1st weekend with BiPAP
Question:
Bob > wrote in message <01be2e0f$10ab4700$5d1fa1d0@compaq>… >I’ve been using CPAP for 3 weeks now. This is all new for me. Sorry for the >basic question, but what is BIPAP? >I was told I’d feel like a new man but so far I’m struggling with getting >used to CPAP:(
Bob, hang in there. It can take several months to adjust. Like any new habit it takes time for it to become familiar and comfortable. Jo
Response:
Thanx for the feedback. I did loosen the mask and did all the adjusting laying down (advise here ) THAT has made a significant difference. My complaints are the same, however, the improvement and comfort are now a whole 50% better! I’ve never has sweating on my upper lip. But, I also have a full beard so maybe the mustache has helped me out. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I’ve used a Monarch mini-mask since my first day on CPAP two >years ago. I’m thinking that you may be tightening the straps too >tight if the tip of your nose is getting numb. Mine has never done >that. And I don’t get a sore line under my nose either. The main >discomfort I had and still don’t like having is sweating on my upper >lip that comes from the mask lying there all night. I’ve gotten >used to it now but at first it bugged me. >Jo
Response:
My ongoing saga … First weekend with BiPAP, after my Friday morning nose bleed I called the doc and he switched me from ASTELIN to FLONASE to help me keep my nose clear. I reminded him that both nose sprays even though advertised 12hr relief gave me only 5 hrs. He reminded me that X-rays showed I had broken my nose three times in the past and that I had a slight deviated septum. Also, he has three more "samples" to try for "free" . We’ll after the relatively good luck I had the previous nights Friday night was a nightmare. Nothing went well in the sleep department. The mask leaked all night, I couldn’t synch into the BiPAP rhythm and I tossed, turned and couldn’t sleep. Saturday and Sunday nights were back to OK. I slept 5 hrs straight and the woke up! Oddly though I think I am more rested than my normal average 7- 8 hrs without the BiPAP and Monarch. ————– This is for all Monarch mask users, the tip of my nose is a numb in the morning and I have a sore line on the underside of my nose between the nostrils. How are you handling this?
Response:
You wrote: > He reminded me that X-rays showed I had broken my > nose three times in the past and that I had a slight > deviated septum.
Since xPAP requires you to breathe through your nose and the forced pressure of the xPAP irritates the nasal passages – any problems with them increases problems with use. If you continue to experience enough problems with this, you might want to discuss surgery to repair this damage. If it is medically necessary to resolve sleep problems your insurance should pay for it – though you should always check in advance ! >Also, he has three more "samples" to try for "free".
Ah! Another consumer that knows TANSTAFL (There Ain’t No Such Thing As a Free Lunch). > We’ll after the relatively good luck I had the previous > nights Friday night was a nightmare. Nothing went > well in the sleep department. The mask leaked all > night, I couldn’t synch into the BiPAP rhythm and I > tossed, turned and couldn’t sleep.
Several thoughts: 1. Indicates you were not as desperate for sleep. 2. The mask may be too tight 3. Don’t expect a consistently perfect sleep. The fact that you could and did toss and turn, though not pleasant, indicates you were not all that desperate for sleep. This is good. So, don’t worry too much. That the mask leaked … I used the Monarch Mini-Mask for at least a year. It took a while to learn to not overly tighten the mask. It also had the habit of occassionally (once every two weeks ?) leaking during the night. Sometimes making certain my face and mask were clean of oils helped. Sometimes nothing mattered. (That’s why I’ve switched to nasal pillows with the custom headgear from Conjo Distributing … it fits better). Since you are trying to manage a sleep disorder, don’t always expect things to run smoothly. The best news is that you are being very consistent and positive in your approach. It will make a difference. > Saturday and Sunday nights were back to OK. I > slept 5 hrs straight and the woke up! Oddly though > I think I am more rested than my normal average > 7- 8 hrs without the BiPAP and Monarch.
Do the math. What was your sleep effiency during the sleep study. Let’s say you had 50% sleep efficiency. That amounts to 3.5 to 4 hours of sleep. If your OSA is moderate to severe your sleep efficiency was probably worse than 50%! Mine was about 33%. So, with xPAP I feel better with 5 hours of sleep than I would without xPAP and 12 hours of sleep. > — This is for all Monarch mask users, the tip of > my nose is a numb in the morning and I have a > sore line on the underside of my nose between > the nostrils. How are you handling this?
Again, this might indicate too much pressure. See if it will seal with less pessure. If not, this may take a while to adjust … I seem to reember the same thing during the first few days. Use a moisturizing skin cream during the day to reduce the irritation. But keep it clean at night. Hope that helps. Regards, =jbf= John B. Fisher
Response:
John B. Fisher wrote in message >Since xPAP requires you to breathe through your nose and the forced pressure >of the xPAP irritates the nasal passages – any problems with them increases >problems with use. If you continue to experience enough problems with this, >you might want to discuss surgery to repair this damage. If it is medically >necessary to resolve sleep problems your insurance should pay for it – >though you should always check in advance !
My doc wants me to be more "healthy" before I go to an ENT in January. He believes a septoplasty and a UPPP is inevitible in my case. My uvula and an area around it has been inflamed for at least 7 weeks now and is not responding to antibiotics. Also, I can feel the "crowding" in the back of my throat even when awake. >That the mask leaked … I used the Monarch Mini-Mask for at least a year. >It took a while to learn to not overly tighten the mask. It also had the >habit of occassionally (once every two weeks ?) leaking during the night. >Sometimes making certain my face and mask were clean of oils helped. >Sometimes nothing mattered. (That’s why I’ve switched to nasal pillows with >the custom headgear from Conjo Distributing … it fits better).
I really need to wear my glassess, so I’m taking all of your advice as well as others and I’m gonna make the Monarch work for me >Do the math. What was your sleep effiency during the sleep study. Let’s >say you had 50% sleep efficiency. That amounts to 3.5 to 4 hours of sleep. >If your OSA is moderate to severe your sleep efficiency was probably worse >than 50%! Mine was about 33%. So, with xPAP I feel better with 5 hours of >sleep than I would without xPAP and 12 hours of sleep.
I don’t know what my sleep efficiancy was. I do know my events were 14 – 30 an hour. The longest lasting 23 seconds. My oxygen factor was 76% (The doc said that was NOT good) Thanx for ALL the feedback and comments! Andy B.
Response:
You may also want to try adjusting the mask while you are lying down instead of sitting up. Others have suggested that one gets a better adjustment because the face changes shape when one lies down because gravity pulls it in a different direction. I switched from a mask to nasal pillows six years ago and have been much happier. I have never had problems with leaks since switching to the pillows. Kent Taylor
Response:
I just found out that same thing just last night! I want to stick with the Monarch cause it allows me to use/wear my glasses. Thanx for the feedback. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Mongo wrote in message <01be2d35$751cf060$7f95d…@purple-.stny.lrun.com>… >You may also want to try adjusting the mask while you are lying down >instead of sitting up. Others have suggested that one gets a better >adjustment because the face changes shape when one lies down because >gravity pulls it in a different direction. >I switched from a mask to nasal pillows six years ago and have been much >happier. I have never had problems with leaks since switching to the >pillows. >Kent Taylor
Response:
I’ve been using CPAP for 3 weeks now. This is all new for me. Sorry for the basic question, but what is BIPAP? I was told I’d feel like a new man but so far I’m struggling with getting used to CPAP:( Bob by…@mindspring.com wrote in article <75mspa$h9…@samsara0.mindspring.com>… > I just found out that same thing just last night! > I want to stick with the Monarch cause it allows me to use/wear my glasses. > Thanx for the feedback. > Mongo wrote in message
<01be2d35$751cf060$7f95d…@purple-.stny.lrun.com>… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> >You may also want to try adjusting the mask while you are lying down > >instead of sitting up. Others have suggested that one gets a better > >adjustment because the face changes shape when one lies down because > >gravity pulls it in a different direction. > >I switched from a mask to nasal pillows six years ago and have been much > >happier. I have never had problems with leaks since switching to the > >pillows. > >Kent Taylor
Response:
I went 5 weeks with a CPAP. I whimped out, I couldn’t handle it. BiPAP is a Bi (two or dual) level air pressure unit. Instead of being at a constant blowing pressure. It alternates between a high and a low level. It is not easy to get used to the BiPAPs rythem. However, in 8 days I have progressed further than in 5 weeks on the CPAP. Also, I changed from the standard mask to a Monarch. I am very grateful my Doc is willing to work with me. You say your "struggling", …….. I can only say with heartfelt honesty that I understand. Holiday Greetings to you and your Family – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bob > wrote in message <01be2e0f$10ab4700$5d1fa1d0@compaq>… >I’ve been using CPAP for 3 weeks now. This is all new for me. Sorry for the >basic question, but what is BIPAP? >I was told I’d feel like a new man but so far I’m struggling with getting >used to CPAP:( >Bob
Response:
Bob wrote: > I’ve been using CPAP for 3 weeks now. This is all new > for me. Sorry for the basic question, but what is BIPAP?
First of all, welcome to the newsgroup! And welcome to the company of other folks who only ‘dream’ of getting a good night sleep. Don’t hesitate to ask here. Everyone tries to be helpful and encouraging. People in the newsgroup realize managing a sleep disorder (of any type) is stressful enough. They won’t add any more. BiPAP stands for BiLevel Positive Airway Pressure, just as CPAP stands for Constant Positive Airway Pressure. Some people have a hard time breathing out (exhaling) against a constant pressure. In those individuals, it actually triggers the brain to stop breathing. Thus, for some people CPAP causes Central Sleep Apnea (CSA). To counter this, the BiLevel maching provides two different pressures. The higher pressure occurs when you breathe in (inhale). The lower pressure (decreasing the chance of CSA) occurs when you exhale. For instance, with CPAP – even at the correct pressure (and fairly low setting of 11cm H2O) – my sleep effeciency was at about 50%. (That is I slept only 50% of the time during the study). However, with BiPAP my sleep effeciency jumps toward 80%. > I was told I’d feel like a new man but so far I’m > struggling with getting used to CPAP 
Unfortunately, many sleep technicians and home health care providers pass along the ‘great’ experiences, but don’t help prepare you for the real world. Based on input in this newsgroup, I’ld say about one in five (if not one in ten) have an easy transition. When first diagnosed, I was SO sleep deprived that it was wonderful for the first week. But then reality set in … Stuffy nose - one of the most common complaints, is caused by the air under pressure passing over your nasal passages. Air under pressure looses moisture … your nasal membranes react (swell due to histamine as with allergies) to try to protect you from drier air. The easiest help for this is a humidifier. Most people suggest a heated humidifier, though I find a passover humidifier sufficient. Another poster suggests sparingly adding some eucolyptus (?) into the humidifer to help keep the nasal passages open. Under no circumstance should you use over the counter antihistamine sprays. They are addictive and after three days or so cause a rebound … (just going off the nasal spray will cause your nose to congest). Instead you can use a prescription nasal spray… or over the counter saline mist. It took me about 4 to 6 months to adjust. But unless it gets REALLY dry, I don’t have problems with stuffieness – at least of my nose! ;^) Mask irratation – Let’s face it having something rest against your face all night is not natural. This also takes time to adjust. There are many choices, which the health care companies very rarely present all of the options. So if this is an issue, come back to the newsgroup and ask. Mask leaks – Most often this is caused by tightening the mask too tight. Most masks rely on the air pressure within the mask to seal it to the face. This is much more comfortable. But all too often the health care provider does not adequately size the mask. Again, ask in the newsgroup. These seem to be the most common, but you’ll find other issues addressed in this newsgroup. The following pointers might help with your search for information: Kent Taylor’s FAQ and Pointers… ================================================================ —– A: General information about sleep and sleep disorders (A1) Web page with short summary of normal sleep and sleep disorders: http://www4.umdnj.edu/med/slepsymp.html (A2) Sleep Net collection of links with ratings (very useful): http://www.sleepnet.com/links.htm (A3) Info about a variety of sleep disorders, including descriptions, diagnoses, treatments, and related links. Still under construction but much information nonetheless. Note: this page points to additional pages – be sure to check them all. This is page one of eight. http://members.aol.com/THRVSleep/Diso.html (A4) SleepNet "Everything you wanted to know about sleep disorders but were too tired to ask"; contains discussion forums, info about disorders, sleep links, news, etc http://www.sleepnet.com/index.shtml (home page) http://www.sleepnet.com/wwwboard/wwwboard.html (discussion forums) (A5) American Sleep Disorders Association (ASDA) (oriented towards medical professionals) http://www.asda.org American Sleep Disorder Association list of accredited sleep centers and labs http://www.asda.org/centers.htm (A6) National Sleep Foundation (NSF): http://www.sleepfoundation.org ================================================================ —– B: Sleep apnea information (B1) American Sleep Apnea Association (ASAA): http://www.sleepapnea.org/ (B2) Phantom Sleep Resources (primarily sleep apnea, with self-test quiz and FAQ) http://www.newtechpub.com/phantom/ (B3) Conjo Distributing home page. This is a supplier’s web-site that has photos of CPAP equipment, many useful tips, equipment cleaning instructions, illustrations of obstructive sleep apnea, etc, and of course a catalog and price list. Although I have had no dealings with Conjo, I have seen many positive comments about the company and its owner on the alt.support.sleep-disorder newsgroup. Certainly the web pages are very informative. http://www.cpapman.com/ (B4) Tony Polson’s sleep apnea page (UK) http://www.scalby.freeserve.co.uk/osa.htm (B5) Paul Kemp’s wonderful photos of the popular Resmed/Sullivan Mirage mask (UK) http://www.kemp.demon.co.uk/mirage/ ================================================================ —– C: Narcolepsy information (C1) Narcolepsy Network: http://www.websciences.org/narnet (C2) Young Adults With Narcolepsy (YAWN) http://www.yawn.org/ (C3) Narcolepsy InterNet http://www.narcolepsy.org/ (C4) Narcolepsy InterNet Jumpstation (narcolepsy-related links from (C3)) http://www.narcolepsy.org/narc.links.html ================================================================ —– D: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) information (D1) Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, Inc.: http://www.rls.org (D2) Southern California RLS Support Group web site http://surf.to/rls ================================================================ —– E: Sleep paralysis (E1) Sleep paralysis and hallucinations http://watarts.uwaterloo.ca/~acheyne/S_P.html#tabcon ================================================================ —– Some newsgroups on the internet (A) Sleep disorders in general, but more about sleep apnea than others alt.support.sleep-disorder (B) Narcolepsy alt.support.narcolepsy (C) Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): seasonal (generally winter) depression alt.support.depression.seasonal soc.support.depression.seasonal
Response:
by…@mindspring.com wrote in message
<75lh8a$96…@camel21.mindspring.com>… > ————– This is for all Monarch mask users, the tip of my nose is >a numb in the morning and I have a sore line on the underside of my nose >between the nostrils. How are you handling this?
I’ve used a Monarch mini-mask since my first day on CPAP two years ago. I’m thinking that you may be tightening the straps too tight if the tip of your nose is getting numb. Mine has never done that. And I don’t get a sore line under my nose either. The main discomfort I had and still don’t like having is sweating on my upper lip that comes from the mask lying there all night. I’ve gotten used to it now but at first it bugged me. The comfort seal only comes in one size they tell me so you can’t get a larger hole, I’m afraid. Jo
