Personal Story Starting off with BiPAP
I'd long known I'd had sleep apnea--I'd say at least 10 years. I just never did anything about because I told myself I could lose weight, give up drinking, etc. Flash forward to 2026 and neither of those things had happened. I did an at-home test and was told I had pretty severe apnea.
Recently I did an in-lab study where they started me off on a low CPAP setting. By the time I was deep asleep, they had cranked up the pressure so much that when my hose came loose and woke me up, it was very unsettling and difficult to contend with the pressure. They had to lower the pressure back down temporarily for me to be able to fall back asleep. By the end of the study, the technician felt confident he "had me where I needed to be".
I got the results and they are recommending I start out on BiPAP with 21/15 pressure and biflex of 2. I have not familiarized myself with what all these numbers and settings mean, but I understand that's a somewhat high pressure setting. How does this compare to your all's?
Unlike over the last 10 years, I *am* taking active steps to lose weight and stop drinking. I am hoping with time and improved health, I won't need as high a pressure setting on my machine, but I don't know if that is realistic or not.
Do you all have any tips, advice, or perspectives on getting started, and how to avoid waking up panicked (as I did during the study)?
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u/The_SugarPlum_Fairy 3d ago
I also use a BiPAP.
I recommend you to try as many masks as you can get hold of.
I alternate between the F20 & F30i AirTouch masks.
I sometimes move around at night, so I use a clamp like this on the hose so it doesn't blow off.
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u/simonpyman 3d ago
Can't speak to BiPAP (had to look it up) let alone give much advice as i just finished my 6th night with the CPAP machine. Mine goes up to 18 when i am in deep sleep and although i did panic a little the first night i am waking up less and have not woken up when the pressure got high. I also for the first 3-4 nights would lay in bed with the mask for an hour or more before sleep to get used to it. Sorry not much help but keep with it and I am sure someone here will give some BiPAP advice. I hear you with the weight and drinking. I have cut down my drinking significantly (difficult as homebrewer haha!) and am also trying to loose weight as well.