First night panic attacks! Not fun!

[cletourn]

Hi all,

I did my first night at home with my new machine last night. Went to bed at 10pm and woke up at 11 with a panic attack. Had to rip the mask off and calm down. I tried again but had an attack again around 12:30 am. Left it off and went to sleep. Woke up around 2am and felt so tired I figured I could sleep through anything so I put it back on. Slept soundly until 5am.

Are panic attacks common? I felt like I could not breathe and was being smothered. Also, my sinuses and nasal passages were stuffed so I am wondering if this had something to do with it. What is the best solution for clearing your sinusus before using the machine? Any help would be appreciated.

[Moon]

From you sleep study, did you have central apneas? or
It may be your apnea was stronger than what you machine was putting out, are you on an auto?

[cletourn]

Hi Moon,

You will have to forgive my ignorance as I am new to all this... I have no idea what central apnea means. My machine is not an auto... it is set to level 9 which the Dr. and respiratory therapist agreed was the correct setting for me.

[sleepinginseattle]

Your experience doesn't surprise me. Many people experience panic their first night with CPAP therapy. And you've already noted that you might be prone to claustrophobia.

There are several techniques for getting more accustomed to CPAP therapy. Why not read up on the subject? Here's a good article, not too long or technical, that addresses just the sort of symptoms you've described. http://www.sleepdoctor.com/CPAP%20Acclimation.pdf

[NightHawkeye]

Congratulations, cletourn, on your first night of CPAP therapy. You've overcome the first major hurdle.

Are panic attacks common?

Yep, folks post about them often enough here. A frequent cause seems to be using C-flex, although in your case your description doesn't seem to match up with C-flex "breath-stacking" induced panic attacks.

I felt like I could not breathe and was being smothered. Also, my sinuses and nasal passages were stuffed so I am wondering if this had something to do with it.

It might be that you've already diagnosed the problem.

What is the best solution for clearing your sinusus before using the machine? Any help would be appreciated.

I used to have to use the Grossan nasal irrigator to clear my sinuses nightly. Other folks use various nasal sprays, etc.

Regards,
Bill

[bluegrassfan]

That is scary...I've had the same experience, only been on the machine about a week...it's slowly getting better. Ck out my post on the 2nd page..can't breathe, on a treadmill. Lots of good answers in there. Mind over matter will sometimes help...when you're short of breath, just relax and breath in slowly. Read...read...read these posts...good luck..bob

[neverbetter]

That happened to me every night my first month or so. I would rip the mask off because I couldn't breathe. Breathing against a moderate to high pressure is very hard, in fact I could only breathe by opening my mouth. I still have trouble. Had it not been for my current mask, a hybrid, which is very easy to breath in and out against the air flow, I would be on bi-pap.

[littlebaddow]

After X years of sleeping without a chunk of plastic strapped to your face and attached to a machine, it's not surprising it may take a while to get used to it

I found snoozing in an armchair for an hour or two in full pap gear helped me to gradually get used to it.

Good luck and please do persevere - it will be worth it.