HELP- NEW CPAP User Breathing Problems-Claustro Issue

[archer804a]

Hi All and Thanks in advance for your time and advice....I suffer from Claustrophobia but am trying to learn to tolerate my new CPAP Respironics DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask as it was mostly the only type of low facial impact mask that I could tolerate.

I have a RESMED 10 and trying it for my first night last night I found the hardest part to keep from panic/claustro or uncomfortable feeling (even at 5 the lowest setting) was the repeating rhythm/pressure feeling of the blowing in air which was made me fight to breath regularly. I almost felt like I was hyperventilating trying to breathe out and keep up with the rhythm of the CPAP blowing air in.

Am I seeing/using the CPAP right? I.e. is the machine suppose to control how I breathe? or should I just try to continue to breathe as I always have before the use of the CPAP. If breathe same as before the CPAP how do you do that as it seems if I try to breathe out when the CPAP is pushing air in I am fighting the machine and Panic sets in....

Any tricks or tips would be greatly appreciated......I have read a lot about practicing and also around using the Ramp Features on machines but how can the ramp features help if I cannot even tolerate the lowest "5" setting which seems to cause issues around me fighting to breathe?

Thanks!
Archer

[Julie]

First - the machine adjusts to your breathing, not the other way around.

Second - don't overtighten the mask at any time because it's counterproductive, and if you find it leaky if looser, get another size, fitting or mask - there are lots out there.

Third - many find that if they wear the mask (alone) while watching TV, etc. in the daytime, it's much easier to adjust at bedtime.

[archer804a]

Thanks for the reply I will try some of your suggestions

[Goofproof]

First - the machine adjusts to your breathing, not the other way around.

Second - don't overtighten the mask at any time because it's counterproductive, and if you find it leaky if looser, get another size, fitting or mask - there are lots out there.

Third - many find that if they wear the mask (alone) while watching TV, etc. in the daytime, it's much easier to adjust at bedtime.

USE ONLY WITH THE XPAP RUNNING..... Jim

[USMCVet]

Don't give up. It will become second nature in no time if you stick with it.

[zonker]

Hi All and Thanks in advance for your time and advice....I suffer from Claustrophobia but am trying to learn to tolerate my new CPAP Respironics DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask as it was mostly the only type of low facial impact mask that I could tolerate.

I have a RESMED 10 and trying it for my first night last night I found the hardest part to keep from panic/claustro or uncomfortable feeling (even at 5 the lowest setting) was the repeating rhythm/pressure feeling of the blowing in air which was made me fight to breath regularly. I almost felt like I was hyperventilating trying to breathe out and keep up with the rhythm of the CPAP blowing air in.

Am I seeing/using the CPAP right? I.e. is the machine suppose to control how I breathe? or should I just try to continue to breathe as I always have before the use of the CPAP. If breathe same as before the CPAP how do you do that as it seems if I try to breathe out when the CPAP is pushing air in I am fighting the machine and Panic sets in....

Any tricks or tips would be greatly appreciated......I have read a lot about practicing and also around using the Ramp Features on machines but how can the ramp features help if I cannot even tolerate the lowest "5" setting which seems to cause issues around me fighting to breathe?

Thanks!
Archer

first of all, spot on to everything julie said.

i specifically want to underscore wearing the mask while not in bed.

having this alien on your face is quite possibly the hardest thing to get used to, in my humble opinion. give it some time. a vast majority of us do NOT get used to this straight away.

but be aware that you CAN do this. and soon, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about!

[facemir]

I agree with the others, getting used to the mask is much easier as time goes by. You have to persevere with it.

[archer804a]

Thank you all for your replies it is hard especially for someone with heavy claustrophobia issues.....its very nice to see your encouragements! I am using trying a Respironics DreamWear Nasal CPAP Mask which goes under the nose but am having a hard time getting the CPAP to register it as a good (Green indicator) seal


If I tighten the mask, I get a green indicated seal, but it feels uncomfortable and it triggers my claustro....I alternatively tried the ResMed AirFit P10 Nose pillows but they also trigger my claustro when on my face. I think they are more the feeling of something being inside my face versus on my
face like eyeglasses I wear.

I am going to list a separate thread on here to ask people suffering from Claustro what they have used successfully or worked through using as much of the adapting on my part may also be the overcoming my claustro as well as the getting used to the machine and having something on my face while sleeping.

Again it is very heartening though to get these messages from you guys of encouragement!! Many Thanks!

-Archer

[DavidY]

Is your claustrophobia related to the hoses on both cheeks? Personally, I don't like having headgear over my nose and forehead like the Eson2, but it works well and I tolerate it for a few days to a week or so. Then I switch to another mask that is less evasive like the Wisp or the Dreamwear with cushion. Each mask has its pros and cons.

Read good things about the Dreamweaver Elan which looks like a surgical mask and is made of cloth.

Good luck.

Dave

[Julie]

Hard to recommend masks for others - bone structure etc. being so different for all and how things fit when lying down, with which bed pillows and any other issues people have. Trying them for at least a few days is a good idea, and Cpap.com lets you do that for longer, usually for a small insce fee, but it's worth it.

What fixes have you actually tried for your claustrophobia (with or without Cpap)?

[TBonz]

I had it so bad that I had to get meds to calm me. I was having something like panic attacks when using the CPAP (nasal pillow). The pill helps so that I'm mostly calm.

I still hate it. I call the CPAP a "facehugger." I feel like it's suffocating me.

[chunkyfrog]

You did not mention that you are a nudist;
so I gather you do wear clothes.
Think of the mask as another garment.
Adjust it so that it is comfortable.
If it feels tight, you need to loosen it up.
Air pressure helps it fit.

[Julie]

There are many ways to address claustrophobia besides drugs... have you looked into any of those?

And possibly into dealing with what seems to be a lot of anger?

[Coffee Man]

If I tighten the mask, I get a green indicated seal, but it feels uncomfortable and it triggers my claustro

Are you running the Mask Fit feature to determine your seal, or using it at your pressures to see your seal? The Mask Fit feature on the AirSense blasts pressure way above what I would ever need. But, you may need a really tight seal, uncomfortablely tight, to pass the Mask Fit test. You only need a good enough seal to work at your pressures, how are you testing the seal?