No - pap at home

[sparkster]

Have had a Bi - pap machine at home for 4 months now.. struggling with it..

Anybody else ?

[annienell]

Sorry to hear you are struggling with the Bi-pap. We'll help if we can, but have you spoken to the team who supplied you with the machine to explain your problem? They should be in the best position to help you.

It's difficult for us to advise without knowing exactly what problems you are having. Is it the mask, or breathing with the machine or something else?

[sparkster in reply to annienell]

It’s taking some time to get an appointment with my consultant, but basically, I wake up bloated and painful joints. It’s set at 126/4.5

After some time, I am managing 8/10 hours per night ( but catching up on sleep durin the day)

I understand that I need to talk to my consultant, just thought there may be some tips out there to live with the machine..

[jabber]

Hi Sparkster, it's a shame you can't get a quick appointment with your consultant. I sometimes wake up feeling very bloated too, but in my case it's just extreme wind! When it first happened I woke feeling really nauseous and thought I was going to be very sick. But when I sat up meaning to get myself quickly to the bathroom, I immediately started burping for England - but when that finally stopped the nausea had disappeared too. It's only happened a few times since and seems to be when I've gone into a deep sleep and I assume I'm then swallowing a lot of air which needs to get out.

I don't suffer from painful joints though, so no idea about that. I'm surprised that if you are sleeping for 8 to 10 hours at night, that you still need a nap during the day. That does sound as if the bipap isn't working well for you.

I hope your consultant is helpful when you do manage to get an appointment.

[sparkster in reply to jabber]

Thanks jabber, you seem to have the same effects as I do on this infernal machine..

It’s often a real struggle, in the middle of the night, to keep it on, but with it being the best way of getting rid of the Co2, and a slight case of sleep apnea, it has to be suffered.

[jabber in reply to sparkster]

You're right. It's something that has to be persevered with and you'd be feeling much worse without it. We soldier on!

[astragal]

Hi Sparkster

I experienced that with the hospital Bipap. My home machine was set by Harefield and the consultant reduced the expiration level to 4 which helped. It may be worth asking if they could check and possibly adjust pressures as too strong a force might be pushing the air into the esophagus. It is called Aerophagia. Occasionally the pressure may be too low so air is gulped.

Does your mask fit comfortably? As leaks can effect it as can mouth opening.

It was also recommended I leave at least 2 hours between eating and using Bipap.

I hope you manage to get some relief, the tight, bloated feeling is really uncomfortable and doesn’t help with struggling breathing.

Take care and best wishes. 🌼

[sparkster in reply to astragal]

Thanks for that.. Will certainly be taking up those sorts of issues. Machine settings may well be too low/high..