Is my Remstar m CPAP or BIPAP ?

[tincatinca]

Hi All

I have just had my Remstar Plus replaced with an M series machine. The bottom of the unit is clearly marked REMstar | BIPAP and the model no 101M is shown on the manufacturers serial number label

Does this actually mean that the sleep unit has upgraded me to a BiPap unit?

I cannot find any reference to the model number on the web and would like to satisfy my curiosity. It does seem less effort when I exhale than it was on the old machine.

Only downside is that I am finding the pump significantly noisier than the larger Remstar plus. To get round this, I plan to make an enclosure of 18mm MDF plus some sound barrier rubber sheet. Has anyone on here done similar?

Any help gratefully received

Kim

[Tigers Fan]

Worth checking

Hi tincatinca

A BiPAP is for a different condition that OSA. A CPAP is good for OSA.

Your 'M' Series has exhalation relief - the pressure drops to let your breath out more comfortably.

Exactly what your new machine is can be checked by calling your sleep clinic, surely/maybe (mine won't pick up the phone). Both my 'M' Series machines advetise their type in large white letters on the top.

What were you diagnosed with with? OSA or something else?

TF

[Tricia]

I remember reading a couple of days ago that someone is putting their CPAP into a shoe box which is lined with polystyrene. I think the post might be in the "Where do you keep your CPAP" thread if you want to check there.

[tincatinca]

still confused

didnt want to bother my sleep clinic hence the post on here. I suffer from severe OSA with my sleep study three years ago showing 475 events over a seven hour period.

pressure was set at 13 and has remained so over the period. i have found use of my previous CPAP totally effective. Machine was only changed due to fault.

I have described the only markings present on the unit which appears just as effective at releiving the symptoms of my aponea. Like I say, its only to satisfy my curiosity

regarding the enclosure, I have tried shoebox but wasnt very effective, hence the MDF/Noise stop foam idea. I'll post back on here in a couple of weeks when I have had a chance to build and evaluate it.

I was quite surprised that there doesnt appear to be a commercially available product other than "modified" bedside cabinets for which the suppliers want a small fortune for.

kim

[Tigers Fan]

Just in case

Hi tincatinca

When designing your sound-box, remember you need to allow air in for the CPAP compressor and cooling air in at the bottom and out at the top. A little trap door would facilitate removel/fitting of the humidifier water chamber.

My sister has a habit of wrapping machines in blankets to quieten them - and is always surprised when they burn out.

TF

[tincatinca]

Hi Tf

Thanks for your input, had a follow-up call from the sleep tech to make sure I was ok with the new machine, (as it was issued at weekend from ward rather than Clinic) asked him and he confirmed it was a bipap, but with exhale pressure set to 0 to provide a higher level of comfort.

Mentioned to him about enclosure and he said that while he could not give an official opinion, he couldnt see a problem providing airflow was ok, esp as power transformer is a separate unit so heat buildup should not be a problem.

I'll let you know how I get on. Bank holiday this weekend so hope to get the box made depending on my Wife's do-list!!

Kim

[Tigers Fan]

Hmmmmm!

Hi tincatinca

Did you think to ask the tech why you have a BiPAP machine rather than a CPAP?

It suggests to me that you have something other than OSA so I wonder if you are supposed to be taking care around the way you do something ??????? Goodness knows what ?????? might be, but why a BiPAP ??????

Good luck with the box! Funny how women find things that must be done (by us!) when everything looks fine and dandy to any other eye.

TF

[tincatinca]

Hi Tf

I have been dignosed as having severe OSA following a sleepstudy by one of the countries leading consultants in the field. According to the experts, and many google searches, it appears that BiPAP is often used as a CPAP alternative in cases of severe OSA, in addition to other conditions when CPAP is not appropriate. My Machine is set to provide 13 cm h2o pressure when inhaling and 0 cm h2o pressure when exhaling, in effect providing the positive pressure when i need it and pressure relief when breathing out.

It is managing my OSA as effectively as the CPAP was but without the extra effort needed to exhale against the pressure. I am finding it much more comfortable to use because of this. I am certainly not going to shout too loud about it to the sleep centre in case I end up losing this "superior" unit!

I suspect the phrase "Yes dear" will be well-used this weekend regarding jobs to do, but hey-ho thats the secret to 26 years of harmony (so far). I have passed this valuable lesson in life to my three grown up lads and it seems to be working for them too.

kim

[Tigers Fan]

I still don't get it!

Hi tincatinca

Why would they give you a BiPAP for "just OSA" - albeit severe - when other folk can't even get a APAP? This really is post code lottery gone mad. I and many others use a higher pressure than you - and all we are good for is a CPAP!

But - you have a good machine and good luck to you!

I kneel at your feet! You do something I would love to be able to do. I can do "yes, dear" for fifteen minutes on a good day and pick the ones who'd beat on me for saying it, anyway! Mind, a long enough list used to keep me out of harm's way.

TF

[silvercarper]

I also have a Remstar M series .
On the bottom it says its a BIPAP but its what it says on the top which matters. I know mine is a APAP with A -Flex.
What Flex system does it say on top of the unit?

[tincatinca]

Hi Silver
thanks for the info

mine says nothing on the top regarding type of unit, but sleep tech has confirmed it is bipap and the settings they have used for inhale and exhale pressures

consider my curiosity satisfied!

do I take it from your moniker that you partake in the sport of angling?


kim

[tincatinca]

hi tf

I understand your comment re postcode lottery but this applies to all things NHS, I think I have only ended up with the Bipap because thats all they had in stock on the ward when I visited that weekend (about 120 miles round trip), they do usually issue CPAP only for OSA, and that is what they provided me three years ago.

I was diagnosed with a moderate hearing impairment in both ears last summer and had to choose carefully where I wanted to be referred to. One hospital indicated that it would take at least 6 months to be seen (despite the 18 week rule) and the upto afurther 12 months to be issued with a hearing aid which they would only supply 1 of.

The hospital I chose which was 5 miles further away but in a different County, saw me within 6 weeks, gave me a choice of hearing aids and fitted aids for both ears within a further 2 weeks. I could not fault their attitude and nothing is too much bother for them.

Absolutely crazy but thats now a fact of life with the "national " Health service

Anyway I had better get on with my day job as its bank holiday weekend and I have tons to get done before the end of the day.


kim

[davejwhite]

Hi there - Mine was the post saying about the polystyrene lined box

I made it because the noise of the machine was disturbing my wife. What I did was this:
1. Find a suitable sized shoe box with space to spare all ways around the machine. Perhaps a visit to a shoe shop with some measurements might be productive. Hopefully, this bit is free!

2. Buy a set of polystyrene ceiling tiles

3. Using a non-solvent glue (important, as I found, because the solvent melts the polystyrene), cut the tiles to fit and line the inside of the box, butting the tiles up against each other as tight as you can.

4. Now sit the machine in the box, and measure out and cut the tiles you need to pad the lid. You have to leave space around the sides for it to 'bed down' when it closes against the other tiles lining the sides of the box.

5. Make a mark where the intake port is on the machine. Cut a hole through the back of the box to allow for this. I made mine about 1.5 inches square.

6. This bit depends on the machine. I had to cut into the top of the box to allow for the hose port to stick through the lid at the top. I then went further and did a cutout for the LED panel, so now I can get to the switches and readouts without having to open the box.

If I can, I'll take pic and post it here. It's not pretty, but it works a treat. Even though I have to put a shoe on the top to keep the lid down! Very technical!

Blue Peter - eat your heart out. :-)

[tincatinca]

Hi Dave

Thanks for the detailed info re your Blue Peter project. I have decided to construct a box from 18mm MDF lined with sound barrier sheet and noise stop foam. I'll let you know how effective it is when I have finished it.

I'm taking this route as I expect to be using CPAP forever and I need a box that the cats cant get in etc and that fits with the room decor.

regards

kim

[davejwhite]

Best of luck

Yours sounds a bit more ambitious than mine. I'll be interested to see how it goes.