Bipap vs Apap

[Sleepyv]

I was wondering what the difference between Bipap which I use and Apap. I have been using Bipap for over 2 years and am very comfortable but wake up early in morning during Rem and am wondering is it because that's when my pressure is going up and that wakes me? Do any of you have that problem?

[HalfAsleep]

While you're waiting for a guru to answer (being a newb, I'm not what you'd be looking for), you might get started by downloading SleepyHead, rousting up a SD card to put in your BiPAP, and begin recording data. Once you have a night or two, post your charts here (you'll see how under an Advisory Member's signature line).

You charts will give an idea about the interplay between pressure and arousals. Often with some fine tuning, sleep gets a whole lot better.

[Gideon]

• Philips Respironics DreamStation Auto CPAP Machine (DSX500x11) (Not all DreamStation Models, Check SN on bottom, bricks look the same) (Fixed CPAP, Auto CPAP) (best choice)
  
  
• Philips Respironics DreamStation CPAP Pro (DSX400x11) (Not all DreamStation Models, Check SN on bottom) (Fixed CPAP)
  
  
• Philips Respironics DreamStation BiPAP Pro (DSX600x11) (Not all DreamStation Models, Check SN on bottom) (Fixed CPAP, Fixed BiPAP)
  
  
• Philips Respironics DreamStation BiPAP Auto Machine (DSX700x11) (Not all DreamStation Models, Check SN on bottom) (Fixed CPAP, Fixed BiPAP, Auto BiPAP) (best choice)
  

There is ambiguity in your question.
APAP generally refers to Auto CPAP which has the modes Fixed CPAP and Auto CPAP Pressure range on CPAP is typically 4-20 cmw.
BiPap covers many machines with different purposes. Pressure range is typically 4-25 cmw, with 4-30 for the advanced ventilator models (not listed above)
A basic BiPAP machine has the modes Fixed CPAP and Fixed BiPAP. An Auto BiPAP adds a Auto BiPAP mode. On a BiPAP the IPAP (Inhale pressure), EPAP (Exhale pressure), and PS (Pressure Support) are individually controlled. BiPAP, depending on the mode selected (there are several BiPAP modes), also has breath timing parameters. There are also flex parameters that are specific to machine class.

Fred

[Gideon]

Download Sleepyhead and post your daily charts.  This allows us to advise you based on your data.  We will likely see when you are waking and see what events are leading up to it.

Fred

[Sleeprider]

I was wondering what the difference between Bipap which I use and Apap. I have been using Bipap for over 2 years and am very comfortable but wake up early in morning during Rem and am wondering is it because that's when my pressure is going up and that wakes me? Do any of you have that problem?

The answer to your question depends on your pressures and pressure support in BiPAP.  A CPAP is designed to provide a fixed pressure.  That used to mean EPAP and IPAP were about the same, but now with Flex or EPR, CPAP machines provide limited pressure difference (pressure support) between inhale and exhale.  The Resmed series machines with EPR provide up to 3-cm in a manner that is close, if not identical to bilevel.  Philips machines offer Flex, which is limited to 2-cm and is proportional to respiratory flow.   

If you were to change to Auto CPAP, the Resmed would most closely approximate the behavior of your BiPAP up to a pressure support (EPR) of 3.  As Bonjour suggested, providing some data and settings from your current machine would help us to narrow down what you'd likely experience.