Hi! I'm new. I need help

[jenn]

Hi!
Just signed up. I am new to the world of cpap, just starting my 2nd week and I need HELP!
I feel like I am suffocating, wake up in an absolute panic, can't get the mask off fast enough.
I have a nasal mask, not sure what kind. What I am doing wrong. Would truly appreciate
any suggestions. Thanks!

[Pugsy]

Exactly which brand and model machine?
Pressure setting?
Are you using the ramp feature?
Exactly which nasal mask?

Are you okay at the beginning of the night and then wake up later or are you also having trouble at the beginning of the night?

[Julie]

Well we'll try to help but need info - what machine (model) are you using, and mask - get the info from the dealer or MD or wherever - you should know it for future).

Find out your pressure settings (not ramp setting if you're using it) and then let us know all those in this same thread please. Also go to User Ctl Panel under site logo above and fill in your profile once you have the info. and it'll appear under all your notes so we can all know what you're using to help us advise.

[DEXSUZ]

First of all, best of fortunes and may the Lord give you patience to change your life. I have a Quattro FX - the best of many FF masks I tried in the initial stages of using CPAP - and have learned how to succeed and thrive with it after an awful first few weeks several years ago.

I was a lousy sleeper my entire adult life and began CPAP. Right off the bat I had many problems and was frustrated as heck but have found nocturnal bliss as I got used to the gear and the way it works.I've got a simple program that did wonders for my adaptation to assisted sleep. Here it is:

This is the four-step program I devised. I had a tremendous sleep study at the local hospital but ran into a granite roadblock as I attempted to get accustomed to masks on my own. You might want to give this a try:

My main advice is to back away from immediately trying to do all-nighters with your equipment. Use my four-step weekly plan which has worked wonderfully for me:

1) During the first week sit, watch TV, or read with your equipment whirring away next to you. Get accustomed to the sounds, feelings of the moving air, and all the external trappings of the great chance at quality sleep you are nearing. Do NOT go to bed with the equipment.

2) Some time during your second week, take the phone off the hook, draw the shades, evict everyone from the house, don't think about any nearby clock, and loosen your clothing as you lie on your bed in mid-afternoon. Turn on the CPAP gizmo, put the mask on your face, and close your eyes. Think peaceful thoughts, whatever they are to you. At some point in the week you WILL fall asleep. After you have this nap, you'll be amazed at what a refreshing experience it was.

3) During the third week have all your CPAP gear ready for action as you go to bed for the night without it. As you've done so many times throughout the years, you'll awaken far before morning. When you do, slap the mask on your face and turn on the CPAP gear before your groggy brain has any idea what's going on.

4) After successfully completing the first three steps at your pace, decide on a night (mine was March 3rd, 2013) when you have full confidence and will retire for the night WITH your mask on. You'll succeed!

My biggest mistake was expecting everything to go perfectly from the first night. It rarely occurs because the brain must be retrained after all those years of awakening in the middle of the night. One must be patient and keep anxiety as far away as possible. On March 3, 2014 I had a goofy sort of celebration to mark one year of refreshing sleep I never had - over four decades - before 2013.

For decades, a sleep of 7-9 STRAIGHT hours sort was only a dream; now it's a reality. Last night I dozed off at 11 and did not awaken until 7:30 this morning.

Be patient, best of luck, and God bless

[jenn]

I am using the Phillips Dreamscape. Not sure what the mask is called, it is a nasal mask. I will find out all of my info. and post it.
The pressure is set at 5-15. I have difficuly from the time I put the mask on. The tech I contacted suggested to use it while I am awake to get more
adjusted to the feel of the air and to figure out how to adjust my breathing. It seems like the machine wants be to breath faster than my body wants me
to. Not sure how I am suppose to control this while I am sleeping tho. I am a mouth breather when I sleep and also have asthma. I asked the tech if I could
try a full mask, she sent me a chin strap.

[DEXSUZ]

From what you're saying, Jenn, a FF mask would suit you better. I'm a mouth-breather and had zero success with a nasal mask.

In any case, be patient (easier said than done) and let the machine work for you.

[DEXSUZ]

Should you get a Quattro FX full-face mask, you might want to fasten a small chin strap to the bottom of the mask that would keep it from moving up your face when the machine is at full power.

Again, be patient. The machine will breathe with you. No need to feel as if the gizmo is forcing you to inhale/exhale at its own cadence.

[jenn]

Thanks to those who replied. Guess I just really want this to work for me.

[Julie]

You should not try to adjust your breathing to the machine's... it's the other way around. And your min. pressure setting of 5 is very low and can be quite difficult for people to inhale from... it would probably be better if you raised it to 6 for now (and maybe higher later on). Do you have a clinician manual (vs just the one that came with the machine)?

[ChicagoGranny]

It seems like the machine wants be to breath faster than my body wants me
to.

... to figure out how to adjust my breathing

This is a common problem when first starting out. Be assured once you fall asleep, your body can breathe gently and steadily. The machine does not determine the speed at which you breathe. Don't adjust your breathing - just breathe slowly and naturally.

When you first lie down, try to distract your mind from breathing. Your body (autonomous nervous system) knows how to breathe without thinking about it - you've done it all your life. Try to think of something pleasant to distract your mind from breathing. For me, it was lying on a warm beach with a gentle breeze and the sound of the surf.

[MrsRinPDX]

... And your min. pressure setting of 5 is very low and can be quite difficult for people to inhale from... it would probably be better if you raised it to 6 for now (and maybe higher later on)

Julie is right. The low pressure is causing that suffocating feeling. It is a very common problem with new users; don't be alarmed, we can fix that.

[jenn]

Thank you for the suggestions. Gives me something to try.

[USMCVet]

I have same everything as you and same problem. What works best for me is to relax and get into my sleep position. Then i put on mask but breathe through mouth for a bit with machine off. Once I'm comfortable and feeling good then I activate machine by breathing through nose.

[chunkyfrog]

I used the mask to set the stage for a cool sci-fi/space travel fantasy.
Looking forward to an adventure helped me adjust and get to sleep.
Sadly, I cannot recall any awesome dreams.
But that meant I slept well; and that Is OK.

[ChicagoGranny]

I used the mask to set the stage for a cool sci-fi/space travel fantasy.

Are you sure that was just a fantasy?



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