Hi everyone, I'd appreciate info on this, i know nothing about how they work.
GP visited yesterday and we jointly decided to leave it til monday to see if i should go to hospital and that that is what they might give me.
Many thanks to all for the lovely messages and posts. As Ruby says, good karma vibes are reaching me 
xx
Hi 02, don't know much about CPap machines but if you're definitely suffering from sleep apnea, it should help that.
As regards going into hospital, unless your local hospital is the pits, then I would seriously urge you to consider it. If you have an infection then some IV abs would help you to get over it much more quickly. Also, you really need to have that whole GERD thing looked into because it sounds like it's causing you major problems and would definitely be making your breathing worse. When in hospital they generally redo all the major tests and this would mean getting them all done at once rather then trailing in and out to outpatients on different days and probably waiting a long time. You would also have a chance to discuss your condition in much more detail with the respiratory team and benefit from regular nebs and 02 therapy. It would also take some of the pressure off you and the constant fretting about should-I/should-I not call the doctor/go into hospital etc. Sometimes it's a relief to have someone make a decision for you and if your GP thinks you should go into hospital ( and can get you a bed) then why not give it a go ?
Sorry for the lecture but I know what it's like to be sick for week's on end and trying to do everything to avoid a hospital admission. I've done this so often myself and always end up having to go in eventually. Then I wonder why I didn't just do it sooner. After all, if you do go in and feel that it's not helpful, you can ask to go home.
I really hope you turn the corner and get over this exacerbation soon. It's been way too long and you must be absolutely worn out.
Thinking about you and Rita and hoping for a big improvement for you both. Xx
Pete used one but didn't like it. Trust me that is nothing to go by! as Pete does not like anything much. It is a great machine that you fit at night and use a small mask over your nose and mouth which lets in oxygen (I think). It helps you to breathe well without snoring or stopping breathing so you get a restful nights sleep. I think it is worth a try and could work out very well for you. Lots of people get on well with the CPap machines.
Good luck O2 and let us know how things go. Great vibes coming your way and hugs too. xxxxxxxx
Hi O2Trees. Mike had sleep Apnoea very bad. He had a C Pap machine and the difference was amazing. Before he had it he only had to sit down for a cup of tea and he would be gone to sleep. He used to stop breathing for several seconds and I would be laid beside him wondering when he was going to take his last breath. He even went to sleep driving and ended up the other side of the road. We were very lucky nothing was coming the other way. After the C Pap he was a transformed man. The Nurses will set it up for you. You turn it on , put the mask on and that's all there is to it. It may take a while to get used to it but it's magic when you do. Mike took to it straight away but I have a Nephew with the same thing and he won't persevere with it. X
It may be that the machine works but you are opening your mouth? Constant air pressure is maintained only if you breath only through the nose. Hard to do at first as instinct opens the mouth to get air. Is it like my avatar pic?
Hi O2, so sorry you are still so unwell. I was hoping by now you would have picked up a bit. Don't blame you for not going into the hospital over the weekend what with the skeleton staff and agency workers. Although I'm sure if you had to go in you would be looked after it's not quite the same. Hope Rita is feeling better.
I've only heard only good things about the cpap although was unable to use it myself but I was very ill at the time. There are a few people at the breath easy group who have them and say the cpap changed their life so go for it and persevere with it. Good luck for Monday and take care O2. We'll be thinking of you. Sara x
For lots of info on Sleep Apnoea go to hope2sleep.com You should really be seen at your local Sleep Clinic, they will test for OSA and provide a machine if needed. Persevere with it, strange at first but helps so much.
I don't know anything about them O2 but I see by the replies that the others do. I hope it works for you and that you are much improved.
Hi I have used a cpap machine for 5 years, I love it for once I get a good sleep and and wake up not feeling tired, the most important thing is I don't stop breathing when I am asleep, I use a full mask cover mouth and nose, or they do a mask that covers just the nose, I take mine everywhere I go and could not live without it you will get used to the mask very quickly, wish you good luck
I have a Cpap u have to persevere with it,once you get used to it it's fine ,i have never slept so well since useing it some 3 years now
bi pap and CO2 retention
BI PAP EMERGENCY BACKUP !
Anyone else out there spent a bit of time in one of these C-pap helmets.
C PR
CPAP MACHINE
