clastrophobia and the mask

[mdube]

I am 68 and have just been told I have sleep apnea and will need a mask, I have diffculty with anything over my mouth and nose, I get this horrible feeling that I can not breath, I can not even wear anything around my throat, it feels like I am being strangled, has anyone gone thru anything simular, how long does it take to get comfortable with it?

[Autopapdude]

If you can use it successfully, and at your pressure setting, nasal pillows are the least claustrophobic set up.

[jdm5]

mdube,

I hear you - the night I went for my sleep study with the mask I panicked when they put it on me - even before the CPAP machine was hooked up to it. I wasn't able to scuba dive for the same reason.

I had asked for a sleeping pill for the sleep study, and also had prescription anxiety medication. Those helped, and I was eventually able to relax and apparently sleep some. I woke up feeling more rested than I had in YEARS - even with the mask on, wired up for the study, in a strange bed.

Autopapdude is right - I now use the Mirage Swift LT nasal pillows and am fine with them...it's not nearly as overwhelming as a nasal (or worst full face mask). The first week or so was hard to get used to, but knowing how improved I've been using CPAP it is TOTALLY worth it. I'm only 3 or so weeks into my journey, but every night I now look forward to putting this stuff on knowing I'll wake up feeling great.

I'm suffering through a cold, and did get a full face mask (since my nose is clogged) - I haven't been able to sleep the night through with it. But I can say my claustrophobia/fear has greatly diminished - I'm able to put it on and try to sleep with it, I'm just not comfortable (different than the panic/fear I had with just the nasal mask). I should probably try a Mirage Liberty or the Hybrid masks, or a different full face mask.

Ask for a nasal pillow in some form (the Swift LT, Opus 360, or others are available - check out our host https://www.cpap.com and look at the pictures).

Hang in there - you'll get through it and hopefully find that it's worth it!

[mars]

I am 68 and have just been told I have sleep apnea and will need a mask, I have diffculty with anything over my mouth and nose, I get this horrible feeling that I can not breath, I can not even wear anything around my throat, it feels like I am being strangled, has anyone gone thru anything simular, how long does it take to get comfortable with it?

Hi mdube

You will find a lot of help on this thread -

search.php?keywords=claustrophobia

However, to go off on a completely different angle, what you say sounds as though it might, I repeat might, be a symptom of post traumatic stress disorder. Perhaps, and I repeat, perhaps, something has happened in the past that gives you this difficulty.

Regardless, you can get technical and emotional help on this forum when you get the mask. In the meantime, consider desensetisation exercises. Consider contacting a therapist who can teach you.

And try to get a data capable machine. The suggestion by Autopapdude is a good one, certainly worth trying. See how you go when trying out masks.

One way or another, this problem must be resolved.

Good Luck

Mars

[Autopapdude]

Mars is absolutely right--a data capable machine is essential. Also, some people benefit from treatment for anxiety/panic disorer as an ancillary to Cpap therapy.

[raggedykat]

mdube - I felt the same way as you are feeling when I found out that I needed cpap therapy. That I would never be able to use a mask because of clastrophobia. I got my equipment the end of August and it has turned out to be totally different than I expected. The feeling of clastrophobia was not there, I think because it was so easy to breathe. It is so hard to put into words. Now when I get tired I think about putting my mask on and taking those deep breaths and falling asleep so easily. It is almost like sleeping was painful before cpap and now it isn't. This probably doesn't make much sense to you but give it a chance. It really isn't as bad as it seems. And if you read some of my first posts you can see that I was ready to quit before I even started.

[Country4ever]

Hi mdude,
I think alot of people feel the way you do. I know I did. I went with a nasal pillow, rather than a full face mask, which helped, but I do need to tape my mouth shut to keep from leaking. Here's what I suggest: Try wearing the mask and using the machine while you're sitting up watching TV, or reading. Just try 15 minutes. Then the next day, try 1/2 hour. This makes it less scary to try during the night. It may take you several weeks of getting used to it. You may pull it off early in the night. That's okay. Just continue to try.
I think one thing that really helps us get over the claustrophobic feeling (besides just getting used to it), is feeling better because we're using the cpap. Once you see there's a definite reward for wearing it, you won't fight it as much.
But take it slow if you need to. Try to see it as a friend, not an enemy.
Good luck!

[rickskids]

I had the same problem when I started just three weeks ago. Apparently I breath through my mouth while sleeping...I snore like a chainsaw or I mean I used to snore. I tried several fullface masks but was so upset having a mask over my face I could not get any sleep. My DME suggested the Mirage Liberty which worked extremely well. It is configured with nasal pillows and a small mouth mask that leaves most of your face uncovered. Within days I was well on my way to full compliance and I have not looked back. Good luck!

[Muse-Inc]

I too have claustrophia and started with the OptiLife mask, it's about as minimal a mask as there is...Nasal Aire II is the least but noisier.

...can not even wear anything around my throat, it feels like I am being strangled

When my thyroid system is not working right (acts wonky periodically, then behaves then goes wonky again, repeats every few yrs, not working again right now...docs have no idea why), I cannot abide anything on or around the front of my throat...same feeling as you report -- suffocation. I wear scarves and sweaters but none that touch the front of my throat. Mom is the same way and has had that same feeling for the past 20 yrs or so since diagnosed as hypothyroid. Might have your thyroid checked out: TSH, thyroid antibodies, free T3, free T4.

[qjosea]

Hi, I have been cluasterfobic for as long as I can remember. It is so bad that untli a couple of years ago I would walk up the stairs instead of taking the elavator. I would not even go on rides at the amusement park because they wanted to strap me in, tight. I belive it would have been better holding on for dear life. Only a nut or someone suffering from clausterfobia would think like that, right. . Well, I'm more practical when it came to cpap. I fought it for about a month on and off. Until one night I fell asleep, the next day I woke a person full of energy and ready to go. I can say that it's been a long time since I've felt Like that. Now I look forward to going to bed becuase when I wake I feel like the energizer bunny. It take time as many will attest in this forum. Just keep reading the post and you will see, just as I did your not the only one with clauseterfobia. Your health is more important than anything your brian will make you belive. (CLAUSETERFOBIA

[Dave LL]

You should check out CPAP-PRO, the nasal pillows are anchored to a mouth piece(a lot like a sports mouthguard) so all you have to do is sleep with your mouth closed or your tongue on the roof of your mouth. No straps-no trapped feeling or claustrophobia. A 2 second remove or reinstall for phone calls, bathroom breaks etc. I have used one for about 2.5 years on a resmed autoset vantage and recently on the autoset II

[TWW]

Short description of my first study two years ago: the tech didn't give a rat's patootie about my anxiety, until my sweat prevented proper wiring. The sleep study was a bust, and I waited two years until I tried it again (with a different doctor and sleep center).

Back to the present.

I had claustrophobia bad enough that we had to take a break just wiring me up for the study, let alone the hose-on-the-face trick. I nearly fainted. Fortunately, I had a very good sleep center and an excellent technician. He got a fan for me, waited for me to calm down, and then we talked about musical instruments for a bit while he finished wiring me. Call that Good Thing #1.

I also experienced claustrophobia big-time the next morning when we tried masks and machines. Being a mouth breather, I could not afford the luxury of a nose or pillow mask. I was given three or four full-face masks to play with, no machine attached, just to seek comfort.

Good Thing #2: they allowed me to control the masks. We didn't even worry -- yet -- about proper fitting. Just letting me keep control, which helped a lot.

So we hooked the mask up to a CPAP machine, and I (internally) freaked out a bit, because I could not breathe out.

Good Thing #3: They said "Let's go with a ramping BiPAP machine, and find a nice low exhalation pressure." Worked like a charm.

Moral of the story: If you get a good sleep center, tech, doctor, PA, and throw in another good tech on the day shift, they will work with you. And if they don't, find another.