A Bipap can really help people like me! My CO2 becomes elavated when I sleep and I can actually stop breathing. Here's what it looks like:

It was very difficult for me to get use to sleeping with the mask on. I actually tried what is called nose pillows which is a different form of mask to use with this bipap. However, it was just too much direct air being forced in through my poor nose. My sinuses couldn't take it. So, I switched to the mask which fits over my whole nose. I use two straps that loops behind my head and fasten on both sides (top and bottom, left and right sides) of the mask to hold it on. It has to have an air tight fit. No leaks or the pressures will be off.

I use one of the older versions of masks. They are getting harder to find. I don't like the silicon gel kind which surprises the techs when they ask if I want to switch masks. Also, the gel masks are quite pricey!

After getting use to sleeping with the mask, the hose, the canula, making sure the ventilation hole wasn't blocked by covers or the vent air wasn't blowing on my husband, and keeping my mouth shut all night, I felt pretty darn good when I woke in the morning! No morning headaches. No running to the bathroom to dry heave.

The biggest emotional problem I had was for the first week or so, my husband had a hard time seeing me with the bipap mask on. I can understand why. It's hard to see someone you love take another step down a slippery slope. Plus, it's kinda ugly!! But, he got use to it and now it's no big deal!

I understand its not the same but I have the Cpap machine, my husband calls it the elephant mask..lol...He was not comfortable with it at first either, but eventually he did... You have a great day..

Wow. Elephant mask is clever! Was it difficult for you to get use to a CPap? I've tried it. I just felt so claustrophobic when I used it. The doctor switched me to a bipap during the sleep study and I did so much better with it.

This cpap machine that you are describing is sooooo much smaller and lighter than the machine I use to help me breath at night. What I am using is a 40 lb ventilator(LP10), similar to what one sees in emergency rooms. The processes of these two machines seems similar . . to create a positive pressure to fill up ones lungs with air during sleep to aid transfer of oxygen in, during inhalation, and blood gases out, during exhalation. I use the nasal pillows and a head mask. I havent ever seen the apparatus that you are describing. Be grateful for the light weight and transportability of your night breathing support! I am jealous

Hey! I just found your site, and I think that it is wonderfull! I think that the steps that you take to lead a normal life is AMAZING!!!! I am a paramedic, and I have seen several people that had only HALF the medical problems that you do, and all they do is lay around at their house and wait for the worst to happen. I hope that you continue to live life the best that you can, and to get the most out of it. I also have to say this, Your husband must be a very good natured, very strong willed man to help you the way he is. My hats off to him. Again, I have seen the opposite in my line of work, and it only hurts them. Please keep up the great job of taking care of yourself, and I look forward to reading more about your journeys. Thanks:)

I have been using a CPAP machine for four years and it has literally saved my life. My husband thinks it's funny and says I am a pilot. Then, he needed one and did not think it was so funny...It has not taken much getting used to for me. I really thought that it would be life altering, but it has been a piece of cake. ;)

I also have a CPAP, and I think that it is the best thing since sliced bread! My wife has started to use one, and we are quite a pair to see! Our kids even get scared of us now and then!

I can no longer sleep without my BiPap. It was a real struggle to get used to the pressure of the air. The thing is so ugly. I think a person has to have a good sense of humor to be able to wear one of these things. Sure I look like an astronaut or a jet pilot breaking the sound barrier. I even know I must sound like Darth Vader breathing through this thing but if it's keeping me alive, I can live with all that! Right?

My sister was just released from the hospital, and told that her phernic nerve is damaged and sent home a few days later, with the Dr.'s telling her that she needs to be on oxygen 24/7, due to a thoracic outlet syndrom surgery that she had, how the damage was done.

She is only 47 years old, and needless to say she is in shock, and her husband in denial of what is going on, and there may be a chance that she will need to be on it in definantly. She has a Dr.'s appt Thursday to see a lung specialist.

My question is how can I support her. She is very depressed right now. Will not leave her house, thinking that everyone is staring at her. She is on 5 liters of oxygen, and I don't understand any of this. Both her and her husband right now, are not doing any research on this, she doesn't even wat to read the manuals about the oxygen, or how to read the machine. Basically this company came out, installed the generator, oxygen machine, a couple of canisters, and said we'll be back next week. After leaving the hospital she was told to keep the oxygen on 24/7. I'm trying to get her to research this, ask questions and so on. We did get one of those instraments that you measure your lung and heart rate. while on oxygen she is at 98, when she takes it off just for a few minutes it drops to 87.
I just need to know what I can do to help her both emotioanlly and medically. i have lots of questions about living on oxygen for the rest of her life. i just want to reasure her that her life is not over.

Any suggestions will help, as this is all new to me. What and how can I help her.

Thanks, a concerned sister

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