Pokey49
Machine: ResMed AirSense 11 Other Comments: Sex: Male
Posts: 33
Threads: 10
Joined: Nov 2024
Mask Type: Nasal mask
Mask Make & Model: ResMed N30i
Humidifier: unsure
CPAP Pressure: 4-20 APAP
CPAP Software: OSCARmyAir
Location: Columbia Missouri USA
#1
01-31-2025, 11:09 AM
APAP v BiPAP
Im 75 and soon to be fitted for the first time for PAP. My knowledge of this subject is thus limited. I understand the basicdifferences between std CPAP, APAP & BiPAP. However I am not clear which is the better choice for being able to tolerate and get the most benefit from. I am of the impression that std CPAP, having a single continuous pressure would not be something I would tolerate well. After all we dont breathe one continuous pressure 27/7. From what I have learned here so far APAP seems to be the machine type of choice, especially a RESMED 10 or 11. In general I am a fussy sleeper on a good day. Any words of wisdom/advice on the subject would be appreciated. Many thanks
Pokey
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SarcasticDave94
Machine: None again Other Comments: SCS PVC K9D** Untreated CA COPD/Asthma Sex: Male
Posts: 14,863
Threads: 21
Joined: Mar 2017
Mask Type: Not using mask
Mask Make & Model: None
Humidifier: None
CPAP Pressure: 0/0
CPAP Software: Not using software
Location: Nowhere near Normal IL, US, probably in PA drinking coffee
#2
01-31-2025, 11:24 AM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
Best overall would be the ResMed AirCurve 10 VAuto, a bilevel. But insurance typically would want you get the cheaper AutoSet unless you have a need for bilevel.
Mask Primer
Positional Apnea
Attach OSCAR, etc.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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Pokey49
Machine: ResMed AirSense 11 Other Comments: Sex: MalePosts: 33
Threads: 10
Joined: Nov 2024
Mask Type: Nasal mask
Mask Make & Model: ResMed N30i
Humidifier: unsure
CPAP Pressure: 4-20 APAP
CPAP Software: OSCARmyAir
Location: Columbia Missouri USA
#3
01-31-2025, 11:36 AM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
I'm on Medicare. If Medicare says at first I have to get the cheaper APAP but BiPAP would be better do you know if I offer to pay the difference in cost would that work?? What determines if you needBiPAP?
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Deborah K.
Machine: ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto Other Comments: Sex: Female
Posts: 2,098
Threads: 20
Joined: Apr 2020
Mask Type: Other
Mask Make & Model: Bleep DreamPort Sleep Solution
Humidifier: ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto
CPAP Pressure: Max Ipap 18, Min Epap 9.0
CPAP Software: OSCAR
Location: Colorado
#4
01-31-2025, 07:07 PM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
Whatever happens make sure you get a ResMed machine (except, don't get the ResMed Elite - that's CPAP only). For an apap, you want the ResMed Airsense 10 Autoset. For a bilevel, you want the ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto. Make sure your doctor prescribes one of these by name, including instructions not to substitute any other machine. Sometimes the providers will send you a cheaper machine because they make the same money for either.
Machine: ResMed AirCurve 10 Vauto
Mask: Bleep DreamPort Sleep Solution and F&P Nova Micro
Link to thread about switching from Autoset to Bilevel:
https://www.apneaboard.com/forums/Thread...+a+bilevel
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Sleepster
Wiki Editor Machine: ResMed A10 VAuto Other Comments: Diagnosed 2011. Conquered aerophagia. Sex: MalePosts: 6,992
Threads: 100
Joined: Feb 2012
Mask Type: Full face mask
Mask Make & Model: F&P Simplus
Humidifier: HumidAir and SlimLine Hose
CPAP Pressure: MaxI 13.6 | MinE 5.6 | PS 5.0
CPAP Software: OSCARmyAir
Location: Houston, Texas
#5
01-31-2025, 10:12 PM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
You don't have to choose between APAP (a CPAP that auto-adjusts the pressures) and a BiPAP (a CPAP that delivers bilevel therapy). The ResMed AirCurve is an auto-adjusting bilevel CPAP machine.
Officially, to qualify for a bilevel machine you had to be unable to tolerate a regular CPAP machine during the titration phase of your sleep study. But, if you have a good relationship with a doctor, any doctor, show him or her your sleep study results and get a prescription written that specifies the ResMed AirCurve. That way your equipment supplier has no choice but to provide it for you.
Tell your doctor that you swallow air when using a CPAP machine and it causes discomfort. And that you have a hard time exhaling against the pressure.
And by the way we do go around 24/7 with a constant pressure (of zero). A CPAP machine will raise that pressure above zero, and that is the thing causes discomfort for many people.
Sleepster
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AS MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEB SITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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Pokey49
Machine: ResMed AirSense 11 Other Comments: Sex: MalePosts: 33
Threads: 10
Joined: Nov 2024
Mask Type: Nasal mask
Mask Make & Model: ResMed N30i
Humidifier: unsure
CPAP Pressure: 4-20 APAP
CPAP Software: OSCARmyAir
Location: Columbia Missouri USA
#6
02-01-2025, 09:10 AM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
My doctor definitely wrote the Rx for APAP. He did not specify a specific machine. So does that cover BiLevel as well since, as I understand, adjusts in/out pressure automatically????
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Pokey49
Machine: ResMed AirSense 11 Other Comments: Sex: MalePosts: 33
Threads: 10
Joined: Nov 2024
Mask Type: Nasal mask
Mask Make & Model: ResMed N30i
Humidifier: unsure
CPAP Pressure: 4-20 APAP
CPAP Software: OSCARmyAir
Location: Columbia Missouri USA
#7
02-01-2025, 09:21 AM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
PS. What’s the basic difference between APAP & BIPAP anyway? Or do they both basically do the same thing?
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SarcasticDave94
Machine: None again Other Comments: SCS PVC K9D** Untreated CA COPD/Asthma Sex: MalePosts: 14,863
Threads: 21
Joined: Mar 2017
Mask Type: Not using mask
Mask Make & Model: None
Humidifier: None
CPAP Pressure: 0/0
CPAP Software: Not using software
Location: Nowhere near Normal IL, US, probably in PA drinking coffee
#8
02-01-2025, 10:47 AM (This post was last modified: 02-01-2025, 12:01 PM by SarcasticDave94. Edited 4 times in total. Edit Reason: Edit profit)
RE: APAP v BiPAP
APAP is auto CPAP, not bilevel or BPAP. Your script will only be for APAP.
You need to request specifically ResMed AirSense 10 or 11 AutoSet. Otherwise this allows your DME the opportunity to issue a lesser brand. It'll cost you the same, assuming you'll have some copay. If they sell you a cheaper one they will show a bigger profit.
Auto CPAP like ResMed AutoSet is based off a single pressure, but can vary it with minimum and maximum settings. Also ResMed AutoSet has EPR (exhale pressure relief) that drops pressure on exhale by 1-3 cmH20.
A ResMed AirCurve VAuto bilevel has 2 distinct pressures, EPAP exhale and IPAP inhale, with pressure support in between. PS and EPR act similarly in action. Going from EPAP to IPAP is like shifting gears, it'll jump between those. They are both variable too not static. So you have 2 pressures here. PS will be static.
Mask Primer
Positional Apnea
Attach OSCAR, etc.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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Pokey49
Machine: ResMed AirSense 11 Other Comments: Sex: MalePosts: 33
Threads: 10
Joined: Nov 2024
Mask Type: Nasal mask
Mask Make & Model: ResMed N30i
Humidifier: unsure
CPAP Pressure: 4-20 APAP
CPAP Software: OSCARmyAir
Location: Columbia Missouri USA
#9
02-01-2025, 11:49 AM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
Thanks for the references.......Lots of stuff to consider and think about. Seems like there will be a fair amount of trail & error.I assume its going to take some time to "get smart" about all this. I am already wondering about my sleeping position and my pillow. I amalmost a 100% side sleeper and I use an semi-firm orthopedic pillow. I hate soft squishy pillows. And I am a mouth breather and I am fairly confident I cant tolerate a full face mask.
How do I down load OSCAR?
Thanks
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SarcasticDave94
Machine: None again Other Comments: SCS PVC K9D** Untreated CA COPD/Asthma Sex: MalePosts: 14,863
Threads: 21
Joined: Mar 2017
Mask Type: Not using mask
Mask Make & Model: None
Humidifier: None
CPAP Pressure: 0/0
CPAP Software: Not using software
Location: Nowhere near Normal IL, US, probably in PA drinking coffee
#10
02-01-2025, 12:02 PM
RE: APAP v BiPAP
OSCAR link should be at the top of the page here.
Mask Primer
Positional Apnea
Attach OSCAR, etc.
INFORMATION ON APNEA BOARD FORUMS OR ON APNEABOARD.COM SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED MEDICAL ADVICE. ALWAYS SEEK THE ADVICE OF A PHYSICIAN BEFORE SEEKING TREATMENT FOR MEDICAL CONDITIONS, INCLUDING SLEEP APNEA. INFORMATION POSTED ON THE APNEA BOARD WEBSITE AND FORUMS ARE PERSONAL OPINION ONLY AND NOT NECESSARILY A STATEMENT OF FACT.
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