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baskethill1 Asked July 2018

My mother is 96 has dementia and won't tolerate her CPAP. Anyone have any ideas how to make it more tolerable?

Moms co2 is thru the roof. We had to take her to the hospital again and they had to restrain her to tolerate the CPAP. We finally took it off and the restraints. We can't see putting her through this viscious cycle over and over. She deserves better. Can anyone think of a better way to tolerate the CPAP or a very light med to sleep (that wont kick her @ss for days) to tolerate it at night .. Im pretty sure shes going into hospice almost immediately and this can only lead one way if she won't tolerate it. I think we have done all we can ...but im asking you all if we missed anything ...thanks for any help.

Daughterof1930 Jul 2018
Given her age and condition I’d not go with restraints or likely the CPAP at all. Of course I can’t say for sure, but what you describe sounds torturous for her. I’d get hospice going and get meds to her help be calm, not out of it completely but calm. My dad had a CPAP, couldn’t tolerate it at all, even after trying every possible mask and mouthpiece. He finally sent it all back and told the doctors they were just trying to ruin his plans of dying in his sleep! That was over 2 years ago. Sorry you’re dealing with this...

Caregiverology Jul 2018
I'm sorry about your mother. That is a tough situation. I have encountered similar situations with patients working at the hospital. I'm not a fan of restraints personally but sometimes they are necessary. Fortunately we usually have meds we can give to help them relax and sometimes that's all it takes. Hospice should have access to many different things that will help. In the meantime, maybe try an over the counter sleep aid? I used to use nighttime alka seltzer and it worked wonders for me.

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