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bi-pap?
- Thread starter AmyKins
- Start date
Hi Amy,
The only people I know who are using bipap don't have CF at all - just real bad sleep apnea. So I'm no help to you I guess. Did you have a sleep study before they prescribed it for you? Are you on O2 during the day?
Cause I'm thinking that if you are not using O2 during the day and had a sleep study that maybe your need for O2 is as much related to sleep apnea as to CF.
Unfortunately CF does not immunize one against other conditions. (tho' it darn well should. 1 thing is quite enough!)
take care,
LisaV
The only people I know who are using bipap don't have CF at all - just real bad sleep apnea. So I'm no help to you I guess. Did you have a sleep study before they prescribed it for you? Are you on O2 during the day?
Cause I'm thinking that if you are not using O2 during the day and had a sleep study that maybe your need for O2 is as much related to sleep apnea as to CF.
Unfortunately CF does not immunize one against other conditions. (tho' it darn well should. 1 thing is quite enough!)
take care,
LisaV
Hi Amy. BiPAP is used for a variety of conditions but with one thing in common, it helps reduce the amount of CO2 in your body. Some sleep apnea people require it, especially if they have underlying conditions like emphysema or a type of sleep apnea that retains CO2 (central sleep apnea) and do well with it. A great majority of sleep apnea folks go on CPAP instead of BiPAP because they do not retain CO2, they just can't keep their airways open. CPAP is just one pressure, as I have said in another post, it is like sticking your head out of the window with your mouth open.) You don't have to be at death's door to be put on it, it just helps with ventilation, or the exchange of gases. People should suspect CO2 buildup in their bodies if they are waking up with headaches or are sleepier than usual during the day. Blood gases would tell the doc if you are indeed retaining too much CO2.
I myself was on it, but for very different reasons than CF....actually I was on it prior to my CF diagnosis. I have muscular dystrophy as well that affected my diaphragm, which in turn impaired my ability to dispose of the CO2, so BiPAP was started first at night but as my condition deteriorated, usage during the day became necessary as well. I ultimately was vented, but that was my choice..I still live on a vent and will continue to do so until I leave this earth as my diaphragm does not work on its own.
BiPAP also has its uses in the ICU, to keep someone from being intubated, especially if it is against their wishes to be placed on a vent. Sometimes it buys enough time to keep the patient off of the vent, enough time to turn them around somewhat. I used to work in the ICU and we often tried BiPAP on patients that we thought might turn around without the vent. Of course we intubated if the person was really having severe problems.
So you see, BiPAP is used for so many disorders and situations. It doesn't mean that you are at the end, just means that you need a little help with your CO2
Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
I myself was on it, but for very different reasons than CF....actually I was on it prior to my CF diagnosis. I have muscular dystrophy as well that affected my diaphragm, which in turn impaired my ability to dispose of the CO2, so BiPAP was started first at night but as my condition deteriorated, usage during the day became necessary as well. I ultimately was vented, but that was my choice..I still live on a vent and will continue to do so until I leave this earth as my diaphragm does not work on its own.
BiPAP also has its uses in the ICU, to keep someone from being intubated, especially if it is against their wishes to be placed on a vent. Sometimes it buys enough time to keep the patient off of the vent, enough time to turn them around somewhat. I used to work in the ICU and we often tried BiPAP on patients that we thought might turn around without the vent. Of course we intubated if the person was really having severe problems.
So you see, BiPAP is used for so many disorders and situations. It doesn't mean that you are at the end, just means that you need a little help with your CO2
Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
Thanks for the info - I have had many sleep studies done- & they found my CO2 is high a lot- (you can not mistake a CO2 headache- so I have one done & a blood gas when I start getting those headaches). So, if I sleep with it on I let off the CO2. I have also been on it in the ICU before too and the being put on the bi-pap turned me around real fast. So, its a good thing I use it I just get nervous because I don't hear of many people using one.