Bipap vs Cpap

I'm a newbie to this board, so hello everyone.

I have recently purchased a Cpap machine but in the interim my ENT doctor has leant me a auto CPAP and a Bipap machine.

He told me that the Bipap would be more comfortable and is actually better than a Cpap as it allows the user to exhale more easily.

However, after trying both, I've found that the Cpap gives me a better nights sleep. Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences on this?

Thanks.

Andy

Welcome aboard Andy,

A quick answer, a straight BiLevel machine uses two different positive pressures (keeps blowing in), there are BFlex machines, I have no idea how they work.

AutoCPAP has different pressures depending on your needs, unless you used a straight CPAP setting which has one continuous pressure.

If you are using a machine with CFEX at the exhales it will decrease pressure as you exhale.

How lucky that you can try out the different machines.

To help people help you, may you provide more info such as:

Which BiPAP machine, what settings did you use, did it have a special feature that you used.

Which AutoCPAP machine, what settings did you use, did it have a special feature that you used.

For the AutoCPAP I used a German brand, though I have to say it isn't one I've seen for sale on the major CPAP websites.

The pressure according to the software records was an average of 9. There were no special features though there was a Ramp time of 5 minutes with a pressure of 4cm

As for the BiPAP, it looks like a stylish alarm clock. It's a Swedish make called iSleep 22. Again, not one I've seen retailing online. The pressure has been set again to be no stronger than 12, but seems to average at about 8. I just seem to prefer the AutoCPAP, but it may just be a case of getting used to the two pressures.

Nevertheless, I only have it for a week more, before I move on to the REMStar C-Flex. I chose it amongst a few that my doctor recommended as well as reviews on here.


Anyway, thanks again for the reply.

Hi Andy,

cpapola wrote:He told me that the Bipap would be more comfortable and is actually better than a Cpap as it allows the user to exhale more easily.

However, after trying both, I've found that the Cpap gives me a better nights sleep. Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences on this?

If CPAP is comfortable for you then that's probably your best option. BiPAP is used to relieve certain problems folks have with regular CPAP like when they have trouble exhaling against a high pressure or if they get objectionable aerophagia. BiPAP is also used to treat certain forms of apnea.

Just consider yourself fortunate that CPAP is comfortable for you.

Regards,
Bill

The folks here would love the style of that BiPAP.http://www.megamed.ch/pdf_files/iSleep2 ... ep%2022%22

Hi,

I couldn't quite work out what pressures where you running each at.
That may have a lot to do with how you experienced the Bilevel.
Too big a gap can be quite uncomfortable & dependant on the rise time setting.


What were the issues re the Bilevel ?

Cheers

DSM