Having trouble with CPAP

[Pamster]

I feel terrible these days, haven't been using it for a month now and it's making me feel like I can't breathe when I have tried. I got sick about a month ago and went on antibiotics to help clear it up since it pushed stuff up into my ears. And since then I just can't seem to get back in the routine of using the darn thing. :( What can I do? I am going to try again tonight, but last night it was like I had an anxiety attack and felt like I couldn't breathe. I wish I was able to use it like when I first got it. :(

[Pamster]

Well I am not as tired as I would have been had I not used the CPAP. I used it for over six hours and feel a lot better then I did two days ago before I started trying to use it again. Kiddo got up at 3AM, we've got a Dr Appt to go to a couple hours away and he's always excited about going to see this doctor so he sometimes gets up this early. It was easier to wear it last night so maybe I can slowly regain my ability to use the machine, just wondering if this happened to any of you, got sick, couldn't use it because of illness and then had trouble getting back into the routine when you were well again. It stinks, but I think it's going to be better soon. :)

[Pamster]

Thank heavens its been easier on me using it. I still find I am taking it off around 4 am when I get up to go to the bathroom but it's helping me feel better. :)

[JAVISI]

Pam,
I have been having problems with my C-PAP too. I have been having trouble with pneumonia and since then I feel like it is too much pressure and I can not breathe! I called my pumonologist and they set it to a tapering pressure and found that that the pressure needed to be lowered! It did help me but I am having another bout of pneumonia and the pressure is too much and it makes me cough and now is when I could use it the most!

Make a call to your pulmonologist, they may need to decrease the pressure? Just a suggestion! Good Luck! Javisi:)

[Pamster]

Mines only set to like .08 so it's not too much pressure I don't think, though it was just feeling that way because of the ear infection I had. It's better now though, I've been back to using it now for four days and think it's helping again. :)

I hope you get over this pneumonia soon Javisi, it's terrible you're sick again. Hang in there and get well soon! :D

[Piggles]

Hope you both are feeling better. I've not had my APAP that long and so far not had any infections, so can't really help. Just to say that your consultant should advise on your settings. I went for an automatic machine as the NHS wouldn't fund any sort of machine for me. As I couldn't get any followup consultations (got a dx, then, tough, you need a machine badly but we don't have the funds to cover it, therefore no funds to followup) I thought an automatic machine would help (and it does). £740 ish is a bit much in one go to find but my husband thinks it's money well spent.

Off to bed and my trusty "noo-noo" (if ever you've seen the Teletubbies you would know what I mean - the vacuum cleaner is called Noo-Noo). As i pointed out to my daughters the other day it should be ooN-ooN as it blows and not sucks!
Take care and hope tomorrow is better than today!
Love Judi xx

[Pamster]

I'm sorry your insurance can't cover it for you, it's such a necessity to have good sleep, and restorative sleep is the reason we need a machine at all, to help us BREATHE something many people can take for granted, but many of us can't. I hope that you don't get sick and run into what I did Judi, it's no fun being sick, but with fall coming I am sure another illness is looming in the future, but I will just have to see what i can do about the settings, that might work. :)

[Piggles]

Hi Pam
We don't have insurance here in the UK: the state funds the National Health Service. Heath Authorities (regional areas) have strict budgets and CPAP is treated as a "luxury". I was told even if I had very severe (over 100/hr) score (mine was over 30/hr and 70% saturates) I still couldn't have a machine. Even if I could have had a machine it would be CPAP and not APAP. As I was going to "self-regulate" I went for an APAP as it does all the adjustments for me.

Yes, the season is changing here, too. We had a cool misty start then the sun came out. The trees are just starting to turn colour. Robert and I had the day off work and we lazed and went to pick some plums. Just the job after a hectic few weeks moving in to our new house (200 miles from our old one!). I hope we don't come down with any bugs as I am on steroids still and don't need the hassle. The girls have started a new school so I'm sure they will bring home some new viruses!
Have a great weekend: just think of me (well Robert actually) painting our bedroom (in the heat!).
Take care
Love Judi xx

[Pamster]

That has to be really discouraging to not be able to get a machine paid for. If I had to cough up 700 bucks for one of these I wouldn't be able to get one. I hope you have a great weekend and don't work too hard on the painting. ;) :D

[Piggles]

I wish is was 700 dollars. I had to pay 700 pounds (1400 dollars!!!!!!)

Now that I have moved to a different area of the country, I'll see whether my new GP has any news on funding. Even if it is only a new mask in the spring, I'd be happy.

Hope you are having a good weekend.
Love Judi xx

[Headspin]

My CMO rents mine for me. If I have trouble breathing with mine, I will take a few breaths and purposefully snore. This will alert the machine to either cut back, or add more pressure to the mask accordingly. I'm not sure what type of machine you have, but mine adjusts itself automatically as I sleep. If I feel I need more air, I will stop breathing for short periods of time, and the pressure will adjust. Right now, I have a cold, so I have to use a cold medicine at night to keep my sinuses clear for the machine. Otherwise, I stop breathing.

[Stetson]

Colds always posed problems for me until I got a full face mask.That allows me to breath out of my mouth now so I am all set.

[Pamster]

Mom gave me her old full face mask and I now have one to use in times of stopped up sinuses. I am so happy to have it! :D