Claustophobia & Mask Question

[Kairosgrammy]

I'm eligible to get a new mask in February. Right now, I have the swift fx nasal pillows and I really like them. Light, don't take up much room on my face and most importantly, my heart doesn't race and I don't feel like I'm going to crawl out of my skin. My first mask ever, years ago was a nasal mask. I suffered (literally) with it for 3 weeks and was ready to give up cpap entirely. I was more exhausted then I'd been pre cpap.

They asked me at the sleep study if I was claustophobic and I said yes, mildly so. They never even tried me on a different mask besides a nasal one. I really can't believe they even found an appropriate pressure at my second study cuz I never slept and I had ambien on board. Apparently, claustophobia is way stronger than ambien!!! I went back to my local dme who had provided my first cpap and told her what was happening and she said she had just the solution (so why didn't the folks at the lab not have the solution) and she started me on a mask with pillows. Can't remember the name. It was a resmed mask but instead of the soft form of the swift fx, it had a hard tube under the pillows. It was wonderful at the time, they kept me using cpap!!!

Well, fast forward til today. I love my swift fx but because I tend to get congested at night even with increased humidity, I sometimes breathe through my mouth so I have to have a chin strap. I believe it is quite possible to have too much junk on your head. So I've been looking at the hybrid masks llike the mirage liberty. My question is, do you think that the mouth part would trigger claustophobia. Have you tried that as an alternative to other ffm for us claustophobic folks. I look at it and think, that might be doable. It wouldn't block my vision and make me feel closed in but it would solve the mouth breathing problem but I'm afraid to try after 3 weeks with a nasal mask.

An opinion, particularly from another claustophobic individual would be greatly appreciated. Even if you don't use a hybrid, do you think you could wear a hybrid ffm like this: https://www.cpap.com/productpage/mirage ... 7QodNmgo0g

[DocWeezy]

I discovered I had severe claustrophobia when it came to using a cpap machine. It was hell to get used to the mask and I was a confirmed mouth breather. Had panic attacks and everything. Ugh.

HOWEVER, I discovered I could use a hybrid mask....the Liberty didn't work for me, but this one did:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

It saved me because I could breathe through my mouth. I still use this mask when I have congestion and a cold (I have since learned that I CAN breathe through my nose and keep my mouth closed at night so I use a Swift LT as my main mask).

Fortunately, over time the claustrophobic reactions lessened and then went away completely; now my mask and machine are my bedtime comfort routine and I can't sleep without them.

Weezy

[chunkyfrog]

Kg:
Both the Liberty and Innomed hybrid masks are listed in the mask library,
you might have time to trial one before you are due for a new mask--just to narrow your options.

[Julie]

Try decreasing the humidity - it often makes congestion worse, or activates it when there wasn't any to begin with.

[Kairosgrammy]

I saw that one and it's cheaper than the liberty too. I have constant problems with nasal congestions. Once, when I was allergy tested, they said I was allergic to grass, trees, weeds, mold and dust. Pretty much the great outdoors and the the less than great indoors. Worse, I can be fine all day long and as soon as I lay down, there goes the nose. The humidifier is a great help. I think its the nasal congestion that makes me open my mouth but then again, I don't really know. Actually, at my last sleep study was the first I knew about the mouth breathing thing and I didn't feel all that congested.

I discovered I had severe claustrophobia when it came to using a cpap machine. It was hell to get used to the mask and I was a confirmed mouth breather. Had panic attacks and everything. Ugh.

HOWEVER, I discovered I could use a hybrid mask....the Liberty didn't work for me, but this one did:

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/RespCa ... -Mask.html

It saved me because I could breathe through my mouth. I still use this mask when I have congestion and a cold (I have since learned that I CAN breathe through my nose and keep my mouth closed at night so I use a Swift LT as my main mask).

Fortunately, over time the claustrophobic reactions lessened and then went away completely; now my mask and machine are my bedtime comfort routine and I can't sleep without them.

Weezy

[Kairosgrammy]

"Mask Library????

Kg:
Both the Liberty and Innomed hybrid masks are listed in the mask library,
you might have time to trial one before you are due for a new mask--just to narrow your options.

[Kairosgrammy]

Actually, when I increased the humidity the congestion got a lot better. All the weather changes where I am have set me off so I'm really having problems. However, when I did the sleep study, I was fine and I still slept with my mouth open. So even though I feel its nasal congestion it may not be. But something like the liberty might work whether I'm nose breathing or mouth breathing.

Try decreasing the humidity - it often makes congestion worse, or activates it when there wasn't any to begin with.

[Pugsy]

"Mask Library????

Mask trial. You can try a mask for a week. All it costs is mailing which is $7 each way.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html

[Kairosgrammy]

Thanks so much. You're a lifesaver. I signed up. That will definitely give me an idea at low cost.

"Mask Library????

Mask trial. You can try a mask for a week. All it costs is mailing which is $7 each way.
http://www.cpaplibrary.com/mask-trials.html

[Pugsy]

If you don't hear back quickly...Dane doesn't do anything until you are the next in line for the requested mask. He will then send you a bill for mailing when you are next up for a particular mask. He says that some of the most requested masks have a waiting list due to limited supply of a particular mask and the number of requests for it.

[fiberfan]

Worse, I can be fine all day long and as soon as I lay down, there goes the nose.

That sounds like a red flag for a reaction to something in your sleep environment or to something you are exposed to just before you go to bed. Just a thought.

[Kairosgrammy]

That's a possibility. My allergies are always worse later in the evening.

Worse, I can be fine all day long and as soon as I lay down, there goes the nose.

That sounds like a red flag for a reaction to something in your sleep environment or to something you are exposed to just before you go to bed. Just a thought.

[bayourest]

my nasal congestion seems to increase in the evening. at this point I am not sure whether it's really environmental or psychological because I dread the congested feeling and have come to "expect" it. its probably a combination of both. It's hard to figure out why the same environment triggers congestion at night and not in the day time though. but I have had a lot of relief from using Flonase a Rx steroid spray that acts locally over time and really helps. also use a beti pot and saline spray.
Putting a mask on with a stuffy nose makes me impossibly claustrophobic.

[Kairosgrammy]

I do the netti pot right before bed which insures I am clear when I go to sleep. Steroid sprays don't seem to help much although you'd think they would. There chief purpose is to reduce swelling which is probably more responsible for the congested feelings than the congestion itself. Having the humidity up on the cpap also helps. I have it set on 4 of 5. I have had it at 5 and that really kept me clear but then I got so much sinus drainage that I'd wake up coughing a lot. May try upping it again. Wasn't doing the netti back then.

my nasal congestion seems to increase in the evening. at this point I am not sure whether it's really environmental or psychological because I dread the congested feeling and have come to "expect" it. its probably a combination of both. It's hard to figure out why the same environment triggers congestion at night and not in the day time though. but I have had a lot of relief from using Flonase a Rx steroid spray that acts locally over time and really helps. also use a beti pot and saline spray.
Putting a mask on with a stuffy nose makes me impossibly claustrophobic.