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Permalink Reply by Judy on June 6, 2009 at 8:58am

Beth, have you gone back to your local DME supplier AND your sleep doctor about this? The squeaky wheel gets the grease. You should be getting help w/finding the reason for you inability to sleep w/your bi-level PAP but they can't help you if they don't know you are having a problem. True, they should be following up w/you - BUT - since you are the one suffering w/lack of enough restful sleep YOU need to take the initiative and insist on help in determining what your problem(s) is/are.

We'll try to help. Lets start w/you telling us what brand and model xPAP you have. The model name should be on the top of your CPAP. And on the cover of your CPAP's Users Manual.

What style and model name mask are you using? Is it a full face mask? A nasal cushion mask that covers only your nose, not your mouth? A nasal pillows mask where it just fits against the bottom of your nostrils? Or a hybrid style w/nasal pillows fitting against the bottom of your nostrils and a cushion over your mouth? What color is your mask's headgear? Is there a tag on the headgear that has the mask name or at least manufacturer's name on it?

Does you mask have too many Leaks that wake you? Do you get sore spots from your mask? Do you wake up w/your mouth too sticky or dry?

Does your xPAP have a humidifier? Is the temperature of the water in the humidifier adjustable?

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Permalink Reply by Chloe Rasmussen on June 6, 2009 at 7:15pm

This may sound stupid but what is a BiPap machine compared to a cpap

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Permalink Reply by amott1973 on June 6, 2009 at 9:23pm

Good question Chloe. I actually don't know the answer to that either. I think it's something like cpap puts out at a continuous pressure and a bipap alternates the pressure so that it's less pressure as you exhale, but then there's an apap too, so I have no clue!

And I hope Beth answers some of the questions below. That must be incredibly frustrating to see that treatment is working so well for the person sleeping next to you but having no relief for yourself. I'll second calling your doctor or medical equipment place. Something isn't working for you and they need to know and do something about it!

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Permalink Reply by Judy on June 6, 2009 at 11:06pm

An APAP (auto PAP) can provide pressure as needed anywhere w/in the pressure range it is set at.

A bi-level (BiPAP, VPAP) provides a specific set pressure on inhalation and a specific set pressure on exhalation.

A CPAP w/EPR, C-Flex or A-Flex can work similar to a bi-level when EPR, C-Flex or A-Flex is used. But the amount of expiration pressure relief possible is limited as compared to a bi-level..

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Permalink Reply by Mike on June 12, 2009 at 12:34am

I'm going to check in on Beth to see whether she can't answer some of these questions.

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Permalink Reply by Beth Menefee on June 12, 2009 at 7:32am

Judy, thanks for answering the question on the difference between CPap and BiPap machines. Beth

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Permalink Reply by Amy on June 12, 2009 at 6:16pm

Beth I wish my patients would call me when they are having issues. I can not help if I do not know. Question do you have the humidifier set high enough. If you do not have enough humidity the nasal passages can dry out and swell. It could also be your mask. Sometimes the mask used in teh lab may not be a perfect fit because yu only get to use it for one day. Just remember ask questions lot of them call yoru dme and sleep doc or lab it is the best way to get help

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Permalink Reply by Chloe Rasmussen on June 28, 2009 at 5:17am

Can someone tell me what is the difference between BiPap and Cpap?

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Permalink Reply by Chloe Rasmussen on June 28, 2009 at 5:18am

Thanks for answering my question

Judy said:

An APAP (auto PAP) can provide pressure as needed anywhere w/in the pressure range it is set at.

A bi-level (BiPAP, VPAP) provides a specific set pressure on inhalation and a specific set pressure on exhalation.

A CPAP w/EPR, C-Flex or A-Flex can work similar to a bi-level when EPR, C-Flex or A-Flex is used. But the amount of expiration pressure relief possible is limited as compared to a bi-level..

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Permalink Reply by john johnston on April 7, 2011 at 11:12pm

Judy, in regards to a bi-pap...I've just been put on one after almost a decade on a c-pap.  It isn't working for me, though I want it to.  It seems that I am out of sync with the changes in pressure.  After trying for almost 3 hours I had to take it off and go back to my c-pap just to get a few hours of sleep before heading to work.  My problem seems to be that I have not fully inhaled before the pressure changes for me to exhale.  Then as I am exhaling, it changes for me to inhale.  Now, if the timing was consistent I think I could try and breath in alignment with the machine but it isn't.  When I took it off, and sat up in bed, my arms were tingling and I felt light headed...I obviously wasn't getting enough air.  Quite maddening.  Any advice?

Judy said:

An APAP (auto PAP) can provide pressure as needed anywhere w/in the pressure range it is set at.

A bi-level (BiPAP, VPAP) provides a specific set pressure on inhalation and a specific set pressure on exhalation.

A CPAP w/EPR, C-Flex or A-Flex can work similar to a bi-level when EPR, C-Flex or A-Flex is used. But the amount of expiration pressure relief possible is limited as compared to a bi-level..

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Permalink Reply by Judy on April 8, 2011 at 1:55am

What brand and model bi-level do you have, John??? There are "fine tuning" adjustments that can be made in relation to the transition from inhalation to exhalation. Rise Time, Ti Maximum and Ti Minimum .... Your provider's RRT "should" know how to make the adjustments so take your bi-level in to the office and ask for his/her help in making the necessary fine tuning. This is something that can be done by the RRT w/o your doctor's having to script it like if it was a pressure change.

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