Nippies

[Sheilab123]

Hi guys and gals, can I ask if any of you fall asleep before putting your mask on? I have a few times then get cross with myself in the morning even though I detest the thing! Xx

[mrsmummy]

Hi Sheilab, my brother took ages to get used to his and I suspected that the discomfort he experienced when wearing it played a part in the number of times he fell asleep without it. I became a bit of a nag and kept telling him how important it was to wear it He eventually went back and explained and the nurses were very helpful in identifying one that fit him better. Now it is more comfortable he never forgets to put it on.

[Sheilab123 in reply to mrsmummy]

Thank you mrs.m. Mine is not uncomfortable, it doesn't fit well though, so I will ask. I don't forget on purpose, honest! Xx

[Watfordgirl]

Hello Sheila,

I put mine on while I'm still sitting up, then jiggle it when I lie down if it needs it, which is rarely. You could do what mrsmummy suggests and see if a different mask is better for you.

I've never missed a night because it scares me that I'd feel awful if I didn't have it. At times when I've been proper poorly I've welcomed the way I know it will breathe for me and we're quite good friends now!

Take care Sue x

[Sheilab123 in reply to Watfordgirl]

Hi Sue and thank you. I think it's the head harness (that sounds like it's for a horse) I'm going in for another sleep study next month so hopefully get it sorted then. I totally agree with you, when I'm bad it's a relief to put it on. Sorry to hear you haven't been well of late, hope your feeling better now. Xx

[Sheilab123]

Hi Sue and thank you, I think another head harness (sounds like it's for a horse!) might be a good idea, as its forever venting or alarming during the night. I'm going in for a sleep study next month so we will see. It is a relief to wear it when I'm bad. It's not my friend yet though!! Sorry you have not been well of late and hope your feeling better now. Xx

[Sheilab123]

Didn't mean to reply twice, not techy!

[gingermusic]

No way would I sleep comfortably with a mask on, so why are you not asking to try cannulas in place of the mask so much better, or least I think so.

[Watfordgirl in reply to gingermusic]

As far as I remember Sheilab 123 has a mask and a Nippie machine for CO 2 retention which is not the same at all as oxygen therapy. If you retain CO2 you need a machine to breath it out for you under pressure while you sleep. Otherwise it poisons you and you feel terrible. You are in effect in respiratory failure and the machine is a non-invasive ventilator.

Sue x

[Sheilab123 in reply to gingermusic]

Thank you for reply ginger music but Sue has explained why not (much better than I would!) Xx

[Wullie2009]

Do not do this unless you are totally daft!

I ideally need to sleep with my Oxygen on otherwise it becomes [almost] impossible to meet the 15+ hrs a day because I need Long Term Oxygen Therapy [LTOT]. I am therefore so much more fortunate than a number of people who have the essential need of oxygen through the need.

In all of this then I am perhaps not as fastidious as I ought to be but I do get some details down. Upon awaking i try and remember to write down both the time and Oxygen % Saturation level and general conditions. This morning was amusing which is why I advise not doing this but it did keep me smiling for a few hours.

Why am I writing this in answer to this post you may well ask? Because my cannula had slipped off during the night and I hadn't a clue when.

Suffice to say, upon waking with no oxygen running through as it should have been, the % saturation was well below normal operating percentages. I do know we all differ but trust me, it was very low.

Feeling in a very bouncy mood I wrote down that time and percentage in total clarity, or at least that was what I thought. The writing I knew to be crystal clear at the time was totally ineligible as too were several notes made within about ten minutes of waking.

Sadly I have tried the mask and lasted an hour: it is just too obtrusive. I am perfectly happy with the Cannula and find it no trouble at all. I even chug about in it when out and about on my scooter and almost forget I have it on. My challenge overnight is that the tubing just catches on something and as a result becomes dislodged two to three nights a week. Me on one side of the bed and the cannula speaking to me from the other. We are good friends really.

Yes the absence of the appropriate Oxygen has an impact, my totally ineligible writing is a prime example. at the time of writing I could read it perfectly! You would find it amusing too if you saw what i had written. It is good to see that through all the varying challenges we face, there are some amusing sides as well.

So here's wishing you a day of at least a little amusement somewhere along the line today

[mrsmummy in reply to Wullie2009]

I had the same problem but solved it by speaking to my oxygen nurse and supplier who were able to give me an smaller cannula to use. I know others have had this too so please do go back to them.

[Sheilab123]

Thank you Wullie, you have certainly made me smile, the joys of oxygen! Sue explained perfectly why I have to have the mask. Hope you have had a good day also. Xx