Re: Re: BiPap question--Thanks!

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Thanks everyone for your input.  I had a message on my recorder from the physical therapist when I got home from work today, but too late to call them back.  I will keep trying this weekend and if still crummy sleep, will ask on Monday to change delivery apparatus.  I chose the nose pillows (snorkel) because I thought it would be easier to get used to than the face mask!Oh well...Thanks again! RoxanneRoxanne, 59, South Carolina

2006 Asthma/ PF

2008 PF/ Sarcoidosis/Gerd

Lady Slipper OrchidSubject: Re: Re: BiPap questionTo: Breathe-Support Date: Thursday, October 1, 2009, 8:02 PM

 

Hi gang,

     I too use a c-pap and my Dr. At Emory said it is very Important to use the O2 with c-pap. He said it is more critical than most think. I used a full mask and tried a gel 2 weeks ago. I could not get the mask to seal. It may be my beard but I had to have it so tight it rubbed a sore on my nose. I am going back to a full regular mask. Joanie just got her c-pap today and got the nose piece. She is on 9 while I am on 18.

                                          Joe/Joanie 

 

   JOE & JOANIE LAMENSKIE

IPF JAN.. 2008

-- Re: BiPap question

  

I too have a CPAP. I absolutely love it. I have the quattro mask. I don't think I can use the gel mask because I have the auto adjust and have it set at a 13-16 range. Maybe it is just me. It also has a humidifier. The gentleman who fitted me for the mask says that in the summer he sets the humidifier at a lower (second dot) setting than winter. I have found his tip worthwhile. I also have a sleep doctor that recommends bleeding in 2 liters of oxygen from my concentrator. My pulmo dude says it isn't necessary. I take the middle road. If air quality in Salt Lake City is bad, I use it. If I have been feeling "under the weather", I use it. Otherwise, I do not use the additional 2 liters. I sleep so much better and I swear, my breathing is so much easier overall. I wake up well rested and my sat level upon waking is usually 94-96. I can't imagine where it was prior to that. I was not diagnosed with severe sleep apnea until this year but my sleep doctor

says I have probably had it for many years (6-10). It was one of the first questions I was asked in Denver. I had just been issued my CPAP at that point and had it with me while I was there. I had a couple of nights at first where nothing went right. It is so worth it to keep trying it.Stefani 61 year old UtahnILD 2/2006, NSIP (cellular) 6/2009, UIP 9/2009, Diabetes II 2/2006, Severe Sleep Apnea 4/2009> >> > Hi everyone!For those bipap or cpap users---how long did it take you to get used to using it?Friday will be 2 weeks since I picked up my bipap. I opted for the nose cushion type and I am having an

extremely hard time sleeping with it. I start off really well and its very comfortable and I fall asleep. But I am still tossing and turning and within a few hours I wake up with the hose and nose apparatus getting in my way and not allowing me to lie comfortably on my side (the respiratory therapist has advised I shouldn't sleep on my back). I end up pulling it off after 3 or 4 hours. I have slept through the night only once and slept more than 4 hours once.Also, I have a humidifier on my concentrator which the respirator therapist thought might be enough, but I have called my pulmo and asked if I needed another humidifier for the bipap due to having dry throat problems and sore throat this morning. Any input ? suggestions? Roxanne> > > > Roxanne, 59, South Carolina> > > > 2006 Asthma/ PF> > > > 2008 PF/ Sarcoidosis/ Gerd> > > > Lady Slipper Orchid> >>

Roxanne.> My experience with CPap was like yours. I tried for 3 months; two different masks. Result was 3 months of very poor sleep.> I know that many people swear by the mask..they sleep like babies. For me, it just didn't work. My pulmodude said 50% of his patients can not tolerate the mask. My advice: keep trying; try different types of masks; but don't beat yourself up if you're not sucessful.> Ted, 79, IL; IPF March 09>