NIV machine

[Littleeak]

I know ambulance waiting times have had bad press lately but I cannot fault them. On Sunday my husband's breathing was a lot worse than usual & his SATs had dropped to 61. I rang 111, got through immediately, was told that they'd request an ambulance. 15 minutes later it arrived! He was given oxygen & nebulisers , and eventually the brilliant paramedics persuaded him to go to hospital. Blue lighted.The usual treatment wasn't helping so he was transferred to NIV critical care where, fortunately the treatment began to work. He's been discharged this evening with a NIV machine.

Has anyone experience of using one every night?

[Katinka46]

Can’t help with your query about the NIV device but it is a great relief to hear that your husband had such prompt care from the paramedics and the hospital. We need positive stories at the moment.

Thank you

Kate x

[gingermusic]

Hi yes I have been using an NIV machine nightly for over a year now. Takes some getting use to and I find it fine apart from the fact that quite often the mask leaks and has to be taken off and repositioned. It certainly helps with my condition so grateful for it. Really hope he gets on with it well and feels better for it.

[leo60]

Hi Littleek, We hear so many bad reports of ambulance waiting times, it's good to hear positive ones. I have had to call an ambulance 5 times this year and never waited longer than 20 mins, which I think is excellent as I live out in the country! And what wonderful people they are!

I have had an NIV since January . I was terrified at first and never thought I would be able to sleep with it! It is now second nature and I wake up feeling completely refreshed. I agree with gingermusic to some extent about the mask, but I found my providers were very concerned about getting a good fit, so if you have a problem I would just ask!

Best wishes to you both, I hope your husband gets on well with it, Laurie xx

[Izb1]

Great to hear you have good service from our ambulance people Littleeak , they provide a wonderful service and dont get credit for what they do and if some people didn't abuse the service I am sure would work better. Sorry to hear hubby had a breathing problem but seems to have been sorted with this machine. I cant advise on this as i have never used one but am sure he will get used to it quickly x

[Straddie]

another good NHS story. I told my respiratory nurse at the Royal Lancaster yesterday that my nose had been bleeding from the canula for five weeks. After a helpful discussion he said he would send a face mask so I could avoid the nose canula for a while. I expected him to post it and that it would arrive some time next week. Not at all. It arrived this morning.

I have had wonderful treatment here in South Cumbria but an encounter with Bedford A&E certainly brought home the regional variations. Crowded, shockingly disorganised, uncaring.

[chillymaid]

My husband had to phone for ambulance last Thursday, I was struggling to breath. They arrived with in 10 minutes. The paramedics were a really good team. Did some tests, then a shot of prednisolone, then took me to A&E where I was seen straight away. Was allowed to come home later the same day, because I didn't live alone. Felt really looked after.