NIV and oxygen at home
My mum is 74 and 4 weeks ago was admitted to hospital with flu and then developed HAP hospital acquired pneumonia. She has been diagnosed with COPD for 10+ years. She has only ever had to have inhalers for it.
The hospital are now saying that when she is charged she will require oxygen and a NIV at home?
Does anyone have experience of this and what exactly does it mean for health wise is she just being sent home to be made comfortable until there is no more that can be done. I’m scared that this means she doesn’t have long left but am not really being given any information from the hospital.
Please any help and advice would be greatly appreciated
I have been using a ResMed VPAPAutoSet S 9 S non-invasive ventilador with oxygen since August 14, 2017, for My severe COPD / stage 3!!!! Still kicking — JAN 18, 2023 that’s great news glad your treatment is working for you. The doctor today told me she is in the final stage of Copd and there is no way of saying how long she will be ok for. sorry to hear 👂 this.
I maybe Stage 4 after my latest bout of COVID-19, because I now COUGH Up SPUTUM, that I always wanted.
I hear how scary and overwhelming this time is for you and your family. First let me say, that there are many in our community using supplemental oxygen and leading full, happy and long lives. Just because she is being placed on oxygen does not mean that there isn't more that can be done! While COPD is a progressive chronic condition and there is currently no cure, there are so many treatment options for slowing it's progression and helping those contend with it feel as best as they can. Here are a few articles we have on supplemental oxygen: https://copd.net/clinical/supplemental-oxygen-helpful, https://copd.net/clinical/home-niv, https://copd.net/clinical/home-oxygen-benefits. I'm also confident other members of our community will chime in but I would also suggest seeing if the hospital is going to refer you to a pulmonologist so your mom can continue to be monitored and have a doctor to discuss treatment options with once she is discharged. All the best, Sam S. (COPD.net, team member). , while hearing final stage is definitely scary, there is no time table for it! Here is an article that might help: https://copd.net/living/understanding-end-stage. We are here to offer you any support we can during this time! 
Hi Skye, and welcome to our community. I see you are a new member here, having joined yesterday. We are glad to see you are already engaging with the community through you first posts here.
I am just getting to this conversation now. I have read the excellent replies of my colleague,, and agree with what she's said.
I also have something to contribute. Besides the oxygen therapy (which should help Mom to be more comfortable, breathing-wise), and the inhalers (which you've said she is using), you also mentioned an NIV device. NIV is an acronym for "non-invasive ventilation" and many patients with COPD have done very well using this type of adjunct therapy. Some use the NIV at night (which can help them to sleep and breathe), while still others may use it during the day (to assist with breathing and comfort).
I am hopeful the physicians will explain all this to you so you can have a better understanding of how Mom is being treated at home.
Naturally, we are here to offer further assistance and support in any way that we can. Please know, you are always welcome here in our community.
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)
Hi, Skye. I just wanted to check in and see how you and mom are doing. Is she still in the hospital, or did she get to go home? It's always scary when someone goes through a flare-up of their COPD. While her care team says she's in the final stages, I want to stress to you that it doesn't necessarily mean she is near the end. COPD stages are based on their lung function, and a person can live for a long time with even a shockingly low percentage of normal function. We have people here who have been end stage for years and are active members of the community. Try to take one day at a time. <3 Keep us posted, we are here to support you both. Hugs! -Melissa, copd.net team Hi again, Skye, and thanks so much for bringing us up-to-date and your Mom's progress. Sometimes, being home can help a person to improve somewhat. It can be better for some folks to be in their home environment. Their mentation is improved by being in familiar surroundings/environment with family they love.
There are also times during a patient's illness, that their condition varies throughout the day. Perhaps at one time, the medical staff felt that Mom needed non-invasive ventilation (NIV), therapy. However, when it came time to evaluate her for discharge, she may no longer have needed that therapy but only needed supplemental oxygen instead. Her being more comfortable at home using the oxygen may be evidence of that.
It's understandable that, with all the information provided to you (the family), and no one to help you to sort through it, some anxiety may be expected. I am sorry you are facing all this but, I am glad that you have Mom home now.
My suggestion would be to keep in close touch with Mom's medical team. Naturally, all the love and support you can give to Mom will help her too, beyond measure.
If we can assist you in any way, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. You are always welcome here!
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)Goodness, that all sounds so overwhelming. It can be maddening when you are getting different information from different doctors -- who do you believe, right? Well, I am very glad to hear she is back in the comfort of home and doing well with the oxygen (and no NIV, yay!). I am not an expert, but you may find it takes a good while for her to recover her strength. I hope you are taking good care of yourself, too. Never be afraid to step away if you need to rest, eat, or just have a quiet moment alone. I will wait to hear how it goes with the respiratory team in February. Wishing you and mom a peaceful weekend! -Melissa, copd.net team
