Who Made Your CPAP/APAP/BiPAP Machine?

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 2:08 am

I have a Respironics Auto but a single pressure works best for me.

NightHawk, the picture indicates you are using a Respironics Plus but I thought you were using a Respironics Auto. Also, why is the Respironics Auto working better for you than the Bipap?

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 6:20 am

Thank you, Yoga. Correction applied. Obviously, I haven't paid enough attention to my profile. Also changed my mask to the Swift which is what I've used consistently for the past couple of weeks, and which is now my preferred interface.

As for the BiPAP Auto, I guess don't really know for sure that the Remstar Auto works better, but I've had success after switching and been able to get my apnea events down to a low level.

The problem when using the BiPAP-Auto was that I just couldn't successfully raise the pressure, and when I ran out of other ideas decided to try another machine. The real culprit turned out to be my full face mask which induced apneas with pressure increases. I didn't know that at the time I switched though, and only realized it a couple of weeks after changing machines. Long story short, my AHI at a pressure of 4 cm ran averaged about 15 with the nasal mask, and now runs consistently at 5 or less with the Remstar auto-ranging between 5 and 12 cm.

Like a lot of things about xPAP, ya just have to go with what works. The trick is finding what works, and that seems to be a trial and error proposition, as expensive as that is.

Regards,
Bill

Yoga · Post by **Yoga** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 9:38 pm

So glad to hear you are doing much better, Nighhawkeye. Why not try the Swift with the Bipap and see if this was indeed the problem and let us know. What full face mask caused the problem?

I used to use an Ultra Mirage but the dry mouth which did not occur at first later caused a lot of discomfort. I am not a mouth breather and leaks did not seem to be a problem. I am now using the Swift mask all of the time now with no dry mouth problems.

It's a shame you had to spend so much money on the machines. It's too bad there is not a way to try out different machines in order to find out the best machine for a particular individual in a less expensive way.

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sat Mar 11, 2006 10:40 pm

Thanks, Yoga.

My problem with the Ultra Mirage Full Face Mask was caused by the fact that at higher pressures, in order to minimize leaks, I had to tighten the mask down enough that my lower jaw ended up being pushed back a little. Not a problem with the mask design at all, just the mechanics of the situation.

Here's what I posted on it at the time:
viewtopic.php?t=6954&postdays=0&postord ... ea&start=0

I went back and reread the entire thread (two full pages worth). It was a fascinating thread (to me at least). A lot of folks came out of hiding on that one who either knew they had the same problem or suspected it.

I'll give the BiPAP a try again one of these days when I'm comfortable that enough other factors are under control. The data from the BiPAP-Auto did at times look like my apnea was significantly reduced at the higher pressures, but at the time it was just unpredictable. Overall, at the time I felt much worse with it in auto mode, so I reverted to straight CPAP.

I suspect now though that I won't really like BiPAP mode, for the same reason that I don't like C-flex. Breathing with C-flex turned on, at any level, just isn't right for me.

Yoga wrote:It's a shame you had to spend so much money on the machines.

But life is good, and I'm finally getting effective treatment and feeling the better for it.

Regards,
Bill

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Mar 12, 2006 8:02 pm

Bill,

I use the following chinstrap to keep the Swift mask from riding up in the back.

It contours and expands to fit the chin, is a little stretchy, and very comfortable.

Respironics Chin Strap
P/N 302175
Lot No. R0425903
White

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:37 pm

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:43 pm

tweety · Post by **tweety** » Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:10 pm

Hi I'm very new to this , so plz bare with me..

PEELS · Post by **PEELS** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:28 am

Bill,

Keep up the surveys. They are interesting to me as well as informative. For a minute it seemed as though someone was doing a research paper for a college course. Might not be a bad idea if anyone was so inclined. There is such a wealth of information in this forum - that is made up by all of us. They are especially interesting when they lead to more discussion and we see different viewpoints. For some responses to topics on this forum I sometimes say myself "Gee, I never thought of it that way." (Ok, I tend to talk to myself I guess ).

What would also be interesting is for someone to gather up all the surveys from this forum over the past year and post the answers in a word file or spreadsheet. Then resurvey the most interesting ones and ask for responses from newer members or those who have not responded to the original survey. Then perhaps compare both surveys to see if or how the responses changed over time.

Thanks,

George

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:34 am

Thanks, George.

I'm not doing a college paper, but being statistically minded I've had these questions come up in my own mind from time to time. At first I just assumed that the admins here had polls stashed away somewhere, but when I looked I couldn't find anything.

PEELS wrote:What would also be interesting is for someone to gather up all the surveys from this forum over the past year and post the answers in a word file or spreadsheet. Then resurvey the most interesting ones and ask for responses from newer members or those who have not responded to the original survey. Then perhaps compare both surveys to see if or how the responses changed over time.

I've seen that in other forums before, but then the information tends to be somewhat dated. Also, it ends up being the admins conducting the polls rather than just any member. Here, unless someone drags back an old poll, the results tend to reflect the status of current members only. I kinda like the arrangement here. It seems to foster involvement on the part of members.

Regards,
Bill

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 9:54 pm

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 12:23 pm

It's been a while.

ufo13 · Post by **ufo13** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 6:14 pm

NightHawkeye:

1. Present machine - Res-med S8 vantage w/HH.
2. Prior machine----- Respironics auto w c/flex w/HH.
3. 3rd back----------- PB420G w/passoverHum.
4. 4th back----------- Sullivan S7 Lightweight (Res-med)
5 Masks-------------- Last 6 Mirage Swift Pillows.

Best to you,

Steve,
ufo13

NightHawkeye · Post by **NightHawkeye** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 6:34 pm

ufo13 wrote:1. Present machine - Res-med S8 vantage w/HH.
2. Prior machine----- Respironics auto w c/flex w/HH.
3. 3rd back----------- PB420G w/passoverHum.
4. 4th back----------- Sullivan S7 Lightweight (Res-med)
5 Masks-------------- Last 6 Mirage Swift Pillows.

Well, Steve, with 12 years and 4 machines, that averages to three years per machine. How many failed versus how many times did you just opt for newer technology and newer features. I'm particularly curious about the Respironics auto.

What's your opinion of the various manufacturers?

Regards,
Bill

Who Made Your CPAP/APAP/BiPAP Machine?

Who Made Your CPAP Machine?