Newbie bogged down already

Hello,
I am a newbie without much success yet. I first tried a nasal mask right up against my nose. Very claustrophobic. Then they switched me to a little mask that covered only my nose. That was better but I still dread putting it on so haven't used it. I actually dread the whole idea but know I must use it for severe sleep apnea. I have an appointment Friday with a different technician. The first one was too busy to return calls. I have asked to look at a full mask. I think that might help since my chronic nasal congestion may be hindering my success with nasal masks. .

Any suggestions on how yo get over the claustrophobia or what mask type might work best for me. Thanks!

Nanatjjjam wrote:Hello,
I am a newbie without much success yet. I first tried a nasal mask right up against my nose. Very claustrophobic. Then they switched me to a little mask that covered only my nose. That was better but I still dread putting it on so haven't used it. I actually dread the whole idea but know I must use it for severe sleep apnea. I have an appointment Friday with a different technician. The first one was too busy to return calls. I have asked to look at a full mask. I think that might help since my chronic nasal congestion may be hindering my success with nasal masks. .

Any suggestions on how yo get over the claustrophobia or what mask type might work best for me. Thanks!

What are your humidity settings?
Too much warm humidity can contribute to the feelings of claustrophobia and nasal congestion.
If your HH settings are higher, you might try turning them down or off.

Don't think I would go to the extreme of a shrink just yet. As you get familiar and used to the mask the fear may well abate. Also, have you tried a nasal pillow mask? They are very minimal and est under your nose.

I've seen suggestions here to spend some time otherwise occupied while wearing your CPAP while not trying to sleep. Put it on and watch a good movie, or read a book, or maybe listen to some good music. Let your brain get used to thving the mask on. Desensitize yourself to it. Eventually you will find it comforting, but it may take a while.
Jim

Nanatjjjam wrote:Hello,
I am a newbie without much success yet. I first tried a nasal mask right up against my nose. Very claustrophobic. Then they switched me to a little mask that covered only my nose. That was better but I still dread putting it on so haven't used it. I actually dread the whole idea but know I must use it for severe sleep apnea. I have an appointment Friday with a different technician. The first one was too busy to return calls. I have asked to look at a full mask. I think that might help since my chronic nasal congestion may be hindering my success with nasal masks. .

Any suggestions on how yo get over the claustrophobia or what mask type might work best for me. Thanks!

Spend time wearing your equipment while you are awake - use your brain to overcome your fears.

Changes (especially in sleep) takes time. If your body can learn to sleep while struggling for air every minute, you can eventually learn to sleep with equipment. Stay with it.

Try on the Resmed F10 mask. Be sure to take a pillow to the appointment and ask that they hook you up to a demo machine with your settings. Lie on the floor and roll around with your mask on. Try to get the best scenario at the office that you would in your bed.

Sheriff

Nanatjjjam wrote:Hello,
I am a newbie without much success yet. I first tried a nasal mask right up against my nose. Very claustrophobic. Then they switched me to a little mask that covered only my nose. That was better but I still dread putting it on so haven't used it. I actually dread the whole idea but know I must use it for severe sleep apnea. I have an appointment Friday with a different technician. The first one was too busy to return calls. I have asked to look at a full mask. I think that might help since my chronic nasal congestion may be hindering my success with nasal masks. .

Any suggestions on how yo get over the claustrophobia or what mask type might work best for me. Thanks!

Excellent advice by everyone with the exception of telling you to see a shrink for claustrophobia. Additionally, you might want to consider seeing an ENT about your nasal congestion as depending on your situation, that can impact the effectiveness of pap therapy.

49er

I am a fairly new newbie. Two and one half months into this so called therapy. You dont need a shrink. You need time and patience to get used to all the stuff on your face. I am not used to any of it. My nights are still bad. Little if any quality sleep. I keep changing masks hoping for the magic touch. Not happening. I need to take my own advice. Was told by my provider that once I am 3 months in I can start all over again and I am allowed 7 masks --again. Yikes- dont want to go through it. Plunk your magic twanger froggie and come up with the right mask right now!

Nanatjjjam wrote:Hello,
I am a newbie without much success yet. I first tried a nasal mask right up against my nose. Very claustrophobic. Then they switched me to a little mask that covered only my nose. That was better but I still dread putting it on so haven't used it. I actually dread the whole idea but know I must use it for severe sleep apnea. I have an appointment Friday with a different technician. The first one was too busy to return calls. I have asked to look at a full mask. I think that might help since my chronic nasal congestion may be hindering my success with nasal masks. .

Any suggestions on how yo get over the claustrophobia or what mask type might work best for me. Thanks!

Try the full face mask I wear: Universal Hybrid mask, it uses pillows and a mouth cushion. I have both severe claustrophobia and a fear of suffocation. I cannot see the mask when I am wearing it. It comes with 3 sizes of pillows, 3 sizes of mouth cushion, headgear, and a instructional DVD. Works with low and high pressure settings. Does not fit narrow faces very well.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... ct-image-4

There are at least 2 other hybrid-style full face masks: Liberty and Amara View. Cpap.com sells all 3 and sells insurance so you can return it if it doesn't work for you.

I'm still a newbie myself so I'm by no means an expert, but I think it just takes time. I wasn't excited about having to wear a mask on my face at night, the first night with my nasal pillows, I was feeling claustrophobic too. I couldn't breathe through my mouth and it was a scary feeling. I pushed through it though, and just about two weeks into using it, I'm still not 100% comfortable with it, but I am doing better. It gets easier if you just keep putting it on every night and get yourself used to it. Try some relaxation exercises and see if you can reduce your anxiety with the claustrophobia. I tried a full face mask, and while I didn't feel as claustrophobic with it, it had other issues. After using it for 2 nights, I was actually happy to go back to the nasal pillows. That was surprising! So my inexperienced advice is to give it time and keep trying. Hopefully you'll get used to the mask and it'll start feeling more comfortable.

I would also recommend doing things while awake to get used to the feel of the mask. Wear it around the house as you take care of odds and ends. Wear it while you read a book or watch tv. Anything to distract your mind from focusing on the headgear and the thing on your face. You want to feel like it's simply an extension of you, like a pair of glasses. If all goes well after a while when you wake up in the morning if for just and instant you'll forget your even wearing it.

If you have chronic nasel congestion you definitely want to look at some sort of full face or hybrid mask that would allow you to "mouth breath" while still being treated. If you can't get enough air in and out of your nose the normal response is to breath through your mouth. If your using a nose only mask and you force your self to try and breath through just your nose when congestion has limited that so much you may feel like your suffocating or not getting enough air because you probably are not. Worse case if you have to stay with a nose only mask. Make sure you take steps to treat the congestion, see an allergist or and ENT and rule out any structural issues like a deviated septum.

Big issue is going to be finding a mask that works well with you. You want little or no leaks and you want it to be as comfortable as possible.

Share with us as much info as you can and well do our best to help.

Rest well

Gryphon

Welcome
I used the hybrid that Muse told you about, for about 4 years, then I started to experiment with other masks. I now prefer the P10, but that's just me, you will go through several until you find the right one for you. As others have said, wear the mask while matching tv or other activity to become use to it. I fell asleep in my easy chair last evening and kept waking myself up with house shaking snoring , it reminded me that if I felt sleepy.... don your mask and go to bed

Don`t listen to xxyzx he is a troll that thinks he never make mistakes and doesn't give out bad advice.
Cheers
Nan

AMESS wrote:I am a fairly new newbie. Two and one half months into this so called therapy. You dont need a shrink. You need time and patience to get used to all the stuff on your face. I am not used to any of it. My nights are still bad. Little if any quality sleep. I keep changing masks hoping for the magic touch. Not happening. I need to take my own advice. Was told by my provider that once I am 3 months in I can start all over again and I am allowed 7 masks --again. Yikes- dont want to go through it. Plunk your magic twanger froggie and come up with the right mask right now!

your provider is full of nonsense. If you have a prescription and upload it to Cpap.com you can get as my masks as you can afford. insurance just won't pay for them. Personally I've tapped my HSA for about 7 masks this year.

There is Claustrophobia and then there is "Claustrophobia" in the literal sense. Like people who have a full on panic attack if too many people get on an elevator with them.

The OP didn't mention a diagnosis of clostraphobia just used the term to expand on how they felt.

I find that most issues are like a spectrum. You can be a little OCD and it can help with things and sometimes hinder and with a little of something... a little behavior modification can help you move past the issue.

If the OP was having the kind of clostraphobic reaction that would have me recommend professional intervention, IE: panic attacks when wearing the mask, I think they would have given more detail to that effect. Also they mentioned wanting to try a full face mask and issues with congestion. Not getting enough air from a nose mask when you can't breath through your nose anyway could cause a clostraphobic reaction. IE: get this thing off my face...

Only the OP can know for sure if their reaction is something that needs to be seen by a mental health professional. At this point though with the info we have it seams a bit premature to schedule the shrink visit already.

For what it's worth.

Gryphon

nicholas--it is true--Medicare and my supplement will cover it----again.Rules of the road. Dont try to outwit me!