anxiety???

[gucceegrl_702]

Has anyone else gotten small anxiety attacks when first starting on the cpap machine?
I've gotten a couple the last 2 days.

[AuntieNae]

I most definitely did the night of my first study. It was suppose to be a split study but I "freaked" when they tried to put the mask on. I knew I HAD to go back a second night because of it .. so talk about shaking in my shoes. I went the route of mentally preparing for it. I just kept telling myself the days leading up to it that I NEED to do this, I WANT to feel better, I CAN do it .. etc. And, I "survived"!

The first few nights with the machine at home, I hooked up early using the ramp feature and watched TV in bed. It gave me the time to "adjust" when I was fully awake. I am enjoying the pur-sleep products now and change the scents daily to give myself something to look forward to.

Hang in there!

[kteague]

Are the spells of anxiety only while you are using the cpap or at other times also? And are they new or something that has happened in the past?

[silver123]

I had a bit of anxiety but mostly a lot of curiousity and anticpation. Be clear with yourself about what it is exactly that makes you anxious? The mask, the machine, having to do this for the rest of your life? What is it that you are thinking and feeling that creates the anxiety. Whatever it is, think it through and look at counter messages do decrease the anxiety effect. You do this one night at a time and learn as you go.

One thing you could try is to simply "practice" using the machine. Set it up and put on the mask, turn on the machine while you are are awake, just practice, knowing you can take it off in a second. Lie down, change positions, breathe normally and just relax, read, watch TV, pet the cat (well, maybe not cause the Darth Vader breathing does not attract them but if it does make sure you put the mask and hose where those curious little claws and fangs cannot harm your equipment , maybe take a nap.

Reinforce to yourself that you are making a choice to take care of yourself. Look at anything that will make you more comfortable and reinforce using the equipment nightly. Remind your self that this is a learning process.

Use a simple reinforcing statement, maybe one that makes you smile." My mask is my friend, my CPAP machine is my friend" or something else. Humor always helps.

And post here about your experiences. Get some support from the people in your life.

silver

[Songbird]

Absolutely. I'm just a tad claustrophobic, and there were nights when I woke up with what I suppose were mild anxiety attacks. At least for me, they didn't last very long. If you haven't had them before (i.e., if something else isn't also going on), it'll probably be the same for you. It's a very common reaction at first. Hang in there... it'll get better.

You'd be doing yourself a great favor by becoming a regular here. This is a support group extraordinaire. No one else understands what we go through, and so many who've traveled farther down the road are incredibly willing and very able to help. As it says at the bottom of every screen, no one is suggesting that the opinions and suggestions offered here should replace sound medical advice; but there's much to be learned from the voices of wisdom and experience. There are no dumb questions, and someone here will probably know the answer to any of yours or at least point you in the right direction. And if you decide to stop in on any kind of regular basis, fill out as much info in Control Panel as you're comfy with, but definitely fill in the various elements of your equipment (Control Panel --> Profile --> Edit equipment). When we have questions about what's going on with our therapy, those who are attempting to answer them need that information.

Marsha

[MichelleFL]

Count me in on this one.. Had a bad experience when I had eye surgery at 10 years old and have hated masks since. Even for my 3 other surgeries as an adult I freak when that mask comes close. Good thing your out like a light real quick! But when I had my titration done they suggested I try the mask you see on my profile. I was so nervous and as the other said, shaking in my boots, my mind was racing and screaming.. I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS! But I persisted and it was not as bad as I thought it was going to be..

[Allan-Dallas]

YES! I had a major panic attack a few weeks after starting CPAP. The attack happened when I was not using CPAP (during the day), and I had several attacks over the course of months after the first one. Never had experienced anything like that before and I have to think it was associated with the CPAP. I think it was due to getting worse sleep using CPAP.

[danibm]

yes! very much so, & the episodes of waking up gasping seem worse.
is that due to anxiety?