I’m on CPAP - please help me survive hell

[LittleSpyintheSky]

I’m on CPAP. Everyone is doing their best to keep me alive but I feel traumatised. Family and friends are still asleep. Is anyone there to talk to me?

My friend was on CPAP in intensive care during the first wave. He was pretty poorly but he turned a corner and did get better, was discharged only about 5 days later and has gone on to make a full recovery. And the doctors now know a lot more than they did about how to treat this. I agree with others, do what you can to distract yourself with podcasts etc.

Not long now before you can take it off. How are you feeling?

I'm going to attempt fudge making today, have you ever made it and do you have any tips for me?!

I hope you’re much better this morning, LittleSpyintheSky. When I’m unwell or unhappy — not for serious physical reasons like yours, just life — things always seem worst in the early hours of the morning. I find this verse by George Matheson comforting:

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

Poetry is my back-up: I got used to learning it by heart at school, and now keep it as a resource for when I can’t read, eg at the dentist. The Matheson verse is one I first read as a poem, and later found out it’s from a hymn.

I hope you are making a good recovery this morning.

You can do this OP. You're a fighter and you know it ❤️

I hope you're resting now. Do you have an audible subscription? You could just close your eyes and listen to something really light read by someone with a lovely voice? Would that help at all?

I'm so sorry for what you are having to face today

Good Morning, I hope the CPAP has let you have some much needed rest, and that your lungs are easier this morning.

Rooting for you 🌸 One day this will all be over and in your rear view mirror. For now we will all help carry you through. You've got this x

Hope you managed some sleep op.

I second audible, headphones and a lovely distracting audiobook, even if you can't sleep you can close your eyes, let your mind wander and your body rest

CPAP can be very hard to tolerate. I'm so sorry you're struggling. Hopefully you'll improve quickly, then you might be able to move on to optiflow, which is similar to CPAP but it just goes up your nose.

I hope you're sleeping or relaxing and feeling happier and more comfortable

I hope you’re ok. Reading this makes me (junior doctor) think more about empathy for patients and how hard CPAP must be. I can try answer any (basic) medical questions or about the running of the ward if you need. Well done for checking yourself to sats and getting yourself to hospital ASAP. Xx

@thinkingaboutLangCleg

I hope you’re much better this morning, LittleSpyintheSky. When I’m unwell or unhappy — not for serious physical reasons like yours, just life — things always seem worst in the early hours of the morning. I find this verse by George Matheson comforting:

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

Poetry is my back-up: I got used to learning it by heart at school, and now keep it as a resource for when I can’t read, eg at the dentist. The Matheson verse is one I first read as a poem, and later found out it’s from a hymn.

I hope you are making a good recovery this morning.

Your poem made me cry - in the nicest of ways. Thank you.

Than you everyone. I’m reading all your posts. I’m going to be on CPAP for at least another day. I’m tolerating it better - still hate it, but I can cope. I have to endow story. I have my playlist on - Paranoid playing now. Bringing back happy memories

@Medstudent12

I hope you’re ok. Reading this makes me (junior doctor) think more about empathy for patients and how hard CPAP must be. I can try answer any (basic) medical questions or about the running of the ward if you need. Well done for checking yourself to sats and getting yourself to hospital ASAP. Xx

I’ve had nothing but kindness from docs nurses - everyone. I’m trying my best to return it.

One lady in here is do awful to the nurses, so angry and uncooperative. She isn’t helping herself.

You won’t believe what’s playing now. Meatloaf Heaven can wait. Making me properly cry

Please to hear you are going a bit better op

Sending you lots of love Music is my therapy so I hope it will help you drift into relaxation and let that oxygen in

@LittleSpyintheSky

I’m on CPAP. Everyone is doing their best to keep me alive but I feel traumatised. Family and friends are still asleep. Is anyone there to talk to me?

My husband spent almost 5 days on CPAP... he went into hospital a week ago and was diagnosed with a COVID related pneumonia (we had all tested positive for Covid on the previous Monday). He was on 100% oxygen from the CPAP when he was first admitted last Saturday... today he is having just 1% oxygen through a nasal cannula & is well enough to get out of bed, shower/get dressed etc. We have our fingers firmly crossed that he may be allowed home on Monday. This time last week I was told that it was likely he would not be home for Christmas. I hope this has given you a little bit of hope, I know every case is different but this has been our experience over the last 7 days. Xxx

Wishing your Husband well too

Thank you MrsM. So happy your husbands outcome has been so good. Best wishes to you both.

Just sending some love. If you can get Netflix on your device then Schitt's Creek is the most heartwarming, easy going, funny show I have seen for ages. Very calming and easy to watch.

Hi, sorry to hear you are unwell. I had to use the CPAP for hours on end in the hospital when I had Covid and I know how suffocating and claustrophobic it is. Try and focus on the stream of pure oxygen coming through, rather than the tightness of the mask. The oxygen is life-giving. Focus on that.

Is it a full face CPAP mask or one that just covers the nose and mouth? Both are equally bad I know.

Glad you're tolerating the CPAP better OP, we're all rooting for you.

@starray

Is it a full face CPAP mask or one that just covers the nose and mouth? Both are equally bad I know.

Nose and mouth. Sorry you’ve been through this too

Playlist is hilarious - Dont let the sun go down on me, I just died in your arms tonight 😂😂😂

Properly bopped to I can’t get no satisfaction. Wanted to get up and bop. I must be feeling much better 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻