Cpap about be run over in “tragic” accident

Make sure you don't put the lavender (or anything else at all) in the water itself, but on a cotton ball just outside the air intake of the machine.

If you have someone who is knowledgeable with oils/aromatherapy, ask about a synergistic blend specifically for trauma release. I don't recall the components of the blend I received last, but it can be more helpful than just lavender.

And to add to Julie's suggestion, place the cotton ball on a dish or a piece of foil, so as not to damage the tabletop

chunkyfrog wrote:I, too, felt like the pressure was too much to bear at first.
It was not long before I was groovin' like a labrador with my head out the pickup window.

don't you find it hard to sleep with your ears flapping like that?

zonker wrote:

chunkyfrog wrote:I, too, felt like the pressure was too much to bear at first.
It was not long before I was groovin' like a labrador with my head out the pickup window.

don't you find it hard to sleep with your ears flapping like that?

Don't forget the jowl flapping too!

G1itched,

I can't EVEN begin to think what to say to you about your horrible experience.

I am, myself very claustrophobic, so I and masks did not get along at all well.

I now use the TapPap, which attaches to my teeth and has no straps at all. So there's nothing in front of my face, or wrapping itself around my head. And because I had braces as a kid, I'm used to something like the mouthpiece.

I also made a "brandy keg" chin support because I couldn't handle chin straps -- that STUFF on my face again.

The suggestion of CBT is good.

I always read before I go to sleep, so one of the things I did to help get used to the mask was to get ready for bed, start reading a bit, then, as I relaxed, I would put on the mask, turn on the machine (I do NOT use the ramp feature because I feel as if I am suffocating if the pressure is too low), and grab my book for some reading again while I calmed down again.

Don't know if this will help, but I can tell you truly that the benefits of optimized CPAP therapy are WELL worth whatever you need to do to get there.

Wishing you all the best.

a few things, I have both types of dreamweaver mask if you want me to send them somewhere. They didn't work out for me. Secondly I know PTSD is hard to deal with. I've had some success with my CPTSD with Dave Jetson. He does Skype therapy if needed, and retreats. I know CBT can help deal with the symptoms and sometimes allow you to avoid triggers, but his method actually clears the PTSD. Hope things go well!

Here's another vote for one of the soft cloth "Dreamweaver" masks. When I first started xpap therapy I couldn't stand the hard plastic masks. I found the Dreamweaver mask to be the perfect solution. I could sleep in any position comfortably. You might find this less disturbing that traditional masks.

Here's another thought... the Tap Pap mask has NO straps at all. It is a nasal cushion mask, so you might not like it but it is way less on your face. It is held in place by a dental mouthpiece that you can easily mold to fit your own teeth. I used it after having facial surgery that would not have allowed the use of a traditional mask.

Good luck to you. I really hope you find a good solution, or are able to learn to adapt to a comfortable mask. Keep trying!

A few suggestions.

1)Try signing up for an ID and listing your equipment and mask in your profile. I know they had a problem with registration, but I think it works now. That way, everyone can see your equipment every time they read your post.

2) Try to figure out what CPAP model and pressure settings you have and post them here. We can give you more help with that info.

3) Try getting used to the mask and the CPAP while awake. Easily said by someone without the problems, but that can be a real lifesaver. One benefit. If you use the CPAP 4 hours a day, even when awake, it counts as "compliance" for insurance purposes. Take the machine to where you watch TV or read and get the hours in.

NOTE: remove the water tank before moving the machine.

Try wearing the mask with no hose and no CPAP to get used to it. The no hose part is important. If you leave the hose on without CPAP, you'll be breathing stale air. You can also work with just holding the mask, no straps.

4) I think Pugsy touched on this, but too low a starting pressure can give feeling of suffocating. Most of the DME's (CPAP sellers) and sleep doctors are pretty incompetent and don't understand the patient's needs, especially on this issue. They tend to think that a low pressure is comfortable for everyone. They don't realize that many people get a feeling of suffocation from low pressure.

Many of us have to figure out how to make our own adjustments to the CPAP machine and change our own pressure. People here can give you pointers once you find out what machine you have. Your DME and doctor will be probably be horrified if they find out. The medical mafia doesn't like people intruding on their turf.

5) Don't concentrate on getting a solution with a different mask. It sounds like your main problem is mental, not physical. Yes, a different mask may help, but you've got to solve the mental problem.

6) Other therapy - CPAP is by far the best therapy. All the other solutions are borderline quackery in my opinion. Outright quackery in many cases.

7) Try sleeping in a recliner. It makes CPAP easier for some people.

Hi G1
I had severe panic attacks when first starting cpap, that foreign thing on my face sent me spinning. So I went to my doctor, he prescribed meds and I was off to succeed. I started slowly at first by putting the mask on while sitting with my wife and every time I felt panic we started talking. And so it went till I felt good enough to actually hook up to my machine...still sitting with management. eventually my brain eased up enough where I could lay in bed with my machine on, eventually falling asleep. I fought it for several months by taking it off in my sleep but eventually that came to a halt too. Now my mask is my best friend, I have been papping now for 6-7 years, and keep meds on hand but never need them. Wish u the best of luck in your quest to conquer and succeed.

chunkyfrog wrote:. . . No problem with ears and jowls flapping in the wind;
but some of the places my tongue gets stuck to!

OUCH!