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How many BIPAP and CPAP users are there out there?

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hg +2 points · about 7 years ago Original Poster

How many of you use a CPAP or BIPAP for your sleep apnea? What do you think the percentage is of people who have sleep apnea that use a BIPAP or CPAP machine?

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DanM +0 points · about 7 years ago Sleep Enthusiast Support Team

Hi hg. I use an APAP machine, which is basically an automatically adjusting CPAP machine. I started on CPAP many years ago, but I have no idea what percentage of people with sleep apnea actually use their machines.

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hg +0 points · about 7 years ago Original Poster

Thanks, DanM. I've noticed that outside of the US, doctors recommend it less and I'm curious about the overall numbers.

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wiscman +0 points · about 7 years ago

I have used a CPAP for less than a year. Its' funny, but the sensations are similar to my scuba regulator...except through the nose. I find that the APAP might actually inhibit my breathing. I found that a slow ramp time left me trying to inhale more than the starting pressure. So, I have a ramp time of about 10 seconds. Now, I have a setting of 10, which I gather is about the lowest standard setting. My mask is comfortable, and I use it even when I take a nap.

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BrightSpringbudSandpiper5105 +0 points · about 7 years ago

CPAP/APAP is the more likely suggested solution in Australia but it seems to me that whether it is CPAP or APAP depends on the individual themselves.

I don't recall the specialists having a view about APAP or CPAP. Most APAP's can be set like a CPAP if you find the auto settings don't actually work well for you so my suggestion would be try APAP as I reckon it has to be better for your partner (less noise). Not sure which is more common one but I have always used APAP and one of my older brothers has always used CPAP and the other APAP. We never discussed apnea with each other we just set ourselves up independently after a sleep study. I think the Brother that is CPAP has higher settings 13 and maybe his doctor advised CPAP, he refuses to try my older APAP. Habit and personal preference seem to be the main driver. Once you are used to whatever you use it seems you will find it hard to change. Like Wiscrman I use it even when I nap (which is fairly rare)

I find that my APAP sits most of the night at the minimum 4 and only kicks in up to about 9 to 10 nearly 2 to 3 hours into sleep. My new Autosense 10 and its ramp up features seem to be the best I have experienced and my wife swears it is much quieter than the S9.

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