Hi,
I have hadmy cpap with cflex for 2 mths now and are having alot of problems. I cant seem to keep the mask on all night. I end up taking it off in my sleep.
Someone told me to get a bipap or a apap??
What do you guys think?
I am going to the sleep dktr next week.
Also any other ideas or things I should tell my sleep dktr??
Thanks

 



Last edited by swtsassy65 on Thu Sep 01, 2005 11:08 pm; edited 1 time in total

Swt,


BIPAP was often used when CPAP couldn't be tolerated.  You might look ask about machines that have exhalation relief.  A number of the manufacturers make machines that lower the pressure slightly on exhale.  Respironics makes one with what they call Cflex.  Resmed just came out with the S8 that is supposed to have a similar feature.

Hi S&S,

Do you have any idea why you are taking your mask off?  Are you reacting to the pressure on exhalation or is the C-flex function bothering you?  I'm a long-term air junkie (full force all the time man) CPAP user  so when I tried out the C-flex at a trade show, I didn't like the feel of it.  A BiPAP would have a different feel than the C-flex, high pressure on inhalation, lower pressure throughout (I think it goes low all the way through) exhalation.  An APAP is not going to lower the pressure on exhalation.  See if you can identify what is bugging you.

Vicki

What pressure were you prescribed S&S?

Most people who use a machine with C-Flex do like the ease of exhalation, but some don't.  If you like it (I do), then you might want to ask for a trial of the Respironics REMstar Auto with C-Flex.  C-flex was added to Respironics autopap last year so that people using that autopap can also enjoy some relief on exhalation too.

C-Flex does not give the exact setting relief for exhaling that one can get with bi-level machines, commonly called "bipaps".  The slight "bump" as the pressure comes back in with C-Flex,  before you're quite finished exhaling  (as Vicki described) was disconcerting to me at first, too.  Once I found out it was supposed to work that way I got used to it easily.  Bi-levels, on the other hand can be smooth as silk if set up properly in sync with you.  A bipap will wait until the cows come home at the end of every exhale -- waiting until you're start your inhalation.

The reason I'd try the Auto with C-Flex first is in case you are able to use a lower pressure than your titrated pressure for much of the night.  Less pressure usually means fewer mask leaks.  If annoying little leaks are bothering you while you sleep, without your even being aware of them, that could be a source of the urge to "get that thing off", waking you just enough to remove the mask but not remembering doing it.

It may not even have anything to do with the machine you already have, of course.  Even if your mask is reasonably comfortable, having a mask on one's face is a strange new way of sleeping.  It can take months and months for some people to get used to all the equipment issues and keep the mask on all night.  It's a natural instinct to try to get the face uncovered or bat the thing away in your sleep, especially if it's a mask that's uncomfortable in the first place.

A lot of people find nasal pillows interfaces (e.g., Swift, Breeze, Aura) less obtrusive and more comfortable to sleep in.

I have a problem with air swallowing when I use my CPAP. My doctor has lowered the machine to the lowest possible air pressure that would do any good and I have put my ramp time as long as it will go. Still I have bloating, burping, and awful nausea. It is absolutely intolerable. So my doctor ordered another sleep study to fit me for a BiPap, saying that this would make a difference. The ResMed representative said he didn't understand why the doctor thinks a BiPap will help. I don't want to do another sleep study to be fitted with a BiPap if it won't do any good because my insurance only covers part of it. I have already had two expensive sleep studies.

Does anyone know if a BiPap helps with air swallowing?

My doctor didn't say anything about an APAP. I don't think my insurance covers this, as I have heard these machines are more expensive than the others.

Also, I am being fitted for a dental device, but I have read so much about how ineffective they are. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.