Panic???

[4kidsmom]

Last night was my first night with my machine. It's set at a pressure level of 9, and when I push the ramp button it starts at 4 and when it detects more is needed, takes 20 mins to get to the 9. I woke up several times last night, after it reached the 9 pressure feeling like I couldn't breathe out, to the point that I had to remove the mask and shut it off for a moment to calm myself. It feels similar to an experience I had once when having an MRI, which I was told was most likely a panic attack. It wasn't as bad, because I wasn't in tears, but still felt similar. I wonder if you all think it was (I do not normally have anxiety and honestly have no clue), or if it's just something that happens because I'm not used to having to put forth so much effort to breathe out?? And what can I do to lessen the times I wake up after I'm asleep? I usually sleep like the dead, and nothing short of being shaken will wake me.

[LAGrandpa]

There are some things we can suggest to help but first we need to know the exact make and model of you machine and which mask you are using.

[BlackSpinner]

Practice wearing it while watching a good movie to get used to it.

[mummmz]

Last night was my first night with my machine. It's set at a pressure level of 9, and when I push the ramp button it starts at 4 and when it detects more is needed, takes 20 mins to get to the 9. I woke up several times last night, after it reached the 9 pressure feeling like I couldn't breathe out, to the point that I had to remove the mask and shut it off for a moment to calm myself. It feels similar to an experience I had once when having an MRI, which I was told was most likely a panic attack. It wasn't as bad, because I wasn't in tears, but still felt similar. I wonder if you all think it was (I do not normally have anxiety and honestly have no clue), or if it's just something that happens because I'm not used to having to put forth so much effort to breathe out?? And what can I do to lessen the times I wake up after I'm asleep? I usually sleep like the dead, and nothing short of being shaken will wake me.

Depending on what machine you have there may be an exhale relief setting. On my machine it is called "Flex". If it is enabled, I can set it to 1, 2, or 3. My machine also has an EZ-Start mode that increases the pressure gradually. Mine was turned off when I got it but someone posted that theirs was on and they didn't like it. Yours might be turned on.

Can you put your machine and mask information in your user profile so we know what equipment you have?

[Grace~~~]

Practice wearing it while watching a good movie to get used to it.

I completely agree with BlackSpinner.
I followed this wonderful advice in the beginning and it helped me on many different levels.

You might even want to google search "aromatherapy and anxiety". You can put on drop of oil on a cotton pad and place it near the air intake and use your machine to reduce anxiety. Or simply to help you visualize and relax.

I also found that I needed pressure relief on the exhale as mummmz mentioned. This whole treatment does take a little more work on our part other than just being "compliant". But I'm going to predict that the feeling of 'panic' will go away as you really begin to understand why you're here and how this all works.

There's some really great posters on cpaptalk. I am so happy for you that you found the site so early in to your treatment.

[chunkyfrog]

You can shorten the ramp, or even turn it off.
4 cm is often not enough airflow for comfort, and many people feel oxygen-deprived.

[brazospearl]

This panicky feeling is quite common in the early days of therapy. It might be easiest to turn the ramp off. This means your machine would start out at 9; some people do well with this, others don't. If you decide to continue with the ramp, you can move the starting pressure to something closer to 9; I'd try beginning at 7. Most people get no relief at all at a pressure setting of 4, and it makes you feel like you're suffocating, so starting the ramp at a higher pressure can really help with that.

[4kidsmom]

Ok, I investigated a little, and mine does have a flex. I turned it up from 2 to 3 (max). Hopefully, that helps. If not, I will try not using the ramp feature. It's supposed to help me fall asleep, but I wonder if it doing that is making it harder for me to adjust to the higher pressure once it kicks in? We'll see what happens tonight...thanks for all the ideas!

[kteague]

It can take a while for the sleeping brain to trust your new normal. There's several new sensations to get used to, and the not-quite-awake brain can feel pretty alarmed about sensations it is not awake enough to think reasonably about. I'm guessing it won't be long before you're so used to the pressure that you're checking to see if your machine is really on. Till then, continue to seek your personal best experience by asking questions here. There's always a chance your issues are more than simply getting used to the treatment, in which case you do want to be on top of things. Welcome to the board.

[4kidsmom]

Last night was a little better. Only woke up a couple times, and never with that panicky feeling! And yes, I must admit, I did wake up once and check if the machine was still on. Then I proceeded to tell myself I was being silly, and go right back to sleep. So, I guess the 6 months my daddy took to adjust to his machine years ago will not be necessary for me, yay! Thanks for the welcome, and thanks again for all the ideas!

[Sir NoddinOff]

Last night was a little better. Only woke up a couple times, and never with that panicky feeling! And yes, I must admit, I did wake up once and check if the machine was still on. Then I proceeded to tell myself I was being silly, and go right back to sleep. So, I guess the 6 months my daddy took to adjust to his machine years ago will not be necessary for me, yay! Thanks for the welcome, and thanks again for all the ideas!

It's good you stuck it out another night... sad to say, but a lot of people with less 'grit' would have just called it quits with CPAP. Congrats

[4kidsmom]

Less grit...I like that. Sounds a lot nicer than saying I'm too stubborn to quit, which is what my daddy used to tell me. He knew very well that I got it from him, too, haha! It's true though, I'm very stubborn in some ways. Had a panic attack once (during an MRI that took twice as long as it should have with not one word of communication from the guy doing it). But in spite of the panic attack I stuck it out, simply because I'm too bullheaded to have to repeat it later for chickening out now, LOL...I accept that I'm stubborn.

[4kidsmom]

Night 3 done. Played with the settings, and changed the ramp a little. It resulted in me finally not waking up at all overnight! Not even for the restroom! Once I fell asleep, I stayed that way, and I feel okay today! So I think I'll leave the settings as they are for a few days and see if my energy level gets a boost.

[Bons]

" It resulted in me finally not waking up at all overnight! Not even for the restroom!"

That's a good sign that the cpap is doing its job. Frequent need to urinate at night is a symptom of sleep apnea. One more incentive to keep strapping on that mask.

[poppi2]

... Not even for the restroom! ...

This, alone, makes cpap therapy worthwhile.