Using the Bi-Pap Machine

Status
Not open for further replies.
Yes , I only use Bipap for sleeping and naps as I also have sleep apnea .

Glen
 
Thanks for the response everyone! mom is going in for PEG tube next week....
 
To get the thread back on topic

Beth,
How did the mask work last night ?

Glen
 
I don't mean to but in on your thread Beth,but I talked to my pharmisist yesterday and she suggested I take a lorazepan 0.5 and 1 regular asprin before bed. I slept for 3.5 hrs with the mask, slept 2hrs without woke up and put the mask back on for 2 more hours.It is the aches and pains that are waking me up not the bipap. Maybe your Mom could try a low does relaxant.
 
Thanks for asking, Glen.

I THOUGHT it was working great. I took it off at some point, but was awake enough to put it back on. Then when I woke up this morning, it was on the floor again. Don't remember taking it off the second time.

There was no air leakage, but it was very painful across my cheekbones, and I have big red welts down my cheeks. I think I've tried every model out there, and this seems to be a good fit, except for cheeks, so somehow I've got to make this one work. (And the total face mask, too, by far the most comfortable of them, if I can fix the leaks.)

There is nothing about this stinkin' disease that comes easy! (except the PEG) :lol:
 
My Dad has a truly terrible sore on the bridge of his nose. We have tried everything. Now it just won't heal and it is very unsightly. My poor Dad! We've tried putting the band-aids on is a cross formation like Beth suggested. The problem is that it just does not have time to heal during the day. I will suggest a full face mask. I don't think my Dad is claustrophobic so hopefully he'll go for it.

Today he got his wheelchair. It was hard to see. I was hoping this day wouldn't come for a while but sadly my Dad's ALS has progressed. He's still taking it like a champ though. Not one word of complaint and still the smiley sweet Dad that we all love. I admire him so much!
 
Does anyone use the nose pillows? I saw a pic of a new nose pillow "mask" and it looked really comfortable. Don't know how I would keep my mouth closed with that either.

Beth - with the full face mask does your mouth dry out?
 
Sharonca ... no, in fact just the opposite. My mouth gets dry from the mouth breathing (and the Scop patch) and my lips are dry and cracked afternoon and evening, but because of the BiPap humidifier, I wake up with a comfortable mouth and my lips are soft and "normal" for several hours. It is a lovely little side effect.
 
orcal mask -

hi the orcal mask only covers the mouth works wonderful for me air goes directly to lungs as i am a mouth breather , i do use the strap to hold mask as you dont need to but i do not like anything in my mouth if you can stand it you do not need any head gear you can also go to youtube type in orcal mask and see how it works without mask good luck I adapted much more easily than I expected ... I had planned to really resist using it, but found to my amazement that I could sleep just fine with it.

HOWEVER, I am still struggling 7 months later to get a good fit on a mask. The RT who delivered it said "there is always some leakage of air with full-face masks," so I accept that, but think the fit should be better than what I have.

I do feel better in the day when I use it all night long, but haven't had the big pay-off some people experience in extra energy, etc.

My big problem is the sore on the bridge of the nose, where the gel ends. I ordered a "total face" mask that fits across the forehead, down the cheeks and under the lips, and it is wonderful ... such an improvement! ... but I can't get a good seal on it, either. I think this mask would be hard for people with claustrophobia, but it works for me, and lets me read while wearing it.

My second big problem is when I wake up during the night to go to the bathroom or because the mask has shifted, and I'm too sleepy to fuss with getting it back on, so I don't get the full-night effect.

To sum up, I can sleep OK with or without it, but feel better during the day if I've worn it all night. I think it's worth the struggle to adapt.[/QUOTE]
 
oh now this works better ( quick post) if anyone would like to know thier is a mask called orcal i use it because i couldnt stand the full mask it can come with one strap some people like it with no headgear but i can not stand anything in my mouth, another thing is the air goes directley to your lungs works much better , i am also a mouth breather so if you are not you may have to wear a nose plugs little white things till you get use to breathing by your mouth .
you can go to youtube type in orcal mask and see how it works you may then see why i use the strap but no will get my orcal mask away from me it works really good much better than a full mask or the little tube for the nose good luck all hope i helped a little
 
Has anyone tried a "Mirage Quattro Full Face CPAP Mask with Headgear" ?

Its works great with bipap also.

I have zero leakage with it . The quick disconnect clips on the sides helps for easy removal and re-apply.

Glen
 
Mirage Quattro Full Face

Glen I think that is the mask my Dad has. It was working great and then it got a tear in the seel. It was replaced with the identical mask but now they have to put a gauze/cotton strip above his eye to get the good fit. I guess if you need a tight seel even a slight manufacturer variance is noticeable. I am hoping that he can break it in - or can that even happen?
 
I don' t know why, but Rick has never had any trouble with his Cpap and now his Bipap. He's had a machine two years now....no sores, no leaks, no replacement parts. The pulmonary specialist says they are very compatible with each other from the first night! Good something is going well. He wouldn't dare even take a nap without it... he breathes so shallow or not at all without it.
 
Mirage Quattro Full Face

Glen I think that is the mask my Dad has. It was working great and then it got a tear in the seel. It was replaced with the identical mask but now they have to put a gauze/cotton strip above his eye to get the good fit. I guess if you need a tight seel even a slight manufacturer variance is noticeable. I am hoping that he can break it in - or can that even happen?

There should be a twist knob in the center (between the eyes and just a bit above) that will allow you to adjust how far the top is away from your nose , cheeks etc.

When I went to get my BiPap , I took my cpap mask with me. The therapist had not seen a mask like mine. From what I saw , it seems that the defaults for BiPap orders are a couple of upgrades behind.

The new seals are so soft , there is no breakin . I actually like when they were a little tougher.

Glen
 
There should be a twist knob in the center (between the eyes and just a bit above) that will allow you to adjust how far the top is away from your nose , cheeks etc.


Just checked with Dad and he said the mask is fitting better now with no gauze - he said he worked with some adjustments and then the straps and it is better "centered" now - likely what you just said. He is going for an eval for cough assist next Monday and was told to bring his bipap mask with him as he may be able to use it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top