Bipap question...

[jacquelyn]

Hi everyone
My Dad is 77 and has been diagnosed with ALS for just over a year now. He has been on a bipap machine for 9 months and only takes it off now for small periods of time throughout the day (just to eat). His doctor has been increasing the pressure of the bipap machine now progressively as Dad needs it. Right now the pressure is on "18" but the doctor says that it can only be increased to "20' because after 20 he is unsure if Dad's lungs will be able to stand the pressure. This is kind of confusing to me and I was wondering if anyone else has had this experience.
Thanks

[quadbliss]

Hi Jacquelyn,

Your Dad's Doc is apparently not experienced with mechanical ventilation. Ventilators often reach levels well over 20. However, there is another issue. Some Bi-Paps only go to 20, and the highest setting I know of on any Bi-Pap is 22 cm H2O.

Mike

[Al]

I've never heard that one either. I think mine goes to 30 but I have been on 18 for 2 years now and last year they raised my EPAP from 6 to 8.
AL.