a machine that lowers pressure for exhaling

[trakman]

I tried a machine in the past but couldn't comply because I felt like I was drowning in air..!

my exhale is weak, so it got smothered by the high incoming pressure

I heard you can get machines to lower pressure on the exhale.

what's that called..
-CFLEX?
-Bi-PAP?

btw, this is my first ever post!

[mbkjad]

Bi-Pap or Vpap (if it's Resmed).

[PoolQ]

Also BiLevel, they all mean the same thing
The ResMed is AirCurve 10 VPAP
Look at some of the supplier list sites above and you will see the different types of machines

[justMongo]

Bi-Pap or Vpap (if it's Resmed).

Good answer mbkjad.

trakman

The generic name is bilevel. Most machines can lower exhale pressure by 1, 2 or 3. That's called ERP. A bilevel will hold a constant difference between IPAP and EPAP.

Like on my VPAP Auto. IPAP - EPAP is held at 5 cm-H₂O.
ResMed calls that difference Pressure Support (PS.)

Bilievels are often used with pressures exceed 14 cm-H₂O or if a person has some form of obstructive lung disease.

[trish6hundred]

Hi trakman,

WELCOME! to the forum.!
Hang in there for more responses to your post and much success to you.

[OpalRose]

ResMed machines exhale relief is called EPR

Phillips Respiornics exhale relief is called CFLEX AND AFLEX

[PaulaO2]

If you are having trouble with all the alphabet soup they are tossing at you, check out:
http://www.apneaboard.com/wiki/index.php?title=Acronyms

[archangle]

Bilevel - Different pressure on exhale.
Exhale relief - A limited form of Bilevel.

Insurance and regulations require you to classify the machine as a "bilevel" if the pressure "relief" is greater than 3(?). This is the main reason for exhale relief instead of bilevel. They charge more for bilevel machines, even though there's no real reason to do so.

BiPAP and VPAP are trademarks for bilevel.
Flex, A-Flex, C-Flex and EPR are trademarks for exhale relief.

In my opinion, most people who find they can't exhale against the hurricane should simply be started with a lower pressure, which is then gradually increased over a period of a week or two. It's not as good as fixing your apnea all at once, but it's better than having a patient give up on CPAP.