suffocating

[misskitty]

I just started on the cpap for a week. The longest i have keep it on is maybe 2 hours at night. I just can't seem to relax and go to sleep. I also feel like i being suffocated when i breathe out. Is this normal ?

[drj130]

Welcome misskitty. One of the first things I'd like to do, is ask you to fill out your equipment information under your user profile. It will make things easier for use to help advise you. When you do, please select the Text version.

Getting use to sleeping with our equipment takes some time to get use to using. When you do, you will wonder how you were able to get by without it. Stick with it. There are many here who should be able to answer any and all questions you may have.

David

[harry33]

welcome

your problem is common for new users, some have panic attacks from a fear of suffication

DONT USE THE RAMP, start at full pressure, lie comfortably in bed, lie any way, not always on your back

take deep slow breaths at the full pressure and have a pleasant daydream

stay with us

[wlenz]

Misskitty, you have received some excellent advice from both drj and harry. I started BiPAP with the suffocating and claustrophobic feeling with the mask on my face. Harry is right when he says, do not use the ramp. It does not supply enough air and I only found relief by starting at full pressure. It still took a while to get used to the mask, and sitting up in bed was more comfortable than being on my back or side. Turn the lights out so that you do not focus on the mask, then gradually flatten out to your normal sleeping position. You specified that your problem was exhalation. Please let us know what equipment you are using. There are modes of operation that provide exhalation relief on many machines.
Using your machine properly adjusted and for the full night will make a big difference for you. Good luck,
Bill

[tattooyu]

Yes, yes and yes.

When I had my first experience with a mask at the sleep center, I had a panic attack. Mind you, I was already pumped full of stress hormones from the apnea itself and having panic attacks.

I'm wondering if your pressure is too low and you're not getting enough air. Definitely turn off the ramp and lie in bed awake to get used to the mask. Just know you WILL NOT suffocate (just the opposite!) and keep at it. You do have to adjust. There'll be a time when you'll say, "I wanted to sleep without my mask?"

[KengEsq]

I just started on the cpap for a week. The longest i have keep it on is maybe 2 hours at night. I just can't seem to relax and go to sleep. I also feel like i being suffocated when i breathe out. Is this normal ?

If your machine has EPR or A-Flex or any other pressure relief on exhale, try getting used to the machine with the pressure relief off. Sometimes that drop in pressure on exhale can make a person feel they are suffocating.

[kyteacher]

This my third week and I too felt like you do. At first I could only sleep with it for a couple of hours. I started out with a mask with nasal pillows and nothing over my mouth. I couldn't get use to not letting my mouth open, and when I did, all the air would leave my lungs and I felt like I would suffocate. I tried using a chin strap, but the air would still escape from my mouth, so I now use a full face mask. The air no longer rushes from my lungs and I can actually sleep through the night. I still wake up several times a night, but not because I feel like I am suffocating. I think I just have to get use to sleeping with my head wrapped in a head gear and a huge mask on my face. You may want to try different types of masks until you find one that you feel comfortable with.

Someone on this forum suggested wearing your mask during the day, to get use to it. So I put on my mask, turned on the cpap machine and watch television in bed until I could relax and then turned off the tv and went to sleep. This did help me get through the first few nights.

If you're like me I just about gave up, but thanks to all the encouraging people on this forum and their wonderful advice, I'm still hanging in there. It is getting better for me and I'm sure it will for you too.

[misskitty]

Thank everyone for the advise. Also what is the RAMP. How do i turn the pressure up? It is set at 10-15

[tattooyu]

When you turn on the machine and it finishes its self-test, you should be at the main screen where you can adjust the ramp time. Ramp is a setting that gradually increases the pressure up to the set pressure. However, if you are in auto mode, you would see "Settling Time". That's the amount of time the machine spends at the minimum pressure before the "auto" and data recording kicks in.

You may just need to get used to the pressure. Also, do you have EPR turned on? Press the Menu button (left) and scroll through using the up/down buttons. You should have access to it. EPR is "Expiratory Pressure Relief" where the pressure drops when you exhale. I use mine on level 1 (out of 3). Much more comfortable for me. Don't hesitate to turn that on, but only use as little as you need.

[misskitty]

When you turn on the machine and it finishes its self-test, you should be at the main screen where you can adjust the ramp time. Ramp is a setting that gradually increases the pressure up to the set pressure. However, if you are in auto mode, you would see "Settling Time". That's the amount of time the machine spends at the minimum pressure before the "auto" and data recording kicks in.

You may just need to get used to the pressure. Also, do you have EPR turned on? Press the Menu button (left) and scroll through using the up/down buttons. You should have access to it. EPR is "Expiratory Pressure Relief" where the pressure drops when you exhale. I use mine on level 1 (out of 3). Much more comfortable for me. Don't hesitate to turn that on, but only use as little as you need.

Thanks tattooyu I will make sure the EPR is turned on. So much to get us to.

[tattooyu]

Thanks tattooyu I will make sure the EPR is turned on. So much to get us to.

Indeed! You'll get there, and you'll thank yourself (and us?) later.

[Uncle_Bob]

I just started on the cpap for a week. The longest i have keep it on is maybe 2 hours at night. I just can't seem to relax and go to sleep. I also feel like i being suffocated when i breathe out. Is this normal ?

2 hours to start sounds like my experience. The main thing is to try and remain calm, the therapy is new and drastic for most people.
I found it good to to say to myself oh well 2 hours is better than one hour and next the night i will aim for 3 hours etc.

You might possibly be on a pressure that was too low, do you know what pressure you were titrated at? setting a CPAP to that pressure is a good starting point and setting the lower range of an APAP machine around that pressure is also a good starting point.

To help with the relaxation you might want to try using the machine during the day while watching TV etc just to help get used to it.

You might also want to try some aromatherapy products offered by http://www.pur-sleep.com/ to help relax and take your mind off the equipment.

Good luck

[tattooyu]

You might also want to try some aromatherapy products offered by http://www.pur-sleep.com/ to help relax and take your mind off the equipment.

Yes, yes! I received them as a present for my birthday and they really help me relax. It's worth it IMHO.

[raggedykat]

You might also want to try some aromatherapy products offered by http://www.pur-sleep.com/ to help relax and take your mind off the equipment.

I keep reading (I can't remember where) that these aren't recommended for breathing in all night. How long have you used them? Obviously they aren't hurting you.

MissKitty - I have been on cpap therapy for about six weeks and every day it gets easier. Things that bothered me last week aren't an issue this week. So just hang in there and don't worry if you have to go slow. You will get there. And this group is the best in the world!

[Uncle_Bob]

You might also want to try some aromatherapy products offered by http://www.pur-sleep.com/ to help relax and take your mind off the equipment.

I keep reading (I can't remember where) that these aren't recommended for breathing in all night. How long have you used them? Obviously they aren't hurting you.

I've been using the pur-sleep aromatherapy for about 5 months on and off and I'm still alive (body, not mind yet )

If i remember correctly the instructions state that the aroma will be around for up to 2 hours and it does not last all night. I only use a single drop each time.