What kind of BiPAP should I get?

[mileena]

I had a brand new sleep study last week, since my new pulmonologist does not approve of the split study that was done on me last August. He is with Stanford HealthCare, and a leader is his field, using cutting-edge techniques. He knows his stuff. Instead of the Philips DreamStation Auto CPAP I was on, he is going to prescribe me a BiPAP when I meet with him next week.

Anyway, I need to lobby my doctor for certain BiPAP machines. I guess an AutoBiPAP is better? I also read that the ResMed AirMini makes no noise whatsoever. I also read there was a new miracle nasal pillow that does not need electricity or tubing and makes no noise, but is not FDA approved yet. Nothing is attached to it and it has thousands of holes in it.

What is the best BiPAP out there? I have Medicare, if that matters. I also will be using the ResMed Swift FX nasal pillow, as that is the only one that works for me. So I guess it has to be a ResMed BiPAP, not Philips?

[ChicagoGranny]

I had a brand new sleep study last week,

Tell us the details of your diagnosis.

he is going to prescribe me a BiPAP when I meet with him next week.

What is the reason the doctor wants to switch you to bilevel CPAP? What were the pressure settings you were using with your Auto CPAP? What pressure settings is the doctor prescribing with you new machine?

I guess an AutoBiPAP is better?

An Auto BiLevel can be set to auto or basic. So it is much more flexible than a plain bilevel.

I also read that the ResMed AirMini makes no noise whatsoever.

This is not a bilevel. It's a travel machine.

I also read there was a new miracle nasal pillow that does not need electricity or tubing and makes no noise, but is not FDA approved yet. Nothing is attached to it and it has thousands of holes in it.

This is a joke and possibly a crowdfunding scam.

I also will be using the ResMed Swift FX nasal pillow, as that is the only one that works for me. So I guess it has to be a ResMed BiPAP, not Philips?

Brands of machines and masks can be mixed. There is one exception, but it doesn't apply here.

[D.H.]

Except in special cases, the choice of machine and the choice of masks can be made independently. If your pressure is very high, that could influence you choice of masks (but it's not machine dependent).

If your pressure is anywhere near 25 (which is the max for mot BiPAP machines), you'll want to consider one that can go higher.

[mileena]

Tell us the details of your diagnosis.

Well, they sleep tech said I could not get a copy of the report, unlike with my last study at a different place, where they said they would mail it to me if I gave them a SASE. The current tech said I would have to ask the doctor for a copy when I meet with him next week.

What is the reason the doctor wants to switch you to bilevel CPAP? What were the pressure settings you were using with your Auto CPAP? What pressure settings is the doctor prescribing with you new machine?

I meet with him next week. In our initial meeting when he ordered the new sleep study, he told me the reason why the BiPAP when I showed him my sleep study report and SD card. I forgot the reason since he said it fast. Something like one of my numbers were off and the BiPAP would work better. My current prescription is for 4-20 cm H20 with my Philips DreamStation AutoCPAP, but I jailbroke it last month using the secret provider's menu to shut off the ramp, and now have it set to 10-20 cm H20.

An Auto BiLevel can be set to auto or basic. So it is much more flexible than a plain bilevel.

This is not a bilevel. It's a travel machine.

Ugh. Thank you for telling me that.

This is a joke and possibly a crowdfunding scam.

No, I saw this in the San Francisco Chronicle online a few weeks ago, where they had a link to one of those ads at the end (clickbait). It is real. No power needed, no tubing needed. Just a CPAP built into a tiny nasal pillow. People are trying to get the company to design a nasal mask and full-face mask too like it so all patients can use it. I need to find out what the name of this is since I forgot to save it.

Brands of machines and masks can be mixed. There is one exception, but it doesn't apply here.

Ahh...got it!

[mileena]

Except is special cases, the choice of machine and the choice of masks can be made independently. If your pressure is very high, that could influence you choice of masks (but it's not machine dependent).

If your pressure is anywhere near 25 (which is the max for mot BiPAP machines), you'll want to consider one that can go higher.

Thanks! You mean consider a nasal pillow that can go higher? I can only use a nasal pillow. All masks the tech tried leaked at the top instantly. I must have a weird nose?

[JDS74]

Since you already are using a Philips DreamStation auto CPAP, I recommend staying with that brand. An AutoBiPap is more flexible than a straight BiPap and they both come under the same payment code. That is, the price to you and the insurance reimbursement will be the same. The DME would want you to go with the lower cost (to them) one but you pulmonologist can write the scrip as "As Written" to ensure that you get what you both agree on.

A new DreamStation Auto BiPap will make about the same noise level as your AutoCPAP does now.

[Okie bipap]

How long have you had the dreamstation? If purchased through Medicare and you have not had it for 13 months, you will need to return it to the DME you purchased it through. Getting a bilevel machine through Medicare is very easy. All the prescription needs to say is patient did not tolerate CPAP, or the CPAP did not provide adequate treatment.

[mileena]

Since you already are using a Philips DreamStation auto CPAP, I recommend staying with that brand. An AutoBiPap is more flexible than a straight BiPap and they both come under the same payment code. That is, the price to you and the insurance reimbursement will be the same. The DME would want you to go with the lower cost (to them) one but you pulmonologist can write the scrip as "As Written" to ensure that you get what you both agree on.

A new DreamStation Auto BiPap will make about the same noise level as your AutoCPAP does now.

Awesome! You explained this perfectly. I will ask for the Philips DreamStation Auto BiPAP with a ResMed Swift FX nasal pillow, *as written*! And no ramp!

The DME supplier said I can get a heated tube as well, but that needs to be specifically added to the prescription. Should I get that too?

[palerider]

What is the best BiPAP out there? .... So I guess it has to be a ResMed BiPAP, not Philips?

Resmed doesn't make a 'BiPAP', any more than Chevrolet makes a Mustang.

BiPAP is philips trademark for a BI LEVEL cpap.

The Resmed Bilevel (Aircurve10 Vauto) is a better, faster responding, quieter, more adjustable, smaller machine than the Phillips Dreamstation Bipap Auto.

I'd say, go with it.

[mileena]

How long have you had the dreamstation? If purchased through Medicare and you have not had it for 13 months, you will need to return it to the DME you purchased it through. Getting a bilevel machine through Medicare is very easy. All the prescription needs to say is patient did not tolerate CPAP, or the CPAP did not provide adequate treatment.

Hi, well I have had it for 7 months. But there is an issue. I got angry with my old doctors office and the DME supplier for multiple failed returned calls and bad service, since they never bothered to fit the initial mask, which they were supposed to do. They never remedied the situation. And when I get angry, I stop communicating with the place. So the DME supplied billed Medicare for three months and had to stop billing them, since they couldn't confirm my usage (I pulled out the wireless modem they installed in the CPAP and stopped seeing the doctor). They sent me a letter demanding the CPAP back or they would bill me for it, but when I refused to return it, they never billed me or followed up. So now I have been using the same filters, mask, tube, water tray, and strapping for 7 months. But I have a free CPAP at least! I am going to have the new doctor send the RX to a new DME supplier this time, with better service hopefully.

[palerider]

So now I have been using the same filters,

I hope you've cleaned them, at least.

mask, tube, water tray, and strapping for 7 months.

so? I'd get years out of all that, well, maybe not the headgear

But I have a free CPAP at least!

That may come back to bite you.

[ChicagoGranny]

No, I saw this in the San Francisco Chronicle online a few weeks ago, where they had a link to one of those ads at the end (clickbait). It is real. No power needed, no tubing needed. Just a CPAP built into a tiny nasal pillow. People are trying to get the company to design a nasal mask and full-face mask too like it so all patients can use it. I need to find out what the name of this is since I forgot to save it.

Well, if you saw it in the Chronicle, it must be true. viewtopic/t155145/How-to-report-Airing.html

[palerider]

This is a joke and possibly a crowdfunding scam.

No, I saw this in the San Francisco Chronicle online a few weeks ago, where they had a link to one of those ads at the end (clickbait). It is real. No power needed, no tubing needed. Just a CPAP built into a tiny nasal pillow. People are trying to get the company to design a nasal mask and full-face mask too like it so all patients can use it. I need to find out what the name of this is since I forgot to save it.

Yeah, and if you believe that, I've got some swampland that you need to buy from me.

In other words, it's NOT real, and never will be... (at least, not in our lifetimes). physics gets in the way of scams coming to fruition.

[D.H.]

Except is special cases, the choice of machine and the choice of masks can be made independently. If your pressure is very high, that could influence you choice of masks (but it's not machine dependent).

If your pressure is anywhere near 25 (which is the max for mot BiPAP machines), you'll want to consider one that can go higher.

Thanks! You mean consider a nasal pillow that can go higher? I can only use a nasal pillow. All masks the tech tried leaked at the top instantly. I must have a weird nose?

I would "test" your current nasal pillows against higher speed. What I suggest you do is temporarily turn your current machine as high as it goes and see how the pillows sit for at least half an hour.

[palerider]

I would "test" your current nasal pillows against higher speed. What I suggest you do is temporarily turn your current machine as high as it goes and see how the pillows sit for at least half an hour.

Another stupid post by the resident village idiot.