Did anyone have trouble getting used to a bipap after cpap usage?

Yes, in fact my experience with bipap was good in the sleep lab, but a disaster( my dr’s words)in the real world.
We never could get the machine in sync with my inhale/exhale patterns. I was fighting with the machine and it with me. I finally just went back to the regular CPAP on autoset and got better results than the bipap.
How long have you had the new machine? I’d give it more than two nights trial. Has anyone tried to readjust it for you?

Consider putting your case before the members at apneaboard.com. They have a lot of resident knowledge there and might be able to give you tips and advice to improve your experience and to help you to adapt to the new prescription. I hope you get help here as well.

I had a bit of trouble, moving to BIPAP but then I am still awaked by any mask. I have never gotten completely used to headgear During the day, I never wear hats and in the past couldn't wear sunglasses. Uncomfortable with anything on my face or head. That being said, it took me less time to adjust from CPAP to BIPAP. My sleep is still interrupted, but mostly from the headgear that I wake intermittently to adjust.

@kudzu thanks for your reply! I just got it this last Friday! I slept a few hours, around 4, the first two nights, then the third was a disaster! I also have fibromyalgia and I guess my anxiety got to me also. Yes, that is my problem the pressure is so much! Mine is IPAP is 17.0 and EAP is 10.0. I am wearing in the day to try, but laying down is harder for me! I called my equipment place and she said she would lower my pressure a bit but she had to have a script! I called my doctor and she said NO! I have to get used to it! So I guess that is what I have to do! I know the CPAP was not helping me; I was on it close to three years. It is rough. ARE you still on your CPAP? I wanted to use it until I could get used to the new one and Doc said NO also!

@dalebout123 thks for reply. Yes I have a little trouble finding one that did not give me that darn red face!! I am finally using Air Fit 40, and it is pretty good! So, you got used to BPAP easily? Is that right?

@brendaelk1558
This whole CPAP thing has been a pain for me! I had a terrible time adjusting to it because the Dr had me on nasal pillows with min/max pressures of 6,12. I am a mouth breather! You’d think they would have picked that up in the overnight study but nooo! I realized I was a mouth breather, got a full face mask (resmed airfit f 20) and learned to adjust my own pressures as those were too low for a full face mask. I finally started making some progress; the ahi went into single digits for the first time. I know this is frowned on, but I did it anyway as I was about to lose my mind. I also got a different Dr. Yes, I’m still using my CPAP as an auto set; thankfully my Dr sent the bipap back.
I often wonder if the CPAP is really helping me, but it seems to be keeping my o2 levels higher than without it.
I don’t really feel that much different and still consider at times dumping the whole thing.
I also do what gloaming suggested and looked at both apnea board.com and CPAP talk.com. I learned a lot that way.
My feeling is that we really need to educate ourselves and help each other if we’re going to make it work.
Also consider finding a dr who’s more in tune with you.

@brendaelk1558
I should clarify that the pressures of 6/12 were too low for ME with a full face mask. They might be fine for somebody else.

@kudzu Yes I get so frustrated too. I am frustrated that I did not know that a sleep study was needed and I was treated with cpap for three years while it was not helping much. The home test only says you have sleep apnea and not what kind or how to treat it! I did use the bipap for 5 hours last night, but it still said I had over 15 events with it!! So I may have to change mask. I use the F40 and it was good at first but who knows now. It all seems a hassle sometimes but I need the best health I can have now at 72! Good Luck to you!

@brendaelk1
Do you still have the CPAP you were using? I don’t know what kind of insurance you have, but you and I are almost the same age(I’m 71) so if you’re in the US you probably have Medicare. I know they won’t pay for two cpaps at once, so did you have to get rid of the cpap or was it paid off after 3 years?
If you continue to struggle with the bipap and the dr you have isn’t helpful, one option is to go back to the CPAP while you look for another dr. An ahi of 15 with the bipap suggests to me that something isn’t adjusted right or it’s not the right machine for you.
What was the major issue with the CPAP? Pressure wrong? If it was a resmed airsense it can be operated as an autoset that has a minimum and maximum pressure which can both be adjusted. There’s also a feature called epr(exhale pressure relief)that can be turned off or adjusted from 1 to 3.
Not telling you to do this, but getting into the clinical settings is very easy. I suspect most of us who have survived CPAP learned how to do it out of necessity. YouTube has videos that explain it.
Best of luck whatever you decide!

@kudzu Yes, I have insurance and I had the Resmed 10 for over 2 years and I just got a bipap Air Curve 10 this last Friday due to the in-lab sleep study. I am not use to it yet! At frst I was having too much air going in and I was swallowing it I guess. I finally got 5 hours on it last night but due to missing a lot of sleep I took a nap today and I guess the water tank was filled too full because I got water in the mask and tubing! It said I just had 4 minutes, and I had a good hour and half! I looked on settings and the leak alert was not on, and I guess that is why it did not show it. I do not know a lot about it, but my IPAP is 17.0 and EPAP is 10.0. Humidity is set at 4? which is default I believe. So, I will try it again tonight. I am so adamant at getting some good sleep. I knew the Cpap was not helping me, but I had other medical problems like chemo and radiation I was going through so CPAP was kinda on the back burner!! My pressure on the CPAP was 6-20Cm H2O. Yes I know how to get into clinical studies but I don't want to change too much! Thanks for replying!!