Piping

[piping]

C an anyone tell me what a bipap machine is

[y_not]

It provides pressurised air via a mask (various types) at different pressure for the inhale & exhale motions. CPAP uses a constant pressure rather than two different pressures. Both are used for sleep apnoea.

Can I ask why you want to know?

[piping in reply to y_not]

Curious...I have COPD and had not heard of before.

[piping in reply to y_not]

I haVe COPD...HAD NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE.

[Mandy6513 in reply to piping]

I use one of these machines because i retain carbon dioxide which was making me really ill

[lyndene in reply to y_not]

Thanks I have a  CPAP machine  for 7 years and having trouble at night with oxygen I think, dull head in the morning and no energy things like that so I am having tests to check various things, so very interested in this bipap this mite solve my problem we'll see  

[Watfordgirl]

A BiPap machine is most commonly used for COPD patients who have Carbon Dioxide retention. This happens when the lungs during sleep don't clear the CO2 and it builds up in the lungs. Typically the person with this problem wakes up with a headache and can feel absolutely 'wasted' - no energy and little ability to get on and do anything very much at all. They also get more frequent exacerbations. The BiPAP machine corrects the O2/CO2 balance and has to be used every night. It's only used for CO2 retainers and therefore isn't that common which is perhaps why you haven't heard of it.

Keep well.

[piping in reply to Watfordgirl]

Thank you for taking the time to reply.fEV1 26% IS MY PROPBLEM.APPARRENTLY DON'T RELEASE as much co2 as should.Was wondering if this machine may help me?

[Watfordgirl in reply to piping]

Hello piping, I think the best thing is to ask your consultant, though you'd think they would suggest it if they thought it would help you. Maybe there are stages in between - you might benefit from one but not yet. Can't help there, I'm afraid.

Let us know how you get on, and take care.

[Greatbanks in reply to Watfordgirl]

Hi I was told prime candidate for. Sudden death syndrome  its scared me to death I have COPD  brochitus I wake up gasping not able breath in or out worse at night I'm exhausted all the time my dr said also I have COPD retention !! Think I'll ask about this mask is it hard get use to ? I have a neb machine and micro nebuliser  for when out ! Flutter to I'm struggling at moment  no relief !

I've also been told got something wrong with ECG I had I do a long heart beat them a shot one  I've been dizzy to very breathless can anyone help 

[Watfordgirl in reply to Greatbanks]

Hi Greatbanks - what thing to be told! Not surprised you were scared to death.

Really sorry but we have a domestic crisis. Promise I'll get back to you tomorrow. Again, sorry. x

[Watfordgirl in reply to Greatbanks]

Morning! Am hoping you had a better night?  It must be very frightening and it's understandably getting you down.

It does sound as though a CPAP or BiPAP machine might help.The best people to talk to are your consultant and the respiratory nurses. They can do tests to see what's the best way forward for you.

Both machines have the same sort of masks. They make sure you know how to use it and support you with managing it. It does take a bit of time. I don't sleep that well with mine but am more than happy to put up with it because I no longer feel really ill during the day. 

Good luck and best wishes.

[piping in reply to Watfordgirl]

thank you so much for your time and advice.

[y_not in reply to piping]

I was only curious because I use a CPAP (for Sleep apnoea) but I've read that it can help with COPD (which I also have!).

I purchased (privately) a CPAP and the consultant 'read the riot act' - you can't purchase these even over the Internet without a letter from the Dr/consultant because it can cause some serious issues.

 As Watfordgirl says - talk to your consultant.

Good luck & best wishes

[piping in reply to y_not]

y-not...thank you for your reply.

[piping in reply to Watfordgirl]

THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO INFORM ME.

[piping in reply to Watfordgirl]

Watefordgirl I have co2 retention and no one mentioned it to me.May not be suitable for me....will check with consultant.

[piping in reply to Watfordgirl]

asked my GP...he new the machine but said I would need to talk to my specialist.Once again thank you for the reply.Hope you are keeping as well as possible too.

[Eve3066]

I don't know why these machines aren't more common, I have had mine for years, recommended by the Brompton hospital. It makes such a difference to my life that I could not manage without it. 

[piping]

Eve am Fev1 26%,58yo...have a problem not exhaling co2.I live in Australia and no one has mentioned these machines.I have stage 4 emphasemia....

Cheers...Peter Piping