Whats next if you fail the CPAP machine?

[SMcCarrick]

Good morning everyone.

Just wondering what is next if the Respiratory Department decide that you have failed the CPAP machine?

I've been using the CPAP machine for over a year and my number of incidences has increased to an average of 16 per hour (from 12 a year ago). I wore an oximeter for a few nights last week and my oxygen sat levels were between 75-80% I've been informed by the Respiratory team in the hospital that they are bringing me in urgently to evaluate how to deal with me. A multidisciplinary team are to come up with an approach (I also have MDS and pretty awful blood readings- low haemoglobin, low platelets, low neutrophils etc). Just wondering what they're likely to come up with and what my options are? The situation is that I am getting less than 4 hours of sleep a night on the CPAP machine and regularly just give up between 3AM-4AM and go for tea and pain relief (I've also got Crohn's and liver cirrhosis). By the time I take pain relief- I normally just wait in the kitchen, reading the newspaper or listening to a Shortwave receiver through a headset, waiting for dawn to break- when I can get the kids up for school and the day underway.

Its not much of a life- but it would make a big difference to me if I managed to sleep properly- despite my other medical issues.

Grateful for people's thoughts on where I go from here- as it pertains to the sleep apnea- the other issues, I've accepted I just have to live with them.

Have a good Friday everyone- and of course, Happy Halloween.

Best wishes

Shane

 

[Alan]

Hey Shane, sorry you’re dealing with all of that, it sounds exhausting on every level. If CPAP isn’t working, the team usually looks at things like BiPAP, ASV, oxygen support, or sometimes non-machine options depending on what’s driving the events. Hopefully the multidisciplinary review gives you a clearer path forward and a way to get some real rest again. Late reply but I hope it still helps.