co2 retention with copd.

[barney55]

My consultant advised me to use a nippy machine at home as I have co2 retention. This worked and I felt good no headaches , brain freeze ,and fatigue , the trouble was it stopped working as well and my wrist blood levels made me hap something I cant remember the full name , I was attending a appointment with the respitary nurses and when my overnight oximeter was checked it was bad . The short of it is a compressed oxygen machine along with the nippy every night for 8hrs . its worked and now my life is back to the way it was before . The mask I wear is getting me down , has anyone any tips on sleeping with a mask on. I am a returning member and wish everyone a merry Xmas xx

[mrsmummy]

Barney do chat to the people who supply your machine as they will have other masks you can try.

[Watfordgirl]

Hi Barney,

I agree with mrsmummy. I wear a mask every night, all night as do quite a few people here.

There are Related Posts on the right hand side which might help. Or if you can let us know what your specific problems are, we'll do our best to make our suggestions helpful.

One thing - please don't talk about Christmas just yet!!

Take care, Sue x

[barney55 in reply to Watfordgirl]

Hi Sue I felt I was the only one wearing a mask all night , I have tried a few masks and still only get 3or 4 hours a night. mrsmummy the nippy machine I have is set at 18 and 6 I wear a full face mask as they seem to be most suitable for me, its the noise of the ventilator and thump of the oxygen machine , then when you start to get over the alarm bell starts and by the time I find the cause I'm wide awake . xx

[Watfordgirl in reply to barney55]

Since you've had changes made, I'd speak to the respiratory nurses first. I've got a ResMed machine but I know a few on here have got Nippy machines - don't know if that makes much difference, or any.

Is the alarm bell going on your machine or the concentrator?

I've had loads of dreadful nights but also as many when I've slept 9 hours. It can be sorted, a bit at a time.

What a game! S x

[barney55 in reply to Watfordgirl]

hi Sue its the nippy machine itself that sounds the alarm and it doesnt stop until i find the leak, its mad

[Watfordgirl in reply to barney55]

Ok. It sounds as though the straps are a bit loose. Try tightening them up a very small amount. A bit at a time. x

[Mandy6513]

I tried loads of masks but couldnt get use to a full face mask so opted for the nasal ones and they are so much better ...

eu-pap.co.uk/dreamwear-fitp...

[Watfordgirl in reply to Mandy6513]

We're all very different! Only managed two nights with the nasal cushions - but they're worth a try 🙂

[Mandy6513 in reply to Watfordgirl]

Yes there are a lot of options its just a case of trying them to see

[jabber]

Hi Barney, sorry you've been having problems with your mask. Mandy's mask sounds brilliant, but when I mentioned it to my physio at Southampton, she pointed out that it wouldn't help if you breathe through your mouth at all, which I know I do sometimes. If you don't breathe through your mouth I should think it's the most comfortable option.

If you have to settle for second best like me though, this is the one I've been using for a couple of years now and is by far the most comfortable one I've had in the 8 years I've been using a bipap.

eu-pap.co.uk/sleepweaver-an...

As Mrsmummy says, do talk to the people who supply your machine. I've always found the team at Southampton really helpful. They provided the cloth mask I now wear because I asked about it, having seen it recommended somewhere - possibly on this site. I don't know how many masks I've tried over the years, but they've always been willing to let me try something new if I'm not comfortable.

I hope you find something that suits you soon. Do let us know how you get on.

Best wishes, Jan

[O2Trees in reply to jabber]

Hi Jan, this probably wouldn't work at night, but when my nose is blocked and Ive been using oxygen I just stick the cannula in my mouth and breath the O2 in that way.

[2malinka]

I too use a NIPPY mask because of C02 retention. Used to wear a nasal one that seemed to stop working. Whilst in Watford General I was given a full face mask which at first was great! Could actually breathe and sleep. Now after three weeks it only seems to work for a couple of hours then my oxygen levels go down to 85 and the my heart rate increases to 113-118. It may need adjusting. I am going to Harefield on 7th December, so hopefully it can be sorted. Can't carry on like this as next day feel breathless and have absolutely no energy. I am still on a reducing dose of steroids since I was discharged from the hospital on 10th November. Perhaps you need to get yours checked? I believe the hospital that provides these NIPPYS' do regular checks. I use 2 litres of oxygen with my machine.

Hope this is helpful.

Malinka

[barney55 in reply to 2malinka]

Hi malinka im only on 1litre 8hrs a night , what you describe are the symptoms i had when i first had oxygen added to the Nippy. If your on 2litres and your stats are that low you may need the oxygen increased, please let me know how you get on. good luckxx

[ameliapoppy1234 in reply to 2malinka]

I have the full nasal mask also I have oxygen entrained through my bipap it has a humidifier attached but I turn it to 0 as it gets too warm for me to breath. I find I have a dry mouth when waking but also feels like my nose is blocked. I know I must sleep with my mouth open as I’m always wet with slaver, but I know it’s working as I had my bloods done and was going into respiratory failure after the nasal mask the day after had the bloods done again and levels was ok

[2malinka]

Thanks, Barney.

I will as the Consultant at Harefield Hospital when I for the NIPPY review on 7th December. As I could only stand the NIPPY Mask for an hour last night. This morning I used the nasal one for about 3 hours. Still feel very breathless.

Thanks

Malinka

[barney55 in reply to 2malinka]

Hi Malinka Its a pity you can only stand the Nippy for such a short time. I stay on for about 8 hrs mostly awake and i feel great when i come of it. Treat the Nippy as a friend and dont be afraid , i know its easy for me to say as im not in your body but you will feel good and even get a breath and that lasts me a few hours before i dip and get very tired, but that few hours is worth it.

good luck on the 7th x

[2malinka in reply to barney55]

I have a problem with the settings on the machine. I think it needs to be adjusted. Right now I just feel breathless and my heart rate is very high. Normally it is very restful and my breathing is in zinc with the machine. The full facial mask was great at first and then sats dropped and heart rate was raised. Maybe it is something do do with the reducing dose of steroids I am currently on. Feel awful today. Absolutely no energy, I can barely get about.. Luckily I am due at Harefield Hospital on 7th for a NIPPY review. Hopefully they can sort the machine.

Thanks for your respone

Malinka

[ameliapoppy1234 in reply to barney55]

I’m on my nippy all the time where as at the beginning I would use it now I wouldn’t be without😊

[2malinka]

Forgot to mention that I was so desperate last night for some sleep that I took a sleeping pill: Big mistake,,still no sleep. Then to make matters worse took 2mg of diazepam in the morning. Took me ages just to get out of bed and feed my poor cat. Five hours later and still don't feel so good. Luckily my sisters are coming over later.

Take care

Malinka