, I think back on what it was like for my life before mid-November.....and then I don't feel so frustrated.
Wow. Hope I'm doing as well after using my bipap for 5 years. That's great. After a few crappy nights the past few days, your happy ending gives me encouragement.53now wrote:My medical qualifications are ......Zero .............However I have used a Bipap for 5 years. I can "mouth breathe" with the best of them !!! My pressure is 15/11. I use a Respironics Tranquility Bipap.
Getting back to the original poster... I would ask how your doc thinks that switching to a BiPap is going to affect mouth leaks.
Mouth leaks are going to get "fixed" one of two ways...
Full Face mask. Or some method to keep your mouth closed. (some folks resort to tape!!)
To me the way that your doc is going at this, you are going to have a hard time with compliance, because he is not addressing the problem...
Mouth leaks are going to get "fixed" one of two ways...
Full Face mask. Or some method to keep your mouth closed. (some folks resort to tape!!)
To me the way that your doc is going at this, you are going to have a hard time with compliance, because he is not addressing the problem...
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jitu shah
Bi-PAP machine
Dear all,
Yesterday I said something about a BI-PAP machine being used by my wife and a bit more.I have following queries,if anybody can answer/guideme to get the same.
The m/c being used is a Respironics madel PRO having a memory card.
is there someone who can interprete the dat free of charge?
What should be done if my wife has sleep apnea also?At times in the middle of the night when I am awake and find that thereis a continuous sound of the blower only and noe inhalation or exhileration for long time.
How to find the standard finger prints for the EPAP/IPAP settings?
Thanks.
jitu
Yesterday I said something about a BI-PAP machine being used by my wife and a bit more.I have following queries,if anybody can answer/guideme to get the same.
The m/c being used is a Respironics madel PRO having a memory card.
is there someone who can interprete the dat free of charge?
What should be done if my wife has sleep apnea also?At times in the middle of the night when I am awake and find that thereis a continuous sound of the blower only and noe inhalation or exhileration for long time.
How to find the standard finger prints for the EPAP/IPAP settings?
Thanks.
jitu
Re: Bi-PAP machine
Depends on the model... Some Respironics models only have compliance data (i.e. did you use it, and for how long) The Remstar Auto w/cflex has much more detailed data. There is a thread floating around here with folks that are willing to get the data off the card for you. I am one of them. Let us know what model and where you are, we can get you in touch with the person that is closest to you.jitu shah wrote:Dear all,
Yesterday I said something about a BI-PAP machine being used by my wife and a bit more.I have following queries,if anybody can answer/guideme to get the same.
The m/c being used is a Respironics madel PRO having a memory card.
is there someone who can interprete the dat free of charge?
What should be done if my wife has sleep apnea also?At times in the middle of the night when I am awake and find that thereis a continuous sound of the blower only and noe inhalation or exhileration for long time.
How to find the standard finger prints for the EPAP/IPAP settings?
Thanks.
jitu
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jitu shah
Re: Bi-PAP machine
Dear Mikesus,
It is Respironics make BIPAP PRO madel with Biflex.I live in India .The address is 202,Chitralekha Flats,Opp.Shatrunjay Towers,Satellite-132' Ring Rd,Ahmedabad-380015
Ph:9107826603200
Thanks.
Jitu
It is Respironics make BIPAP PRO madel with Biflex.I live in India .The address is 202,Chitralekha Flats,Opp.Shatrunjay Towers,Satellite-132' Ring Rd,Ahmedabad-380015
Ph:9107826603200
Thanks.
Jitu
Mikesus wrote:Depends on the model... Some Respironics models only have compliance data (i.e. did you use it, and for how long) The Remstar Auto w/cflex has much more detailed data. There is a thread floating around here with folks that are willing to get the data off the card for you. I am one of them. Let us know what model and where you are, we can get you in touch with the person that is closest to you.jitu shah wrote:Dear all,
Yesterday I said something about a BI-PAP machine being used by my wife and a bit more.I have following queries,if anybody can answer/guideme to get the same.
The m/c being used is a Respironics madel PRO having a memory card.
is there someone who can interprete the dat free of charge?
What should be done if my wife has sleep apnea also?At times in the middle of the night when I am awake and find that thereis a continuous sound of the blower only and noe inhalation or exhileration for long time.
How to find the standard finger prints for the EPAP/IPAP settings?
Thanks.
jitu
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