From Vent to Diaphragmatic Pacing System (DPS)...

[BillMiller823]

I was asked to chronicle my efforts to hopefully go from fulltime ventilator user to successful DPS user (success can be defined multiple ways) for the International Ventilator User's Network (IVUN) in a series of articles / blog entries.

My first blog entry regarding why I'm seeking the DPS is here:

http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot...gic-seeks.html

That's the full version above. A nicely edited version is in IVUN's April newsletter, which I'm hosting a PDF version of that you can download from my website here:

http://www.lookmomnohands.net/object...0-24-2Nsec.pdf

If you want even more info regarding the DPS, especially why I wasn't initially interested in it, and how I became interested, here's an older CareCure thread (I'm starting this new thread because the older thread has an outdated title, and my blog entry has kind of a condensed summary of the older thread's key points):

http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/showthread.php?t=114614

- Bill :-)

[swh2007]

I'm a pretty functional c 3/4 incomplete but recently found out that my left diaphram is paralyzed so I don't get enough O2 when I am sleeping. I still have to go thru more testing but I seem destined to have be be hooked up to some kind of simple machine at night. My doctor threw out the possibility of the diaphram pacemaker as an alternative if the machine bothers me, so I will be interested in following this and seeing how use of the pacemaker progresses. Thanks for your posts because I have learned a lot about it already from you.

[BillMiller823]

Hi swh2007,

If none of the non-surgical, non-invasive options work for you, then the DPS might be a good solution. I see you're from Florida, and several places in Florida do the DPS surgery.

On a side note, one of my nurses has asthma & sleep apnea, and has learned to sleep with a face mask hooked up to a CPAP machine (I think it's a CPAP, though I'm not exactly sure what that is). The key, according to her, was getting a comfortable mask. I think there are sales reps that custom fit masks to ensure comfort, but I could be wrong about that. I'll ask her if you want me to.

Best of luck and God bless!

[swh2007]

Originally Posted by BillMiller823

Hi swh2007,

If none of the non-surgical, non-invasive options work for you, then the DPS might be a good solution. I see you're from Florida, and several places in Florida do the DPS surgery.

On a side note, one of my nurses has asthma & sleep apnea, and has learned to sleep with a face mask hooked up to a CPAP machine (I think it's a CPAP, though I'm not exactly sure what that is). The key, according to her, was getting a comfortable mask. I think there are sales reps that custom fit masks to ensure comfort, but I could be wrong about that. I'll ask her if you want me to.

Best of luck and God bless!

Yes.they are talking about hooking me up to a similiar device called a BiPAP maachine or something like that. Apparently it is somewhat more difficult to get used to than the machine you are talking about because in addition to what the CPAP or whatever does (force O2 in) it pulls Carbon dioxide out. I will probably do fine on it--just another little annoyance. But at least now I know a little more about the Pacemaker my doctor was talking about. Take care, Steve

[ancientgimp]

Originally Posted by swh2007

Yes.they are talking about hooking me up to a similiar device called a BiPAP maachine or something like that. Apparently it is somewhat more difficult to get used to than the machine you are talking about because in addition to what the CPAP or whatever does (force O2 in) it pulls Carbon dioxide out. I will probably do fine on it--just another little annoyance. But at least now I know a little more about the Pacemaker my doctor was talking about. Take care, Steve

The BIPAP machine is no more difficult to get used to than the CPAP, My wife now uses BIPAP. It does keep airway open for both inhaling and exhaling. Some BIPAPs also have backup full support vent mode in case you stop breathing during the night. The main difficulty is getting used to the face mask. There are full face masks, masks which just cover the nose and nasal pillows which fit just the nostrils. The key is getting used to one of these. Once you do, the BIPAP will keep you properly oxygenated and you should wake up refreshed. Some people use these for midday naps as well as a way to get refreshed in the middle of the day. If you are having oxygenation problems or suspect you are you may want to purchase a cheap pulse oximeter which you can get on Amazon for 65.00 or thereabouts. With the pulse oximeter you can quickly check your pulse and oxygenation level throughout the day, a friernd can check you during sleep situations. Your oxygenation level should be 90% or above. I have checked my cheap pulse oximeter against the doctor's more sophisticated one and there is no difference.

[LindaT]

Dave started out with a biPap and hated it. We tried different masks. The worst was that he could not reach up and adjust it if he was not in place.
After a bout of pneumonia last June (and nearly 2 mo stay) it was decided he should keep the trachea that was put in shortly after he was admitted. Now he uses a vent at night.
Keep us posted on how you are progressing with this Bill.

[BillMiller823]

Steve, I keep forgetting to ask my nurse about where / how she got her mask.

I like AncientGimp's suggestion of getting a cheap pulse oximeter, but I never thought of checking Amazon.com. That said, my respiratory therapist gave me these links:

http://www.devonsuperstore.com/Pulse-Oximeters-C7.aspx

http://www.semedicalsupply.com/pulse_oximeters.htm

Linda, I will, no worries.

[swh2007]

Tahnks for the above suggestions and comments. My level apparently is 87. I'm guessing I am going to have to get used to the BIPAP. At least now I know the name of the machine. As I said, just another inconvenience but nothing major....

[BillMiller823]

Steve, I finally remembered to ask my nurse about her mask. I was wrong about it being custom. Apparently there are many different shapes & sizes, and she just kept trying them until she found one that was reasonably comfortable. But that doesn't mean custom masks don't exist and aren't an option, if someone can't find a reasonably comfortable mask.

Regarding your 87/100 oxygen saturation level, I remember my doctors telling me anything in the 90s is acceptable, but the higher the better. So, I hope you get something helping you ASAP. You'll probably notice a difference in your overall comfort level, once you're back above 90. If so, the increased overall comfort might balance out the annoyance of having to use the mask & BIPAP.

Then again, if you're 87 during the day, and BIPAP is for sleep time, then you might need to pursue the DPS fairly quickly, and maybe use some oxygen during the day until then.

Good luck & God bless.

[swh2007]

Hey thanks. The 87 is only during REM sleep. Apparently at other times my other muscles are able to make up for the paralyzed diaphragm (sp) and keep it in the 90s. I never could spell that word. I have to schedule the final tests next week. I'll let you know how things work out. I'll try to get used to the machine.