Post
by Kimo » Thu Jul 10, 2014 2:34 pm
Petro,
I think I have experienced most all of your issues. I have been using CPAP now for ten years. My apnea is severe; my pressure is currently adjusted to around 15.5.
At times, it was a real struggle with the chinstrap problem. Waking up in the morning with the inside of your mouth as dry as the Gobi desert is not fun. I started putting on my chinstrap as loose as possible and for the last 6-7 years, I have not needed it at all.
How I dealt with my suffocation anxiety. I make sure I am ready to go to sleep before going to bed. When I retire, I take several, sometimes many deep breaths through my mask then exhale through my mouth. This seems to help relax the anxiety of suffocation and claustrophobia.
Itches; I still get them every night. I have tried lotions, creams and everything under the sun. Fortunately once I am asleep they go away. My mask had a lot to do with the itching. Now I am using a ResMed Mirage Activa Nasal mask. The tendency at first was to cinch up on the straps, then I realized by easing up on the straps it got WAY more comfortable and my itching has been dramatically reduced.
To Ramp or not to Ramp. Personally, I never liked the ramp feature, it seemed to increase my anxiety of suffocation. Now I am full tilt boogie right out of the chute.
Stomach sleeping. Shortly after beginning CPAP I converted to side sleeping with a nice high pillow(s).
Stick with it, it will get better over time. The adjustments you have to make are well worth the effort in the long run. Sleep apnea is one of those conditions that can be extremely dangerous to yourself and those around you.
Prior to CPAP I was falling asleep at my desk, while I was driving, while watching TV, during dinner. I was completely exhausted all the time. After my sleep study was completed, they said my Blood Oxygen level was down around 46% and my apnea events were lasting as long as 2-1/2 minutes. Today I will not even take a nap without one of my machines.
Good Luck, Kimo