Was too scared to sleep with CPAP in sleep study

[guthrden]

Hello,

I have only had 2 sleep studies. The first was easy peasy. Found out I do have sleep apnea. Then I had to go back last night and get a CPAP fitting. Well, I was TOO afraid to let myself go to sleep. I kept getting a claustrophobic feeling. As a result they could not get the information they needed. They let me bring the mask home just to wear and get used without the air pressure machine. Has anyone gone through this? Does anyone have any tips that might help next time I go? thanks

[onthefreeway]

I had a similar issue. I had an "in home" sleep study years ago and it showed I had moderate sleep apnea. I got the CPAP machine, but was too scared to use it. I thought I would strangle myself or suffocate in my sleep! So I didn't use it, even though I did half-heartedly try several times. Fast forward a few years…..I had a sleep study at an actual sleep center, which revealed severe sleep apnea. When I returned for the "titration" (where they hook you up to see what pressures work best for you while you sleep), I practically slept like a baby. It was all psychological; the technicians watch you all night long, you are hooked up to a zillion wires and machines, and if you are in distress, they will know.

I hope they provided you with a nasal pillow mask; generally, they are not nearly as claustrophobic-feeling as a full-face or a nasal mask. You can even read or watch TV wearing them. Also, you might want to ask your doc if it would be helpful to have a low dose of ativan or xanax or some comparable drug to just take the edge off the first night or two. Once you fall asleep and stay asleep (for a few hours anyway), then awaken and see you survived, the fear should abate enough for you to fall asleep on your own.

Hang in there!

[Morchella]

I managed to get a couple hours sleep during my titration study, but it was pretty much a trainwreck. I was in tears at one point, I was so stressed out and uncomfortable and frightened. It was so embarrassing.

I felt much more comfortable when I got the equipment home and I could turn it on and off and take off the mask whenever I wanted, without feeling watched and judged by the technicians. I've been sleeping with the CPAP for a little over two weeks now, and even though I've only made it the full eight hours twice so far, it's going much better than anyone who saw my titration study would have expected!

[Julie]

Many people find that wearing a mask while e.g. watching TV (and forgetting the mask) helps a lot.

[englandsf]

Try and get a P10 nail pillow mask to try. Claustrophobia was my problem with a FFM for my first month, but now I'm doing fine.

[itsjustme]

Been there done that. Not that I was scared but I am a very very light sleeper, so naturally being in a different place with all those wires was no fun. I slept so little during my first study that the docs couldn't get enough info for a diagnosis. So they gave me a sleeping pill and we did it all over again, that time they got just enough to confirm a diagnosis. My titration was no fun either, it wasn't that the mask bothered me it was just that I couldn't get to sleep or stay asleep. So I ended up with APAP for several weeks which gave the docs enough data to get the pressure dialed in. Now several months in I am on straight CPAP and having no trouble at all with the equipment. Just hang in there and be persistent and it will pay off. I know you've heard that before but I promise it will happen!

[Gasper62]

I recommend that you try a sleep aid on your next try. Either OTC or Rx. Maybe "experiment" prior to your appt. and see how you do with it. There's no point in going through the motions of a study if you can't actually sleep. (IMO) Good luck.

[Gasper62]

FWIW, nowadays I'm too scared to sleep without my CPAP machine !