BIPAP

[martina1959]

Hi,Everyone,

Have arrived home last week with a new BIPAP Machine ,I have never used one before but the nurse assured me I will feel invincible after using it overnight

Maybe she built it up too much because I feel far from invincible more shell shocked .

I'm finding it hard to get aquanted with I feel I have break my whole breathing pattern has anyone got any advice or tips which might help me

Many thanks Martina1

[jabber]

Hello Martina, don't worry - your nurse may have been a bit premature with the 'invincible' word as this is the first time you've used a bipap, but if you persevere you will soon feel very much better and invincible might then be the right word!

I've just read your other post and I see you have high CO2 levels. That is my problem too. I've now been using a bipap for just over 9 years and it's worked wonders. I had been very poorly with the high CO2 levels, so the improvement was very pronounced as soon as I started using it. I agree about getting used to adjusting your usual breathing pattern, but it really is worth persevering with trying to get into the rhythm the machine is setting.

But if you really can't manage the breathing, do ring or visit your respiratory unit and explain the problem. I'm sure they'll be able to help. I know on one occasion I had to phone the physio who'd set my bipap up for me and tell her it wasn't giving me enough time to breath out. She talked me through altering the pressures and timings very slightly and it was fine.

I do hope you are able to quickly get accustomed to using your bipap and that it helps you as much as mine helps me. I don't know why it works or how it gets the CO2 levels down, but I am very thankful it does.

Please let us know how you get on. And of course if you have more questions just ask. There are quite a few people here also using a bipap.

Good luck, Jan

[martina1959 in reply to jabber]

Hi jabber Thank you so much for your advice it's good to know I'm not alone I am persevering I find I wake up at night pulling it off I felt I was suffrercating but I have finally managed a whole night with it on 🤗🤗

Thanks again Tina

[jabber in reply to martina1959]

That's great Martina. I know it really does take some getting used to, but worth sticking it out. If you find the mask you are using causes problems, there are many others available - unfortunately our faces are not all the same size or shape! It took a while of trial and error before I found the one I'm now using.

Best of luck, Jan

[SquirrelsHolt]

Hi there,sorry to learn of your BIPAP causing problems from the very start. However, jabber has replied with first hand experience and that information at the touch of a few buttons is what makes this site so fantastic. Always so much better to hear first hand about all the up's and down's,and to know you're not alone. Its great to know how one persons advice can be trusted upon,because they've maybe travelled the same road as you.

Good luck!

[martina1959 in reply to SquirrelsHolt]

Squirrelsholt ,

Hi there your so right this site is great I don't have to wait to see my pulmony nurse to get advice 🤔

[Hidden]

Jabber said it all really. I found it difficult in the beginning. I changed to a different sort of mask and that helped a lot. Headaches from co2 are a thing of the past. I use the machine for at least 6 hour’s a night - don’t even know it’s there now. Hang in there I promise it will be worth it.

[martina1959 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Rayswife,

I'm sure I will get used to it ,I need to try to relax and stop panicking Thank you for your reply😉

[Karenblue in reply to martina1959]

Hi I have just come out of hospital with this machine I think it is doing my breathing better but I’m so anxious n panicky my heart feels its going so fast I can only stay on it for a hr have a break then bk on for hr n so on Alnight I feel I’m so lucky to be here but keep worrying abt it being for life any one else like this karen

[Hidden]

What is a it ?

[Karenblue in reply to Hidden]

Niv machine