1. < COPD: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Questions about the Use of a Trelegy 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.

iblvtoo | @iblvtoo | Nov 12 7:44pm

ive been on the trilogy for about a year, nine months or so. a lot of things happened, ,my lifestyle changed, work changed, i went ahead and retired. got real sick in jan 24, came out of the hospital 3 weeks later with a trilogy, o clear expectation of when to wear it, how long to wear it, etc. i came home to wearing it at night and when i napped in bed in the day time, intermittently bleeding 02 into the trilogy. sleeping with it on for 3-4 hours. then back ob a cannula till sunrise.

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copdbarb | @copdbarb | Nov 16, 2023
In reply to @brucerhowell "I started using a trillogy machine about two weeks ago passively with a mask as I..." + (show)
@brucerhowell

I started using a trillogy machine about two weeks ago passively with a mask as I have End Stage COPD being clusticforbic (sp) I have problem with the mask at time. But my question is this if this helps you breathe and helps reduce your trapped carbon dioxide from your lungs don't you just reinhale it the next breath you take. Where does the expelled carbon dioxide go if your wearing your mask like you should

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That is something I have wondered about also. I have a Trilogy machine, hardly ever use it as I do not understand just what you asked here. Also, when wearing it (mask) I do not feel any type of "gentle pull" of carbon dioxide as I was first told would be the case. I'm confused as to keeping it or not. I see my Dr. this month to discuss it. Trying to find information.

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 21, 2023
In reply to @arwen49 "A c pap forces you to breathe a timed and pressured way. Mine was to much..." + (show)
@arwen49

A c pap forces you to breathe a timed and pressured way. Mine was to much so I would start swallowing the rest causing awful belly aches. They are able to read your machine so it must be telling them something. If you get a bi pap your lucky. It’s hard to qualify for one. I had a chance to test one for two nights I am 74 it was so much calmer. If you see if you can try one out and see. It lets you breathe normally. It makes a big difference.

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@arwen49, are you now using a Trilogy machine or CPAP?

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kathleenshank68 | @kathleenshank68 | Oct 8, 2023
In reply to @copdwontbeatme "I was put on the Trilogy recently after using a CPAP for years. I was recently..." + (show)
@copdwontbeatme

I was put on the Trilogy recently after using a CPAP for years. I was recently diagnosed with COPD with CO2 retention. I almost passed into the afterlife after having kidney failure and septic shock. After two hospital stays in 2 months I started using the Trilogy. I found it easy to adjust to vs. CPAP. Because it most resembles your normal breathing pattern. The machine eliminates the CO2 build up by venting thru the upper mask. I also use oxygen hooked to it at night. I this machine will keep me alive and out of the hospital. That is worth the cost alone. It is pricey but I was able to get multiple cost breaks. I highly recommend it and advocate for its use. Every pulmonary dr. Has praised its technology.

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Totally agree with your comment. I had 3 sleep studies, and the final study result was the Trilogy, I have never had a problem with it. The only hospital stay in 2 years, the hospital Did Not have a Trilogy, and my Pulmonary Dr. Had it brought to the hospital!! They had CPap, & Bpap, I tried the Bpap, and hated it. Just did not feel secure enough for pulling the CO2, and the sleep apnea….that was me, Not my Dr.

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kathleenshank68 | @kathleenshank68 | Oct 6, 2023

I have end stage COPD, and retain CO2, and sleep apnea. Since I have been on the Trilogy, I have only been hospitalized 1 time, 2 weeks ago, before the Trilogy I averaged hospitalization every other month. I cannot imagine living without it. If I get tired in the afternoon, I take a nap, and put on my Trilogy. For me it has been a life saver. I have been on it for 19 months. My Pulmonary Dr. Has literally saved my life. I had 3 sleep studies, prior to the Trilogy, and the C pap, nor the B pap, did not accomplish what the Trilogy did.

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arwen49 | @arwen49 | Oct 6, 2023
In reply to @operatorco3 "I have been using the Trilogy machine for 2 years now thanks to my sleep study..." + (show)
@operatorco3

I have been using the Trilogy machine for 2 years now thanks to my sleep study doctor. She is not a pulmonologist but unlike my doctor and pulmonologist she was able to get the necessary test needed for the insurance to ok this Godsend of a machine. After the first night of using it I woke up refreshed, with energy and I actually dreamed. I hadn't done that in I don't know how long. I use a oxygenator with the machine. I am only 60 years old but was told that due to my condition I was now retired. Unfortunately my pulmonologist wants to remove me from this machine and put me on a bi-pap instead. He thinks I would do better with a non-invasive machine. I have no clue what non-invasive means. The only thing I can find is that this machine actually regulates itself to my breathing patterns whereas a bi-pap doesn't? Is this correct? If so, I have no idea why my doctor thinks this would be better and more beneficial for me.

Jump to this post

A c pap forces you to breathe a timed and pressured way. Mine was to much so I would start swallowing the rest causing awful belly aches. They are able to read your machine so it must be telling them something. If you get a bi pap your lucky. It’s hard to qualify for one. I had a chance to test one for two nights I am 74 it was so much calmer. If you see if you can try one out and see. It lets you breathe normally. It makes a big difference.

REPLY
1 reply
kathleenshank68 | @kathleenshank68 | Oct 4, 2023
In reply to @amandajro "Hello @bosabear20 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Members like @cepheid815 @stewie and @ess77 may be..." + (show)
@amandajro

Hello @bosabear20 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Members like @cepheid815 @stewie and @ess77 may be able to share their experiences with you.

Was this your experience? If so, how long have you been using the Trilogy?

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No……I wouldn’t think of anything other then a Trilogy, the hospital only has bp SPD, and I hate them, uncomfortable, and I don’t sleep but 3-4 hours with it…..

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maybe2 | @maybe2 | Oct 1, 2023

Why does my nose get ice cold when I use my trilogy machine? This usually happens within a half hour laying down at night.
It doesn't happen sitting up using it for 2 hours.

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operatorco3 | @operatorco3 | Sep 29, 2023

I have been using the Trilogy machine for 2 years now thanks to my sleep study doctor. She is not a pulmonologist but unlike my doctor and pulmonologist she was able to get the necessary test needed for the insurance to ok this Godsend of a machine. After the first night of using it I woke up refreshed, with energy and I actually dreamed. I hadn't done that in I don't know how long. I use a oxygenator with the machine. I am only 60 years old but was told that due to my condition I was now retired. Unfortunately my pulmonologist wants to remove me from this machine and put me on a bi-pap instead. He thinks I would do better with a non-invasive machine. I have no clue what non-invasive means. The only thing I can find is that this machine actually regulates itself to my breathing patterns whereas a bi-pap doesn't? Is this correct? If so, I have no idea why my doctor thinks this would be better and more beneficial for me.

REPLY
1 reply
kathleenshank68 | @kathleenshank68 | Jun 15, 2023
In reply to @duvie "Hello Everyone, Perhaps we can all learn together in case someone else could use some info..." + (show)
@duvie

Hello Everyone,
Perhaps we can all learn together in case someone else could use some info on possible benefits of using a Trilogy machine.

The Trilogy machine, after approval, was started in 2009. From members of another site, the Trilogy machine is much like a Bipap but can be more finely calibrated and adjusted to meet individual needs. Where as, a Bipap can be set at two separate flow rates, the Trilogy not only can be set at two separate flow rates but can also sense a person's breathing difficulties and adjust automatically to that particular patient's needs. It is also equipped with several different alarms so patient or caregiver can be alerted of possible dangers of problems.

I have awaken to find her mask on the floor getting NO oxygen using the Bipap and NO alarm sounding.
There was one member who says he would be dead if not for his Trilogy machine. He says, when he falls to sleep his BPM rate drops then breathing stops. The Trilogy machine detects this automatically and starts filling his lungs with air.

According to Respironics can be used for many different diseases and conditions including COPD. It is a ventilator and can be used with a trach or a mask.
With more sophisticated technology also comes more expensive costs. I've seen prices for a unit from over $17,000 to just over $100. Supposedly some insurances pay most of it, if not all the cost. Some have a co-pay that can vary in monthly prices.

Tomorrow we have a visit with her Pulmonary Dr. Don't now yet if the PCP has spoken to him in regards to a Trilogy machine or not.
Guess we will find out tomorrow.

Thanks to all for their comments and a special thanks to @waterboy for posting the links.

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I have been on the Trilogy sleep system, for over a year, I Retain CO2, and have severe sleep apnea. I had been in ICU, before the Trilogy, and intubated because of the buildup of CO2, it is my Life saver. I can’t even imagine my life without it. If I fall asleep during the day, with only my Oxygen on(I’m on 4 liters 24 hrs a day) I will get on my machine, and take a nap, since the Trilogy “pulls” the CO2. And I can tell if CO2 has started grabbing on! I wasn’t diagnosed with COPD, until It was too late. And Yes I Smoked…for 50+ years‼️ I’m a fighter, and am 79 Years old!

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