I have mentioned in a couple of other posts that I have recently (yesterday) been diagnosed with sleep apnea.  My doctor has put in an order for a BiPAP.  Members of this forum have been very helpful, providing great information.  I have also been looking for information anywhere I can find it.  I will find out Friday the results of my titration results from my visit. However, through my reading I have learned some of the reasons my doctor may have ordered the BiPAP and not the CPAP, such as COPD, cogestive heart failure, asthma, etc.  A couple of months ago, before I new I have sleep apnea, I had a check up with my practitioner and a stress test.  I was told everything looked good.  But i am still a little concerned with the need for a BiPAP.

If I recall reading that the Bipap when you breath out the pressure is less then breathing in. I am guessing with your Astham that is the route they want to take. That way you don't feel overwhelmed with the pressure when breathing out. I have asthma. And when I did my sleep study last week. I know it was bit more difficult to breath out. I got used to it. But they might want to have less stress on you sense you have the heart condition. But I would ask the docotor if you are concerned. I write all my questions down. That way I don't forget to ask them when I am there.

As far as I know, I don't have asthma, a heart condition or COPD.  Those are just some of the things I read about BiPAP.  I became concerned when my doctor prescibed the BiPAP wondering why.  I am sure I will find out Friday at my follow-up appointment. I am just a little nervous.

Resting,

I am sure it is nothing.  What is your pressure?  BiPAPs are also used when prescribed pressures are on the high side to make exhaling easier.  If your pressure isn't on the high side (above 14 or 15) then maybe he thinks you will still do better with some exhalation relief.  However, that is what C-Flex (Respironics) and EPR (ResMed) are for.  Personally, I'm a full pressure all the time kind of person and you may be too.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Thanks!

you know...he could have just called it a BiPAP...using the word genericly...verses calling it a CPAP.  Many use the term CPAP for everything even if it is a BiLevel, Apap etc.

You may have also lucked out and got a DR that tries to always script a BiLevel from the get go.  It can be set as a regular Cpap or a BiLevel.  May be uses in regular CPAP mode now and you always have the BiLevel mode if needed in the future.


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BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Thanks.  this forum is great!!!!  I get my machine tomorrow. I understand that I will want one that is fully data compatible.  Anything else I should look for and ask?

Make sure it is not just compliance capabilities.  You want to be able to read your AHI's and leak rate on the LED screen.  You want the humidifier to go with it.  

Check the blower hours on it...they often pass one off that has been previously used for a short time...I think there is a limit on the amount of hours it has when supplying it to a new patient.  The thing is, this is not temporary use...as if it was a pair of crutches or something used until you are ' well'...you are eventually purchasing this and will have it about 5 years...insurance usually replaces one every five years.

If it is a Resperonics auto M series...make sure it is the new designed tank for the humidfier....I think that it was a recall and all were replaced...just confirm...also i heard that they just changed the electrical connection on them.  I believe the new has the Humidfier and xPAP plugging into one or the other...the old style was both cords plugging into a transformer type thing...then the wall.

DME's are vendors...they are selling you equipment...they need to make a profit...there are several "levels" of machines...a BiLevel will be paid by insurance the same price to the DME no matter how much it costs...the DME makes a higher profit on the run of the mill ones than the higher priced ones...therefore they usually try to set you up with the cheaper ones.  Insist on what you want.  You may hear...Dr didn't script that...insurance won't cover that...our company does not carry that.  If your request and want is reasonable then there is no reason why you can not get what you will be happiest with.


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

restinglandau wrote:

... some of the reasons my doctor may have ordered the BiPAP and not the CPAP, such as COPD, cogestive heart failure, asthma, etc.

While those are some common reasons why a bi-level can be more comfortable, they aren't the only ones.  Sometimes patient comfort is the only reason one is prescribed.  Greater patient comfort = greater compliance   Some folk are lucky enough to get a doc who will get you the machine with the greatest level of flexibility that your insurance will cover, just in case a feature would be helpful down the road.  

If you do receive a bi-level, your titration study will indicate whether one was tried on you.  If the tech had reason to suspect your therapy would improve with a bi-level they would have tried you with one, and it will be reported in your study.  If no bi-level was tried, your doc may just like bi-level machines as explained above or the doc may have seen something in the titation that led him/her to believe a bi-level could provide more breathing comfort than the minimal exhalation relief settings supplied with 'regular' CPAPs.

Let us know what happens at your followup visit and what machine you get (as was mentioned, insist on full data capability and insist the provider show you how to view the AHI and leak rates on the display screens.  Don't leave with the machine until you are satisfied you can view this information each morning.)

I'm sure there is nothing to worry about and all will come clear at your followup visit

Blessings,
--pseudonym

Thanks so much.  I can't believe how kind and helpful everyone on this forum has been.  I look forward to opening the site.  O.K.  I am more clear now on what is going on after reading the replies to my questions and I recieved a letter from my dr. explaining the results of my titration.  Tomorrow they come to my house to set up my machine.  I see my dr. 2 weeks after begining the BiPAP.  BiPAP is the term used in the dr.'s letter.  The letter also said I have severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea and that I responded "fairly well to BiPAP at a pressure of 11/7 centimeters of water utilizing medium Micro mask with heated humidified air.  Can someone tell me what 11/7 centimeters means?  And the medium Micro mask bruised my nose.

Hi MEEEEEE AGAIN!!!!  

11cm is the inhalation pressure and 7cm is the exhalation.  I am 13/8.

I would call the DME first thing in the morning...tell them that the mask bothered you and that they will need to bring a selection for you to try...including the micro one again.  Also let them know that you will need the BiFlex feature to help you make the transition betwwen the 11 inhalation pressure and the 7 exhalation pressure....and that you will only be able to use a fully DATA CAPABLE machine.

The Dr may need to rescript the order to state "Mask of patients choice"  and maybe the machine.  Have you looked up any of the machines?  Don't worry about sounding pushy...you have to be to get the best you can get.


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

THANKS Mrs. Van Winkle!!!!!!