CPAP Question (I Am Starting Today and Need Feedback)

[Hey Man]

I will be starting using CPAP today and I am required to use the full mask due to a deviated septum. I am curious for those that also use the full mask - do you ever feel claustrophobic? In addition, I have all these people telling me that I am going to have the best sleep ever (once I get used to it) - has that been the general experience here or are people exaggerating a little. Are you having much better sleep now than before using CPAP?

I would greatly appreciate any feedback for people who have to wear the full mask and any advice that you could provide.

Thank you very much.

[DreamOn]

Hey Man, welcome!

I am curious for those that also use the full mask - do you ever feel claustrophobic?

I thought I would, but I didn't feel claustrophobic with the full face mask. I actually like the way the air blows with a full face mask, but for other reasons I usually use nasal pillows masks.

In addition, I have all these people telling me that I am going to have the best sleep ever (once I get used to it) - has that been the general experience here or are people exaggerating a little. Are you having much better sleep now than before using CPAP?

Definitely, much better quality sleep using CPAP! There can be an adjustment period, though, as you get used to the machine and find the right mask. And some of us have to unlearn bad sleep habits too. It can take a while for the body and mind to accept that sleep is "safe" now, as most of us were struggling to breathe all night long for many years.

Sleep well tonight, and let us know how it goes!

[LSAT]

Truthfully...I felt more claustrophobic with the nasal mask. I like the way that there is lots of room for the air. It really feels more like natural breathing with the FF mask.

[Janknitz]

I was pretty claustrophobic with the FF mask. Here's some things that helped:

1. Examine the mask carefully. FF masks have a fresh air valve so that if the CPAP stops for whatever reason fresh air can come in. Examine your mask and you will find it--that can give you some peace of mind that you will not suffocate if your machine is not working.

2. Try to focus on something else to relax. White noise, soft music from an MP3 player, or other pleasant thoughts.

3. Some people practice wearing the mask with the machine on before bedtime--watching t.v. or reading just to get used to it.

4. If you have panic attacks wearing the mask, try to breathe slowly for a count of 3 as you inhale, count to three as you exhale. Remind yourself that you ARE getting air and everything is OK. Sometimes that can stop the panic feeling.

5. If you really cannot adjust, don't assume you cannot use a nasal mask or nasal pillows just because of the deviated septum. See SleepMBA's excellent blog on those topics here http://sleepandcpap.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... apnea.html and here http://sleepandcpap.blogspot.com/2010/0 ... -myth.html. It's always worth trying a different mask if it makes the difference between using CPAP at all or not. You can always go back to a FF mask if a different one doesn't work for you.

[timbalionguy]

You might want to fill out your equipment profile so we all know what equipment you have. Use text as opposed to pictures because many machines and (especially) masks look alike in the little pictures.

In addition to what everyone mentioned, take a look at your pressure setting. Sometimes, especially with autoadjusting machines, the pressure will be too low for starters. If your pressure (or minimum pressure for an APAP) is 7 or less, that might be of concern. Talk to your doctor about that (Eventually you will learn that you can, within limits, make some of your own pressure adjustments, but I would not do that right off the bat).

Another thing you might do, if your pressure is fairly low to begin with, is not use the ramp feature. Let the full force of the pressure hit you when you first turn on the machine. You will later thank yourself if you can learn to not need the ramp feature. (I started out 10-13 and never used a ramp feature. I am currently 14-18cm ).

Another thing that will help you adjust is when you have to get up and use the bathroom, etc. Shut the machine off, disconnect the hose from the mask, and go 'do your duty' with the mask on. As long as you have a reasonable tidal volume, you should be able to breathe with your mask on for several minutes at least without any risk of rebreathing too much CO2. You will know it if you are, and can then take the mask off.

And don't bock the vent holes on the mask! They are there to allow the pressure to flush out CO2 from the mask.

[Hey Man]

Well I have tried the CPAP for the last few days with the full face mask and it was awkward, but ultimately I am able to sleep with it on. However I certainly wouldn't say that I feel any different or more well rested prior to using the CPAP. Maybe it takes a while to really get the effects of CPAP.

I should point out that I am not typically claustrophobic, but before trying it - it just seemed like it would be, so I was wondering anyone else felt claustro using the full face mask. The mask I am using is pretty comfortable for the most part, but due to my deviated septum - I get next to nothing in the nose with the pillows, which I guess is the reason why I was told that I needed to use the full mask in addition to being a mouth breather because of my nose.

I am using a loaner machine - as I am waiting to see how much my insurance will cover. The machine is a Remstar Legacy and the mask I am using is this one: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/2513

I don't know if this is something that I have to alter with water or whatever (I wasn't given instructions to the loaner), but last night I felt that I had hot air blowing in my mask and I had to take it off for a bit as I felt like I was sweating with the mask on. It would be nice if the air that was blowing in my mouth was somewhat cool.

Lastly, the prescribed air pressure I was given was 7 to 9, so the machine was set at 8. I press a button and it goes down to 1 and gradually climbs to 8 over 20 minutes while I am trying to fall asleep.

Thanks and I would appreciate more feedback as per the info I provided above.

[brazospearl]

Hey Man,
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on making it through your first night. I'm not familiar with your loaner machine so I can't comment on it, but I can tell you that you need to purchase a fully data-capable autotitrating machine. This will allow you the best data collection and treatment options. Seriously, don't settle for less. Read all you can on this board so you can be armed to get the best possible machine for you. Some equipment providers understand the concept of giving their customers the best choices, others (for a variety of reasons) are more inclined to try to sell you what they want you to have. Your insurance doesn't care, they pay the same for a bottom of the line or a top of the line, so now's the time to get what's gonna work best in the long run. Many folks here use the same mask as you, so you'll be able to get lots of feedback if you have questions about it. Read, read, read all you can here, and ask any questions. We're here to help!

[elena88]

Hi there,
I use the f an p nasal pillows, but I do have a full life face mask. It blew air into my eyes and caused a white out for me!

I taped the top of the mask with medical paper tape to my face, and that solved the leak into my eyes. so if you have a leak
into your eyes, you should try that, if you dont want to wear an eye mask.. and for me, the less stuff attached to my face the better..

as for sleeping better, my road has been a bumpy one..... but a few health issues cleared up lickity split since I started..


good luck!

elena

[Jaylee]

I have never used a FF mask, but I might try one to see how I like it.

I sleep so much better now, yes. I do not wake up every 5 minutes like I did before. I can wake up in the same position I fell asleep in now.