First Time CPAP user First night Panic Attack

Hello Everyone this is my first post as I am a new user. My story is similar to most here I suspect so I'll cut to the chase. Just received my Device last night and thought it would be a life changing experience since I have been sleeping terribly and tired all the time.
I Have an auto PAP so the settings are set between 5 and 20. I put the mask on and went to bed. It was a very anxious experience to say the least bordering on a panic attack. It felt like I wasn't getting enough air despite there being a continuous flow of air. I find it hard to explain but I felt like it was hard to breathe even though when I inhaled I could feel the machine helping and it felt good but it was exhaling that was a little odd. I had a little headache at first but that went away. I don't know why I felt anxious, I could breathe but it was a feeling I hadn't experienced before. I guess it will take time but it feels so awkward. I thought I diagnosed my sleep apnea, now I have the machine so I would just put it on and have the best sleep of my life? Naïve?
If anyone can share their experience or offer any advice I would be grateful.
Thanks,
John

It's an adjustment; it will take time.

You might want to set the min higher than 5 (maybe 7). Also, if the exhalation bothers you, you can lower or disable the exhalation relief (for ResMed machines, the trade name is "Expiratory pressure relief" or "EPR"). Also, if the problem happens at the beginning of the night, try turning off the ramp.

I can't totally relate. It get better. Someone here suggested that I hover my hand over the exhilaration port to feel the air flow when I start getting anxious. I found it helped a ton. I also upped my minimum pressure which helped.

Good luck! It will get better!

You're trying to inhale at a very low min. pressure setting of 5 - turn it to 7 or even 8 (leave the max high, no need to adjust unless it's very low) and you should feel better.

Welcome to the forum

Dunemedic wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 3:56 am

It felt like I wasn't getting enough air despite there being a continuous flow of air. I find it hard to explain but I felt like it was hard to breathe even though when I inhaled I could feel the machine helping and it felt good but it was exhaling that was a little odd.

Common complaint and usually related to the settings being used. The low pressure simply doesn't let us feel like enough air is moving...obviously it is moving and we won't suffocate but it isn't comfortable and it can sure feel like we are suffocating.

Go here and request the clinical/provider manual for your machine.
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual
Read it and figure out how to get into the clinical setup menu area where you can see all the various settings and options.

I have an idea to help you be more comfortable with things but I need to know what settings and options you are currently using besides just the 5 to 20 settings. There's more to it than just those settings...there's ramp and EPR and some other stuff.
To give you a better shot at getting more comfortable I need to know where you are at with your settings.
Most likely ramp is turned on and you are starting out at the minimum of 4 cm...and EPR can't help and most people will have a problem with not enough air moving at 4 cm.
Let's figure out exactly what your settings are and go from there. You do have options and more than the "you will adjust with time" option. I hate that one myself when there are other options out there.
No one should ever have to be miserable and expect to get better with time when there are things available to help.

Julie wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 10:31 am

You're trying to inhale at a very low min. pressure setting of 5 - turn it to 7 or even 8 (leave the max high, no need to adjust unless it's very low) and you should feel better.

Yeah...but what if ramp is turned on for 45 minutes (the default setting for that machine)....changing the minimum isn't going to do a damn thing until ramp is done with.

I initially used a ramp that was set to start at 6 and increase to 11 over 45 min. I felt like I couldn’t breathe at 6 and kept lifting my mask up to get air. I ended up changing the ramp to start at 8, which was much more comfortable and worked for me.

I'll leave the technical stuff to Pugsy!

I just want to pass on that you are exactly.....normal in how you felt about the first try! While there are variations, it is hard to have something on your face and the effects of the pressure changes and movements are not helping you to feel like "this is wonderful"!

Doctors and providers are not much help in finding what really works well for you. They have a "one size fits all" mentality all too often.

Just a difference in pressure, change in ramp, change in exhalation settings make a BIG difference in how it feels to breathe when using your equipment.

There are different kinds of masks. Some cover much of your face, some only contact your nostrils. Finding one you like is important. But it takes a bit of time. There is good advice here.....

Thank you to all that replied it is very reassuring. I was told that all that needs to be set are the mins and max as the machine automatically adjusts to me. But what people have said about the Ramp makes sense as after I feel briefly asleep I did notice the changes in pressure and it was much easier to breathe. But it was weird feeling the pressure I kept wanting to fight my cheeks expanding but tried to just go with it.
I only made it to 0330 before I ripped it off in disgust. I know it will take time and I guess I was stupid to think the first night would be nirvana.
As far as the settings all I know is what I can see and I cant really get into the menu to see the EPR but I will see what I can do with the ramp. I was told the device has a blue tooth connection and uploads everything to the portal and the people that fitted me said I can call and they would adjust the settings or have my provider do it.
This is all new to me and I have had anxiety issues every since returning from the Middle East.
Thanks to all and I look forward to any help.
John
PS the mask is new and covers my mouth and fits under my nose to include my nose.

That's called a 'full face mask' - not to be confused with the usually leaky 'Total Life' mask that really covers your whole face.

You CAN get the clinician manual and do your own adjustments as we all do - go to Apneaboard.com and find those CM's - just make sure you get the right model number.

Different masks make a big difference. Switching from a full face mask to a nasal mask helped me tremendously. It made the difference between tossing and turning and finally dropping of from sheer exhaustion to looking forward to going to sleep at night.

Dunemedic wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 12:27 pm

Thank you to all that replied it is very reassuring. I was told that all that needs to be set are the mins and max as the machine automatically adjusts to me.

You were told wrong. Listen to pugsy, not whoever told you that lie.

Auto machines do adjust, but they aren't magic, they need to be set properly to start with, and 5-20 isn't set right for 99% of people.

Cynmatthes wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Different masks make a big difference. Switching from a full face mask to a nasal mask helped me tremendously. It made the difference between tossing and turning and finally dropping of from sheer exhaustion to looking forward to going to sleep at night.

Thank you. I was told a nasal mask would not work for me since I snore.

Dunemedic wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:55 pm

Cynmatthes wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 1:55 pm

Different masks make a big difference. Switching from a full face mask to a nasal mask helped me tremendously. It made the difference between tossing and turning and finally dropping of from sheer exhaustion to looking forward to going to sleep at night.

Thank you. I was told a nasal mask would not work for me since I snore.

Did you check for proboscis growth on the speaker?

Dunemedic wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 09, 2019 6:55 pm

Thank you. I was told a nasal mask would not work for me since I snore.

Huh????

Most of all of us here snored...I would rattle the windows with my snoring...been using nasal mask for over 9 years.

The only reason for a person to not be able to use a nasal mask is if they simply can't breathe through their nose because of congestion that can't be cleared up.
Has nothing to do with snoring or not.