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+--- Thread: First Time CPAP User - Need some help (/Thread-First-Time-CPAP-User-Need-some-help)
First Time CPAP User - Need some help - mbtexas - 09-22-2023
I recently took an overnight sleep test and was diagnosed with moderate sleep apnea. My AHI was 20.9. I now have a prescription for an APAP machine (I can share what settings in a bit).
I happen to have my father's BiPAP machine (he passed away in 2021) with brand new mask, tubing, filters, humidifier tank - everything. Before I fork out $1200 for a new APAP machine, I was hoping to try using this BiPAP machine to see if it will even work for me (the alternative is an appliance that would hold my tongue forward, but I have not heard great things about these devices). The BiPAP machine is a ResMed AirCurve 10.
Is it possible for me to set up the AirCurve with my prescription and try using it for a few weeks? If so, how can I do that? My ENT wants me to buy a brand new machine, which I am willing to do, but since I have this unused machine I sure would like to try it out first for free before forking out that much money.
My prescription is Min pressure 4, Max pressure 20, Titrate to Comfort. I'm not sure if there's anything else relevant but let me know if there is.
Thank you in advance for any help or suggestions.
RE: First Time CPAP User - Need some help - unidee - 09-22-2023
Welcome to board!
I think that BiPAP can do same thin as APAP. There are some extra settings.
RE: First Time CPAP User - Need some help - SarcasticDave94 - 09-22-2023
Yep, most ResMed bilevel machines will have a CPAP mode. Better may be to set min and max to similar numbers.
How effective it is depends on the therapy pressures, and even more important what that ResMed AirCurve actually is. There's several models within the AirCurve line.
It may be labeled in the machine face or the rear label. You'll want to make certain of what you've got.
PS 4-20 is default auto CPAP pressures. Your doc didn't do much work to get you specific pressures. No big deal as our gurus can assist with this, however you'll want the free OSCAR report tool to pull data off an SD card that goes in a slot on the PAP machine.
RE: First Time CPAP User - Need some help - mbtexas - 09-22-2023
It says on the front it’s an aircurve 10 ASV. There are a lot of other numbers and codes on other stickers in the back and bottom, but I’m not sure which of those things I need to provide. I also don’t know how to change the settings or how to install the Oscar software.. Should I start reading through some of the threads on this site to learn more?
RE: First Time CPAP User - Need some help - SarcasticDave94 - 09-22-2023
OK, ASV is the specific type. It's a higher level xPAP. It can do straight CPAP pressure, however it won't have any pressure relief that counts for both therapy and comfort. This is to the best of my recollection on using ASV myself. It doesn't mean it's not useful for yourself, just not ideal and might be best counted as temporary.
OSCAR can be accessed via the link, it'll need to go on a computer, it's free and safe to install.
ResMed 10 settings are accessible in a clinician menu via pressing and holding Home and the big Dial on the front for 5 seconds. That'll have settings like Mode and pressures, etc.
You might want to start in CPAP mode on 6 as a pressure. Again as I recall, CPAP mode on ASV has no variable settings, straight CPAP single pressure.
RE: First Time CPAP User - Need some help - mbtexas - 09-22-2023
Thank you! Yes, you are correct that there are 3 modes: CPAP mode with only one pressure, ASV mode with a single EPAP level and variable PS levels and ASVAuto mode with variable EPAP and variable PS levels. What if I used ASV mode and set EPAP to 4 and PS to min 4 and max 20? Would that be better than trying a static CPAP pressure?
RE: First Time CPAP User - Need some help - SarcasticDave94 - 09-22-2023
Honestly I'm not certain on what to suggest you set this up as. The ASV is for those that have high central apnea.
However, here's the pressures available in each mode...
CPAP - will be as I recall a single number between 4 and 20, or maybe up to 25 its highest total pressure, no EPR (pressure relief)
ASV - single EPAP, the inhale pressure, and a min and max pressure range in PS (pressure support)
ASV Auto - both EPAP and PS are min and max ranges
Again, most likely you'll see 4-25 as pressures you can select.
There's going to be other things useful, tube, possibly skip ramp, other basic settings.
RE: First Time CPAP User - Need some help - Gideon - 09-23-2023
No reason not to use the BiLevel.
Try these settings.
Mode: VAuto
Min EPAP=4
Max IPAP=20
PS=3
Ramp=Off
PS =3 is lower than a normal start on a BiLevel but is in line with a CPAP EPR=3
Try for a night and post your OSCAR Daily charts and we can advise changes from there.