Using a BiPap Machine

By Barbara Moore

2 min read

I had an opportunity to speak one-on-one with a respiratory therapist. Not my RT but someone who I have never spoken to, and she didn’t know me.

I was confused about my sleep patterns while using a BiPap machine. I don’t really have a problem using the machine itself. In fact, I love the way it always helps me. When I need to stop to catch my breath, my BiPap quickly aids my breathing and allows for better control of my heart rate.

Issues with my BiPap machine mask

Rather, my main problem is with the mask, and It is so tight that it leaves sores on my face.

My pressures are high; at least, that is what I was always told, and they must stay that way. I don’t intimately know what the BiPap does, but even if I wanted to, I can’t ever change the settings.

They can only be changed remotely by the doctor. This machine was designed that way, and the doctor can scan my reports to gather any evidence-based information that is necessary.

Using BiPap without a sleep study

Normally a sleep study would be the first step to being prescribed the use of a BiPap, but I’ve never had a sleep study. Doctors did several tests when I had my first sudden cardiac arrest (SCA).

At the time, the use of the machine was decided based on the results of an arterial blood gas (ABG). Everyone has probably had one or two ABGs in the past. It can be a painful test based on the experience of the person who is doing the blood draw and a million other factors.

The evidence dictated that I use a BiPap on a regular basis. The pressures were set based on the information they had.

My blood was filled with carbon dioxide because of poor lung function. Due to my cardiac events, no clinic has invited me to stay overnight for a sleep study.

Using my BiPap machine

Once I started using my BiPap, I loved it. Anytime I was feeling short of breath, or I needed a rest, in fact, anytime I go to my bedroom, the first thing I do is put my BiPap on.

When I first got it, the doctor said that I should always use it because this was saving my life. For over seven years, I have used it, and now I am told that a 1-afternoon nap could ruin it all and cause my carbon dioxide levels to increase in a matter of hours.

Living with hypercapnia

There is a name for this extreme increase in carbon dioxide. Hypercapnia happens to a lot of us that suffer from severe COPD.

There are many different symptoms, but for me, it was daytime sluggishness, headaches that were indescribable, and hands and feet tremors. One day I was so full of carbon dioxide that I could not get another breath in.

There was no more room in my lungs and no more oxygen for my heart. As my symptoms increased, I developed a high tolerance for the side effects. Not many could live through it and survive it.

Editor’s Note: We are extremely saddened to say that on January 7th, 2024, Barbara Moore passed away. Barbara’s advocacy efforts and writing continue to reach many. She will be deeply missed.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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kloker Member
Barbara - Interesting news. I am using an NIV machine, which I was told is an advanced version of Bi-Pap. I do have a few tips. First, the mask. My first one was also too small/tight. I immediately told the RT, and he quickly brought two more sizes, medium and large. The medium was perfect! The differences in appearance are small, but the feel is way better. So - Tell your RT to bring a larger mask, not buts. If he says no, fire him on the spot, call the doctor's office, and require that they correct the issue or else. Do NOT let them run over you. Their whole job is to serve you, it's not the other way around. No excuses either. Either the current RT solves the issue, or the new one does. Sounds callous, but some of these knuckleheads are too big for their britches. You are #1 in the chain of command. The doctor is #2, and the RT #3. Make them fix it, or fire them and get new ones, and file complaints! Okay, rant over. I've had a few struggles with mine, but after I reported him to my doctor, his tune suddenly changed for the better, and we work together well now. My mask fits good and is comfy, and my settings have been adjusted already a couple of times. They still need more tweaking, and they are ready when I am. I just have to figure out how to put the change I need into words, which is really hard. I still can't use it all the time, but I do use it as much as possible. It dries me out after a while, then I wake up coughing and unable to stop, and have to take it off. It's annoying, because my bladder wakes me up enough without having another cause. It's hard to get enough sleep one hour at a time. Anyways, I am interested in hearing what you and others think and have to say about all this. It's a great and very expensive piece of equipment, but very difficult to get adjusted right. Heck, right now I've been feeling bad for two days and I think it's at least partly because of the damn C02. Aargh. Aches, joint and muscle pain and fatigue, a fever, and severe body aches. Plus short breathing and cramps. All I want to do is sleep, but I can't sleep long enough to make a dent. My everything hurts! Even my hair is whiny!
kloker Member
Barbara - Hey, I forgot a very important detail, duh! I did my sleep study at home, with no supervision. It was all done by email and electronics. It took 3 nights. Then I filled out the final paperwork and sent the whole package back, and they paid all the costs. A couple of weeks later I got my Answer back, followed by the NIV machine. The RT set it all up, start to finish. I can get you the name of the outfit. I'll have to look back in my records. They are nationwide as far as I know.
1. kloker Member
 <inline-mention username="Melissa.Arnold" user-id="4698523"/> and Barbara - Hi! I did this a year ago now. As it turns out, the at-home testing was not provided by the RT, but my doctor's office, so I will have to wait for their next visit to get the information, but when I do I will pass it on here. Anyway, I was good with doing it at home, as, first of all, I am homebound, so I was not able to go elsewhere for it. Second, no, those sticky pads are not fun for those of us with hair on our chests! The test consisted of using it for 3 whole nights out of a given week-long period, at my choice, and documenting everything in a booklet. The package came by Fedex, and included everything for return shipping in the same box. It was relatively simple, just had to follow specific directions exactly. A couple of weeks later the results came back and I was easily (over)qualified! A couple of weeks later the RT showed up with the machine. Typically of Medicare, the machine was used, and we never could get the modem to work. And replacement modems are not available, so when he comes to visit he has to record data on a USB drive. Anyway, it has taken just about exactly a year to get the thing working right, with the right settings, and until then I used it infrequently. But finally now this last adjustment has been a big improvement and I am using it every night all night now. The difference is huge! It's a bit hard to describe, but I am breathing better, which helps everything else. My lungs feel clearer, I can breathe deeper, my energy level is climbing (I think it has doubled in a month!), and I am able to do more every day. I wake up less to go to the bathroom (prostate and bladder issues) and so sleep periods are more continuous. I think I still need more time to improve, but I believe it will make a bigger difference going forward. I was discouraged for a long time, after it took so long to get the thing set up to work better for me, and I was very skeptical of all the big promises the RT made, but he was right - he says in a few months my quality of daily life should be far improved, and I am starting to believe it! Best news I've had in a while. Last year was a real struggle, but things are looking up now. Also, as it turns out, this machine is getting old, though it still currently works well, but not too far down the road I will get a new machine, says the RT. Meanwhile, things are looking up!
2. Melissa.Arnold Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="kloker" user-id="4235094"/> This is so good to hear!!! My hubby has sleep apnea, too -- I sent him packing to a sleep doctor when I got tired of kicking him to restart his breathing. True story. He does well with CPAP and I don't have to sleep with one eye open anymore. But the increased energy and sense of wellbeing is a huge deal. Added to the other efforts you've been making lately, I'm sure it's a big boost for your morale. Thanks for sharing. 😀 -Melissa, <a href='http://copd.net' target='_blank'>copd.net</a> team

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