Will BPAP cure my centrals?

[Benzi]

Hi

I have finally convinced a doctor that my appneas are central (following a test that showed 80%).

His recommendations:

1. Try reducing pressure (currently 8, so not much to reduce).

2. Try BPAP.

Any suggestions? Will BPAP help?

Thanks

[sauerkraut]

Benzi;
I'm sure someone with more experience will be along shortly ..

But I believe the only machine that treats Central Apneas is an ASV ..
I'm suprised Your doctor doesn't know this !!
Best of Luck finding the proper treatment !!

[Jay51]

I agree with Saurekraut.  

A bipap machine made my centrals worse in my sleep study.  

A bipap with a back up rate can work to stop centrals.  A back up rate simply means the machine causes a breath when you don't breath in order to stop centrals.  ASV is prescribed by Resmed as the machine to treat central apnea (if you have lung disease, etc. then a ST or ST (A) would be appropriate).  

That said, if you get a VAuto that could work, because it has a breath trigger setting that can help decrease centrals.  Not nearly as much as an ASV, but by setting the trigger to very high, some members here have been able to reduce their centrals significantly.

[Deborah K.]

If you post an Oscar chart, we can see what is happening much better, and advise accordingly. If your AHI is low enough and your settings are good, a bilevel machine could probably handle the CAs, but if it's high you may need an ASV.