Re: Light weight vent

Marilyn Herdin (marilyn(AT)cybernex.net)
Wed, 19 Feb 1997 07:54:25 -0500

At 11:11 PM 2/18/97 EST, you wrote:
>Are the Impact Uni-Vent and the LP6 IPP (Intermittent Positive Pressure) or
>something else?
>
>Also - those of you using the PLV-100, how did you come to be using IPP
>rather than CPAP, BiPaP, or negative pressure? [I personally use the PLV-100,
>after starting with negative pressure, and then being told CPAP and BiPaP
>were not appropriate for my needs.] I'm just very curious about experiences
>of making a choice, as many stories told on these lists indicate to me that
>the therapists may not always be as knowledgeable as they should be, or might
>be pushing a particular product; or that the user may not understand the
>reason for which the vent was prescribed.
>
>Alan Fiala
>
>
Dear Alan:

I have a paralyzed diaghram due to polio and have been successfully using
the PLV-100 for ventilation while lying down or sleeping since June of 1996.
I starte dhavign difficulty breathing in 1991. The pulmonologist I was
seeing at the time prescribed a bi-pap for night use. I tried it many times
but just couldn't adjust to it. The doctor I see now prescribed the PLV-100
because I told him I couldn't adjust to the bi-pap. I recently saw another
pulmonologist(since mine retired!) and he suggested trying the bi-pap again
because it can be more portable and I understand they do make a portable
bi-pap that is great for travel. The bottom line of this story is that
they want me to have a repeat sleep study done with either the PLV-100 or to
try the bi-pap during the sleep study so the techs will be able to adjust it
while I'm sleeping. It seems that my CO2 has come down some but not what
they would like it to be. I'll be seeing the pulmonologist again soon and,
if my insurance will cover it, will have the sleep study done again.

Marilyn