Questions about the Use of a Trilogy Machine

Posted by Errol, Alumni Mentor @duvie, Mar 2, 2018

Hello Everyone, Pt diagnosed with COPD and congestive heart failure this time last year. Has been readmitted 1/19/18 to 1/31/18 out for about 2 weeks and admitted again for 4 days for shortness of breath and slight fever. Went to the PCP Tues. for follow-up and there was talk of placing her on a triolgy machine. She currently uses an oxygen cannula during the day and a Bipap at night.

My questions are;
1)...Is this almost the same as a Bipap?
2)...How is it different?
3)...Do they prescribe this for end stage COPD?
4)...Does the use of a Triolgy machine mean permanent use?
5)...What are the pros and cons of use?
6)...How do patients feel about use it?
7)...Any questions to ask the pulmonary Dr next Friday?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Support Group.

I have a few questions about the use of the T Machine, I have been using it since January very pleased with how it makes me feel but have questions. Is it ok to ask about them

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@stewie

I have a few questions about the use of the T Machine, I have been using it since January very pleased with how it makes me feel but have questions. Is it ok to ask about them

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Air gets under my mask and makes a horrible noise halfway through the night. It is very tight when I put it on. Does anyone else have this problem, Thanks so much

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@stewie

Air gets under my mask and makes a horrible noise halfway through the night. It is very tight when I put it on. Does anyone else have this problem, Thanks so much

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I use a nasal pillow with my CPAP. The strap was recently redesigned and works close to perfect. All the system is Phillips and the redesigned headgear has a thin rigid strap halfway between the hose and the nose pillow. Very little noise so far.

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@cepheid815

I use a nasal pillow with my CPAP. The strap was recently redesigned and works close to perfect. All the system is Phillips and the redesigned headgear has a thin rigid strap halfway between the hose and the nose pillow. Very little noise so far.

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Thanks so for the information I will try that thanks again

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@stewie

Thanks so for the information I will try that thanks again

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Hello, @stewie, @cepheid815 and others. Well, it happened again. I just a half hour ago sent you a message. It's disappeared. I'll never get used to losing all that thought and work.....
I use a BiPap nightly. It is saving my life. This has been quite a journey getting to this place of loving my breathing machine!

Had a cpap several years ago, quit using for various reasons. Then things changed after I started going to Mayo doctors. A night hooked-up to all the tests and seeing the results, I made a decision to make this work. I have severe obstructive apnea,- 46 events per minute, with multiple events over 60 sec w/o breathing, asthma and CHF, Sarcoid lung, not active presently. Chronic bronchitis which I haven't had since using this machine every night!!!! So, this is how it works for me.

This new machine is excellent. It's really quiet. Much smaller. Easier to use and set up. I did something very important.....bought a SoClean machine on sale from the company I got the BiPAP machine. Very important to my proper, nightly usage since I have have difficulty cleaning the things due to arthritis and other issues. I put the headgear, nasal pillow inside the machine, attached to the hose and the BiPAP machine so it cleans it all, including the water container. I use a heated hose, very important to me as I keep a cool room and the warm air is comfortable to breath.

Also, something which may help you with comfort.....I use the small nasal pillow. Experts tried to get me to use medium or small medium, but they leaked and were not comfortable, had to adjust all night. So, it's small size for me. It fits just right under my nose, not over it nor inside, and requires little adjusting at all. I have almost no leaking. No noise. I can not have anything over my nose or mouth, face at all. AND, the hose is connected to the top of my headgear. Not at the nose or face. It's much more comfortable for me and easy to manipulate during the night when I turn over. I do move a lot, as I must sleep on my sides, can't breath on my back, I have RLS, severe, and take iron +C and Requip for that. What a difference they make.

So, there you go. While I don't use Trilogy now, I depend entirely on the BiPAP for my health and survival. And, it's keeping me much healthier as I haven't had any bronchitis or lung infections since using it regularly. Sinus infection is down as well. There are times I want to use it during the day, as sometimes I can't get my breaths easily, but hope that will ease up as allergies and mold issues are gone!

Blessings to you on your breathing journey. I hope some of my information and experiences may help you.
Elizabeth

suggestion: once you find the right mask or nasal couch or pillow, and do keep trying until you are really comfortable.....the machine provider will work with you to find the best for you. Same with headgear, hose in front of face or on top of your head. I prefer on top of the head with a 6' hose so I can move around more easily. Also, change your mask or nasal pillow often to keep it fitting well, therefore no leaks. I have very few leaks now that I've come to this procedure. Trial and error, work frequently with the experts with the machine. You can get this to work for you. ess77

REPLY
@ess77

Hello, @stewie, @cepheid815 and others. Well, it happened again. I just a half hour ago sent you a message. It's disappeared. I'll never get used to losing all that thought and work.....
I use a BiPap nightly. It is saving my life. This has been quite a journey getting to this place of loving my breathing machine!

Had a cpap several years ago, quit using for various reasons. Then things changed after I started going to Mayo doctors. A night hooked-up to all the tests and seeing the results, I made a decision to make this work. I have severe obstructive apnea,- 46 events per minute, with multiple events over 60 sec w/o breathing, asthma and CHF, Sarcoid lung, not active presently. Chronic bronchitis which I haven't had since using this machine every night!!!! So, this is how it works for me.

This new machine is excellent. It's really quiet. Much smaller. Easier to use and set up. I did something very important.....bought a SoClean machine on sale from the company I got the BiPAP machine. Very important to my proper, nightly usage since I have have difficulty cleaning the things due to arthritis and other issues. I put the headgear, nasal pillow inside the machine, attached to the hose and the BiPAP machine so it cleans it all, including the water container. I use a heated hose, very important to me as I keep a cool room and the warm air is comfortable to breath.

Also, something which may help you with comfort.....I use the small nasal pillow. Experts tried to get me to use medium or small medium, but they leaked and were not comfortable, had to adjust all night. So, it's small size for me. It fits just right under my nose, not over it nor inside, and requires little adjusting at all. I have almost no leaking. No noise. I can not have anything over my nose or mouth, face at all. AND, the hose is connected to the top of my headgear. Not at the nose or face. It's much more comfortable for me and easy to manipulate during the night when I turn over. I do move a lot, as I must sleep on my sides, can't breath on my back, I have RLS, severe, and take iron +C and Requip for that. What a difference they make.

So, there you go. While I don't use Trilogy now, I depend entirely on the BiPAP for my health and survival. And, it's keeping me much healthier as I haven't had any bronchitis or lung infections since using it regularly. Sinus infection is down as well. There are times I want to use it during the day, as sometimes I can't get my breaths easily, but hope that will ease up as allergies and mold issues are gone!

Blessings to you on your breathing journey. I hope some of my information and experiences may help you.
Elizabeth

suggestion: once you find the right mask or nasal couch or pillow, and do keep trying until you are really comfortable.....the machine provider will work with you to find the best for you. Same with headgear, hose in front of face or on top of your head. I prefer on top of the head with a 6' hose so I can move around more easily. Also, change your mask or nasal pillow often to keep it fitting well, therefore no leaks. I have very few leaks now that I've come to this procedure. Trial and error, work frequently with the experts with the machine. You can get this to work for you. ess77

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One other suggestion to you all....use the SoClean nightly. And. I had trouble setting it up correctly and understanding. YouTube has several good instructional videos that helped me so much. Worth a try! ess77

REPLY
@ess77

One other suggestion to you all....use the SoClean nightly. And. I had trouble setting it up correctly and understanding. YouTube has several good instructional videos that helped me so much. Worth a try! ess77

Jump to this post

I don't have a BiPaps machine Mine is a ventulator, I have stage 4 COPD, It has really helped a lot with my breathing during the day. I have no problem with the hose, Just the mask but I am working on a few things. Thanks so much for your input

REPLY
@stewie

I don't have a BiPaps machine Mine is a ventulator, I have stage 4 COPD, It has really helped a lot with my breathing during the day. I have no problem with the hose, Just the mask but I am working on a few things. Thanks so much for your input

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Stewie, to learn more about how others have found solutions for a good mask fit, you might wish to review the discussions in the Sleep Health group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/sleep-health/

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@stewie

I don't have a BiPaps machine Mine is a ventulator, I have stage 4 COPD, It has really helped a lot with my breathing during the day. I have no problem with the hose, Just the mask but I am working on a few things. Thanks so much for your input

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The latest nose pillow strap will help. I went from noisy to almost quiet with my last strap which is flat and stiff. I tolerate the pressure easier and it’s easier to adjust.

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Does the Trilogy vent make you feel tired after first use.

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