Thought I was getting better at it (SET BACK)

[greenham]

But alas I am NOT.

I have been trying to get used to the feeling of the system for 5 nights. After a terrible experience with my sleep study (suffocation anxiety) I thought it would be better once I got home w/ my own gear.

Started slowly per the advice of this forum. 1 hrs night 1, 2 1/2 hrs on the second night, and almost 4 hrs the 3rd night. So last night I was very tired from a stressful week at work and late nights at the office. Even took a little extra help (Xanex) to know the edge off.

I had some rain out on day 3 so I even cut up some old athletic soxs to make a temporary hose cover.

Layed down masked up, fired up the machine, and promptly had the panic attack. Up and down for the next several hrs, each time the anxiety came back first thing into my mind. I had to take it off. I was pissed but wanted sleep. Work 4 hrs later and tried again to wear the mask. Nothing doing.

I was so hopeful that I was moving forward, and just getting used to the feeling of all that STUFF in my head and face, but it was as bad as the night of the sleep study.

While not giving up, it is getting discouraging not even being able to wear the equipment, much less feel better from the therapy.

[cookie246]

I do not like to have my face covered. The night i had my cpap study done, the technician let me try on three kinds and i walked around with them on to see how i felt with them. I ended up with the swift nasal pillows and dont feel at all smothered or closed in. I am glad I had the chance to play with other masks that night.

Could check out other masks.

Good luck!

Cookie

[bdp522]

Maybe if you try wearing the mask while you're awake. Watch tv, read, walk around. Just get used to the mask. Then try wearing it while awake with the cpap attached and turned on. When you get comfortable enough with it this way, then try to sleep with it on.

Brenda

[TheOboeNose]

Oh how I feel your pain. At least you are understand why you are panicking. I on the other hand, had a duh moment. It took nearly three weeks of waking up in the middle of night and tossing the mask (the various incarnation of it.. I went through 4 before finding something I could work with) of in claustrophobic attacks, only I half the time didnt remember even doing it. I only knew I was waking up with the mask in the floor.
Best counsel? Desensitizing like the other good folks have recommended is good, and talking to your tech and docs too is a good idea. I ended up with a nasal pillow system because we all started talking to each other and figured out that I have ... issues with being restrained and wearing all the straps that came with a full face mask, and various nasal masks means lots of strappage, which to my sleeping mind translated to being tied down, and meant I was coming unglued.
The frustration and aggravation is real. I averaged only about 3 hours a night the first couple of weeks while we figured it all out. In that time I got severely annoyed with the whole process. My father has used a CPAP for 15 years (you should have seen his first machine!!) my brother for 11. I thought it was going to be Plug N Play for me. Instant cure. Nope. And its still not perfect: I have a mouth breathing issue, which was why I was in a FF to begin with. Another adjustment after I thought Id found the magic cure with my last mask. Yes, I no longer have nearly the problems with claustrophobia and leaks, but once I got comfortable with my mask I began relaxing and my family often complains they have a vacuum cleaner running all night long.
Think you'll find a sense of humor in this mess too. Hang in there. You might check out some of Mike Moran's CPAP humor he posts here if you are feeling to dragged down. And remember, as much as I wanted it to be (and Im sure many of us) this marvel of technology is not the Magic Wand that cures it all instantly.

[roster]

greenham:

That's good advice from bdp522 to "practice" wearing the mask while you are awake. Also, try taking the Xanax about three hours before bedtime so that you have a couple hours of relaxation before bed.

It helps if you spend the last hour or so before bedtime doing something very quiet and relaxing. I like to watch tv but let's face it, besides "Sunrise Earth" on DiscoveryHD, there is not much relaxing on tv. Reading or working crosswords works better for me.

Since you started out on a FF mask I assume your sleep study showed you mouth breathe or mouth leak and should stay with a FF mask. The Hybrid FF mask is the least "confining-feeling" FF mask. It greatly reduces the claustrophobic feeling for me.

rooster

[kavanaugh1950]

try putting the mask on and taking 5 or 6 deep breaths while just holding the mask on. also if you are using the ramp feature make sure its not starting at 4 or 5 thats low and many people like myself feel like they are suffocating at that pressure setting. hang in there, don't give up and good luck. pat