CPAP SetBack

[brothermike]

I took to the hose like a duck to water. Got my BiPap machine in early March of this year and used it faithfully till the night of June 23rd. I just couldn't hack it for the first time. I took it off and it stayed off till I got back from the hospital on July 2nd. Seems I had suffered an abscess on my sigmoid secondary to diverticulitis. So, even now, I have yet to sleep normally after all this disruption in my life. Multiple I.V's all week, not eating.....all week...blood cultures at all hours...I'm back home and doing well....but...my relationship with my Bi Pap machine has changed. I usually get some aerophagia that passes through me w/o noticeable discomfort...however, right now I'm gun shy about my guts...and although I've slept at least a few hours a night...I haven't yet settled in to my normal patterns..let's say and I have removed my mask in the latter hours of my sleep. I expect to return to normal usage as I continue to gain confidence in the stability of my colon. Genetics...hmmn...

[Sheriff Buford]

Try to get back to using your bipap. Place some tape over your mask straps. That way, if you try to remove the mask at night, it will be difficult and you may be awakened.

Prior to your health setbacks, you should have worked yourself (or close to it) into a position that you would not spend another night without cpap/bipap therapy. I personally don't think that the medical community realizes (or proven) the importance a good night's sleep is to your overall health. The damage that we do to our body with sleep apnea is tremendous. At some point you will get back into the swing of things and you'll never want to spend another night without therapy. When i reached that point I bought the S9 and have my S8 as a back up machine. It was that important to me. Hopefully you'll reach that stage.

Sheriff

[HoseCrusher]

Hang in there. Sometimes when you get knocked down it takes baby steps to get you moving again. Take the baby steps and keep moving.

[DoriC]

Brothermike, hospitalizations also seem to disrupt my husband's cpap pattern for a few weeks until he settles down again. It might be some sort of post-traumatic stress. The transition back to home can be quite disturbing. Be patient and give it some more time. Good luck.

[Breathe Jimbo]

Your best friend there needs you to take care of yourself.

[OutaSync]

I can certainly understand your fear of getting air trapped in a colon that has just gone through surgery!! Yikes! It's bad enough with an intact colon. I hope you heal quickly, BrotherMike, and can soon feel comfortable using your BiPap again.

[brothermike]

An update: I tried to get back into the program two nights ago and managed about 3 hrs...got up earlier than normal and although I had the dreaded bloat, it was seemingly benign and things seemed to be moving normally. Last night I tried again and gave it up after about an hour?...My digestive system is still on the mend and I won't invite discomfort.

I really appreciate all of you who have made a positive response to this in comments.