Have any of you ever used a bi-pap machine to sleep at night? If so, what did you think?
My doctor thinks that I will benefit from using one. The only BIG problem is I can't stand anything that covers my face. I feel claustrophobic and like I am suffocating (even if I know im not.) I have never liked this feeling, so much so that I can't even have covers over my face. I don't know how to get over it.
My sats are fine when I am wearing my O2 at night but my dr lists off like 6 other things that would improve by using the bi-pap. My uncle has one because he has sleep apnea and he hates it and doesn't wear it.
They already brought in just the mask part so they could find one that might fit me (and so I could try it myself to see if I can get used to it) and as soon as they placed it on my face I start tearing up and getting upset.
I don't know I really need to hear some suggestions. Thanks.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
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3 comments:
I guess I don't understand why he would want you to use the bi-pap if your sats on O2 are fine at night? Would u mind telling us the benefits he listed for wearing it?
The one thing I have heard about bi-paps is that they can actually dry out the lungs more and make it harder to cough junk up... When I was in the ICU a couple years ago after a big bleed, the resident doc (not my dr) wanted me on a bi-pap cuz my CO2 levels were high, but my awesome nurse said she didn't think that was a good idea b/c of what I listed above. Maybe just ask your doc what he thinks of this?
I have never heard about them drying out the lungs. I've placed them on a lot of patients and they never mentioned anything like that.
There are plenty of masks that do not cover the face, just the mouth and nose. Check out some here
http://www.cpapman.com/masks.html
There are several machines/masks on the markets that will solve all of these problems.
Yes, hi flows and prolonged use (as well as the person keeping mouth open) will give a sensation of "dried out lungs" (airway) but this can be easily corrected with models that have humidifiers in the base (Respironics comes to mind).
A person does not have to have a significant desat episode to warrant the need. Several apneic periods definitely is cause for alarm and use.
Yes, someone with lots of secretions wearing a bipap for prolonged periods of time will dry out and pack secretions (as well as push deeper into bronchioles) making it more difficult to cough up.
Suction anyone?
As for masks, nasal masks are great and nasal pillows are fantastic, from what I have been told. And I have been told thousands of times from perhaps thousands of people what works and does not work. Usually it is a matter of preference.
Heavy snorers - if you don't want to keep your mouth shut you have two options - full face mask or chin strap.
If you keep your mouth open and snore with the positive pressure being forced through the nose the pressure goes out the mouth defeating the whole purpose of the machine.
And some machines can get over worked which may cause them to heat up, again leading to that dried out feeling along with keeping that mouth open.
The advantage - no flies can get in your mouth cause all that pressure blows them away :)
Usually as with all these devices/masks it is a matter of getting over that initial anxiety. Then all is well.
Unless your doc is a pulmonologist, you are wasting your time talking to any other doc about a bipap.
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Peace, have a good day, and have a good sleep!
Gerry
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