Trouble Breathing-HELP

I've been using the CPAP for several months now, and have adapted very well to the nasal pillows. I sleep well with the machine, but now I am now able to sleep without it! If I try to lay down for a nap mid day, I feel very short of breath. I cannot seem to fall asleep without the machine because I end up gasping for breath just before I fall asleep.

Is this common? Is it a psychological thing or a real issue? I'm a bit concerned, any insight would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, can't answer about the psychology because I don't know you and you haven't really given much to go on.

As far as the other goes, the problem could be a machine glitch, a mask problem, a worsening of your apnea (tho' I think it's less likely), the need for a higher pressure setting, anxiety that may have nothing to do with OSA/Cpap, anything, and again I have nothing to go on. I am concerned that you said you can sleep without the machine now... are you under the impression that your apnea is cured? It's not (unless something else radical changed that you'd be aware of) because it's a chronic condition, like diabetes, that doesn't get 'cured', only treated. And without a new sleep study, you'd have no way of knowing. I might also talk to your doctor in case you have developed some other problem (pneumonia, cardiac trouble, etc) that needs to be looked at.

Please provide more info, like machine name and model (not just the brand), mask name/type, pressure settings, etc... and do you use Sleepyhead software to track your progress? Do you still use the ramp?

Once diagnosed with SA and getting therapy from a CPAP machine, you SHOULD NOT be sleeping without the unit. Perhaps it is your subconscious telling you to mask up before sleeping.

Npuglin1 wrote:I've been using the CPAP for several months now, and have adapted very well to the nasal pillows. I sleep well with the machine, but now I am now able to sleep without it! If I try to lay down for a nap mid day, I feel very short of breath. I cannot seem to fall asleep without the machine because I end up gasping for breath just before I fall asleep.

Is this common? Is it a psychological thing or a real issue? I'm a bit concerned, any insight would be greatly appreciated!

you need to view cpap like glasses. let's rephrase your complaint:

"I've been using the glasses for several months now, and have adapted very well to the nasal pads. I see well with the glasses , but now I am now able to see without them! If I try to read mid day, I feel things are very out of focus. I cannot seem to read without the glasses because I end up unable to find the book.