CPAP treatment

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

Well, got back from the doctor today and the results of my overnight sleep study means that CPCP treatment is recommended. From the study, I found out that first of all, without the treatment my night time oxygen saturation is about 87% and I haven’t actually gotten any REM sleep without the treatment.

However, the treatment changes things quite a bit. My blood oxygen levels stay at 91% and I do achieve REM sleep. No wonder I felt so refreshed the day after the sleep study. It was probably the first night where I’d actually had any real sleep at all!

Though it’s a new thing to get used to, I know that it will help with a lot of things and after what most of us have been through in our lives, what’s one more little change?

The other thing noticed was that I probably won’t need oxygen at night except during any future COPD exacerbations. Time will tell!

Just thought I’d share the latest in my life.

ONWARD TO FREEDOM!!!

Chuck

[JonesCarpeDiem]

         A specialist delivered my machine and a mask. I had a cold at the time. You can't breathe through your nose when you have a cold but, he insisted on a particular mask???  consequently, I didn't use the machine for a year when I explained the situation to his company a year later, he brought me a full face mask.

         My theory is, that if you snore, you are breathing through your mouth so I opted for a full face mask.

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

For some reason for me, the full mask seemed the most comfortable. They called me and told me a week to week and a half before the equipment is ready, and then I'm supposed to set an appointment to learn how to use the machine and place the mask. Learning new things is good in this situation!

[Chuck-2-20-2011]

I use an oxygen concentrator at night myself, and also when needed due to COPD complications which thankfully isn't very often right now. They told me they didn't need to add oxygen the night of my sleep test, but I'll monitor that when I get the equipment. And I know well of about the alarm on those things from experience

[Giulia]

Thanks for sharing this and all the attendant comments.  Very important information.  

[TerrieQuit]

Thanks, Chuck! chuck-2-20-2011   I love that you are here and sharing!

[TerrieQuit]

I want to add that anyone with breathing problems will want to be very careful when taking pain medications (opiates) as some can cause respiratory distress. 

I was taken to ER with 87% blood ox and I developed a headache while there and they gave me a shot of pain medication for a headache (not headache meds. she said: you'll really like this and then they sent me home high as a kite and I am a recovering addict). My caseworker came back to check on her way home from work because I wasn't answering the phone. She took me back, blood ox was 55%, they admitted and vented me and I don't remember anything for the 6 days after. The weird thing is I was awake! I have never got that memory back and it caused some damage to my brain as well from lack of oxygen. I have been labeled and unable to get work since, because I cannot get a Dr. to release me for work.  ~Terrie!

p.s. I love this https://excommunity.becomeanex.org/groups/copd/blog group!

[AbasKid]

I sleep with mine all the time! My cardiologist insisted I get the sleep study done about 8 or 9 years ago because of the strain sleep apnea puts on my heart. My partner (who does have stage 4 emphysema) does not like to use his, nor will he sleep with O2 on. He felt using the CPAP made his breathing more difficult during the day. I can kind of relate, because having been trained a singer, and having played woodwind instruments since I was 7, I do know how to breathe---and I have gotten lazy.

Pleasant dreams!