5-year-old with apnea....

ConfusedDad · Post by **ConfusedDad** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:13 pm

My 5 year old son has been diagnosed with OSA and they doctors have told me that it is very severe, they have suggested a full face mask, but I am almost positive that Bradin will not wear this thing. What do I do
-Confused Dad

rock and roll · Post by **rock and roll** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 11:20 pm

If he needs Cpap you really don;t have a choice, Make a game of it. Show him starwars where they wear masks. Or dyvers. Make it somethung he is not scared of but wants to wear. It;s all in how you present it. Good luck.

AwakeinCA · Post by **AwakeinCA** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 11:28 am

I would look for a sleep doc who deals with children for advice. Try a large teaching hospitals.
Saying "there is no choice" is over simplifying the situation. Just look at the posts on this board from adults who have problems with CPAP usage. I can't imagine trying to convince a 5 year old this is good for him/her.

sharonokc · Post by **sharonokc** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 5:16 pm

Does anyone make a pediatric full face mask? I am adult, not particularly small and still have difficulty finding a full face mask to fit. Would a larger nose mask cover your son's mouth and nose? good luck

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:11 pm

I've never looked into it since both the RESmed and the Respironics FF masks fit me fine. But I'm sure I've read that there are pediatric FF masks for children on cpap. Perhaps cpap.com could special order one for you, Sharon? Might be worth asking them.

Hey, Johnny - cpap.com could be "the place to go" for women who have trouble finding a full face mask that fits a small face. Perhaps you might want to add at least one child-size full face mask to your line-up.

cktan · Post by **cktan** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 7:20 pm

ConfusedDad wrote:My 5 year old son has been diagnosed with OSA and they doctors have told me that it is very severe, they have suggested a full face mask, but I am almost positive that Bradin will not wear this thing. What do I do
-Confused Dad

The cause of OSA in children is not exactly the same as adult.
CPAP will not be the ONLY choice for a child.
There are more chances for a suscessful surgical intervention in children especially those with large tonsils. I think you should seek for a second opinion, preferably from an ENT doctor(otolaryngologist) who is experienced in performing the operation.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Dec 09, 2004 9:32 pm

Are CPAPs aproved for use in children ? Resmed says for treatment of adults .. Just a thought...

ClareMcD · Post by **ClareMcD** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 6:38 am

I don't have sleep Apneoa, I use a BiPAP because my breathing muscles are weak. I started using it when I was seven. As others have said, first of all find a Children's hospital that are used to dealing with young kids on CPAP & BiPAPs. If his OSA is severe them he'll be feeling pretty rough at times, talk to him, explain whats happening. It can be scarry, but fear of the unknown can be overcome if he understands whats going on and why he needs it. At seven I understood that we breathe in air which has oxygen in it, and breathe out carbon dioxide, but because when I went to sleep I didn't breathe enough my oxygen levels got to low and my CO2 went to high which gave me really bad headaches. If he understands what going on then he'll feel as if he's in control of the situation. The first introduction should be done very carfully, it would probably be better if it was done by a understanding doctor or nurse, you should be there for him, but if you think he might rebel then it might be better if you kept your distance so its not 'you' thats making him do it. When I first tried my BiPAP I knew exactly what was going to happen and knew I needed this to make me feel better. I was in control, I'd already heard the machine on and held the mask against my hand to feel the pressure, I sat on the side of the bed holdong the mask myself, when I was ready I held it agsinst my face and signaled to the doc to switch on. The deal was that I took it off whenever I wanted, but after a couple of goes I decided that I was going to keep it on for 5 breathes and so on. I was a very gradual thing, fastening the headgear, lying down when awake reading or watching tv or something. Over next few weeks and months we gradually increased the length of time I was on it, once I was fairly comfortable with it I tried to sleep. It might help once he starts getting a bit more used to it if you make a chart for him with targets, when he reaches them he gets a treat. It is serious, and it not a game, but you have to make it a positive experience for him. Everyone was amazed at time that a seven year old could use a BiPAP, now much younger kids are put on them all the time. The one thing it taught me was don't underestimate kids!
Clare.

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:34 am

Excellent suggestions from Clare.

I also agree with cktan that if you haven't already sought out second (or even 3rd, 4th) opinions from the best ENT's you can find, I'd do that. Surely the original docs considered tonsil size (if the child still has his) but I'd still run...not walk...to get another opinion.

ablemonk · Post by **ablemonk** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 12:30 pm

Wonderful Posts.
I like Rockand Roll--if it is necessary, make a game of it and point out how really brave people wear masks -like astronauts when off-board and divers, etc. Play peek-a-boo or whatever. Maybe other kids would join in the game (but they don't get to keep the mask).
Follow through on the suggestion to get other opinions especially from pediatric otolaryngologists and pediatric pulmonologists at a large teaching hospital.
Take plenty of time to educate the boy and try to make analogies to things he already understands. You will probably find that the medical consultants will know where to get small pediatric size Cpap equipment.

And above all, good luck!

IllinoisRRT · Post by **IllinoisRRT** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:23 pm

I have just one pediatric CPAP pt- she is 7 years old, and I just got an order to increase her CPAP from 6-10. Poor thing! Anyway, the mask that the sleep lab recommended is Respironics profile lite in either small or petite, I can't remember. It fits over her nose and mouth. I think she's had success with it. Her mom had her play with the mask and get comfortable with it, and put it on (for brief periods) before the machine even came, just to get used to it. I can't imagine being a kid and having to wear it!

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 1:36 pm

Seems to me that if a child absolutely has to be on cpap, a machine with C-Flex would be much more comfortable for them.

Can you imagine being forced to use cpap, perhaps without a heated humdifier, without a comfortable mask, maybe having the initial ramp pressure set so low you were suffocating for air, or pressure set up where you struggle to exhale, no c-flex or bipap to give some relief on exhalation? Poor kids. Unless the RT or parents - someone - understands all the comfort issues, a child put on straight cpap is in for a tough time. Bad enough that adults are issued the cheapest, most basic equipment possible - but to do that to children.....

EbonyEyes · Post by **EbonyEyes** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:47 pm

get other opinions before settling for the first

it will take a moment for the child to get used to the CPAP machine but dont stop or give up cause so much time will and can be waisted

i wish my mom had known about OSA when i was a child cause there might have been a good outcome

but now a days there are so many things that can be done besides being put on a CPAP

5-year-old with apnea....

5-year-old with apnea....

confused Dad

CPAP and children

Re: 5-year-old with apnea....

Five year old with obstructive apnea