Re:new to bipap

Hi everyone
I'm writing on behalf of my husband,who has been diagnosed with sleep apnea.We found out for sure in feb,it took many weeks to get results.He has had 3 sleep studies.The first 2 were a waste of precious time.He is a mouth breather & they made him use a nasal mask,which he can't breathe out of his nose due to allerigies.Then when they saw he was having more apneas with the mask they refered him to a E N T .by then it was almost to late.He was falling asleep,literally everywhere.One dr. prescribed him provigil (200mg)1x a day to get him through till he could be prescibed the right kind of machine & mask.The provigil worked for a month & 1/2 then he went right back to sleeping.
It got to be so BAD that he had to be hospitalized over the weekend.He was very close to inubation.He lost all motor skills,couldn't talk or move.
I would tap his foot & he would try to talk but really only could slur.It was very scary!!
The doc put him on a bipap with pressure from 16-24 (if that makes sense...I know it's high)He came around slowly.They released him on Sat night to do another study(this one at a different center,much nicer & the techs were kind & understanding)He came out of that study GREAT.He wasn't 100% but at least able to function.
My question to you all is it normal to take awhile to get back in the swing of things? I've read & heard that once people get on the machine they quickly rebound.He is having a hard time.The machine was delivered yesterday,so he was on it only last night & some times today while napping.He seemed to do much better with the bipap they used at the sleep study.
I'm very scared.all thoughts will help me
Thanks

Christine,

My question, is your husband still on a bipap, and is it the same 16/24 pressures? Or were the pressures lower? And at the second sleep study, did they test him with cpap with him using a full face mask?

I have a bipap, and it has been a struggle for me to deal with the pressures. Part of it may be due to weak lungs, for me. But that 24 is awfully high, I am guessing that's not his current inhale pressure, or am I wrong? I guess I'm trying to figure out what's different between his home use and his sleep study use of a bipap. But it could take time to feel better. But you still need to know how he's doing on this. Be sure to get copies of the sleep study reports for your files, because there is useful information in those.


Linda

There are a lot of very experienced people (not me!) on this forum, and they can help more if they know specifics.

Can you find out what brand and model of BiPap he was using at the sleep study (call the sleep center and ask), and let us know that and what brand and model he has now...

Also, the type and brand of face mask makes a big difference. Let us know what he is using.

Moogy

It takes a while to feel better, yes, but often it also takes some tweaking of the therapy.

My husband is using the mirage ff mask & his machine is by respironics.
Its a bipap /pro 2.its set 18/12. I guess he is showing so improvment,at least he can function at times. I don't know...it's very scary.I havn't seen anyone at this site who has sleep apnea as severe as my husband. The pulmanologist says he sees this all the time,so he really isn't concerned.I'm just worried because of what I saw my husband go through at the hospital.He is a very outgoing person & to see him unable to lift a fork to his mouth or not be able to talk...it very frightening!! I'm glad I found this web site.It gives me hope!
Thanks

I would suggest you get a copy of his report, and post some of his stats and others can help you understand what is going on with your husband.

It may take some time for your husband to feel better. Many of us are taking months and months to slowly feel better. One day it just occurs to you how much better you feel.

Important to know how many apneas he is having, his index, and his ox levels.

The more info, the more people can help!

I'll get his report ....hopefully tomorrow.This doc is very hard to get a hold of.he's very good at what he does, but has no bedside manner.My husband is a physican as well,so he is not a very good patient.I'm thinking the longer he's on the machine the more improvement we'll see.Just taking one day at a time& hope for the best.I'll post info of report as soon as i get it.

Did your husband have a good night last night? Is he able to keep the mask on all night?

If so, it sounds like the therapy is working, even if it is slow.

It seems that most cpap and bipap users find that they start feeling better within a few days, but full recovery takes several weeks or months. Your husband had a very severe problem, so his body is going to need some time to adjust. If he keeps getting better, and if the doctors think he is doing ok, then things are probably ok. If his improvement stops, though, he might need some adjustments.

Is he renting the machine or did your insurance buy it?

Is this his machine?
https://www.cpap.com/productpage/respir ... ifier.html

This Automatic BiPAP model is newer and MUCH more flexible, and costs very close to the same. You might want to check to see if he can get it instead.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/bipap- ... ifier.html

Hang in there, and when your husband feels well enough, send him to this forum for some support!

Moogy

Hi! I've been using a bipap since the middle of November 2005. I can say that I am very very much better than I was before. My AHI is 128, and my bipap settings are 14/4. I was falling asleep on the way to work, at work, and on the way home (my husband drives). I don't do that any more. I think that I had a peak where I felt super good, and now am hoping for more. I have central sleep apnea and I don't know how long it affected me, so I don't know how long it will take to reach a full recovery. But I can function and think again and that is very good.

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