My mom lives at home i dependently, but has had gradually worsening emphysema for years. She was told in December that her co2 was high and to use a BIPAP 4 hours a day.
Neither she nor my sister and I (her kids) understood what it was for, just thinking it was nighttime oxygen. She hated it and has not been getting nearly 4 hours on it.
But she’s had several a-fib incidents and is suffering weakness and worsening breathing. We kids got involved and realize the BIPAP is important. She’s trying now but still struggling to make it work for her.
The issue that has us confused is that she monitors her blood o2 and says that often her oxygen levels fall when she’s on the BIPAP. I don’t think that’s supposed to happen. Can anyone offer advice about that?
Also, who would we go to for BIPAP support. The company has sent someone twice but I think she needs someone more like a nurse or occupational therapist to help her understand how to use it.