HELP! Get too hot, claustrophobic, rip it off after 1 1/2 hr

dawill4 · Post by **dawill4** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:25 pm

Hi,
I just got an CPAP with nose mask. They set it at 10.
I've tried it 3 times now and each time it feels like a wind tunnel, and as soon as I lay down I either start a hotflash because I feel like I'm suffocating or I go to sleep for maybe 1 1/2 hours and wake up with a hotflash and feeling like I'm suffocating.

There has to be something better out there than this?? At this point I'd rather have sleep apnea!

What is the least obtrusive nose mask and maybe device I can try?
Can I buy it with out a DR's perspription or health coverage if I want?

Lord knows the DR doesn't care. Hasn't even talked to me about it. Pushes me in and out of the office and what I have learned I've learned from the internet.

I cannot beleive in the 21st century we have such a god awful contraption.
Did anyone ever think of menopausal women when they came up with this contraption?

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks,
DAW

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:33 pm

If you're using a heated humidifier, try turning your heat setting to "OFF".

It would help a great deal if you'd fill in your profile and list the exact equipment you have (brand/model). If they gave you the cheapest equipment (which is typical), that may be a contributor to your feelings. Does your CPAP have some sort of exhale relief? (EPR or C-Flex)

Welcome to the forum.

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 12:34 pm

Wind Tunnel: Close your mouth before you put it on. Keep your mouth closed.

Set at 10: See if your machine has a ramp feature that you can use.

Hotflash/suffocating: Probably anxiety. If you close your mouth, does it feel less like suffocating? I have mine set on 10, and I have absolutely no trouble with it until I open my mouth.

Purchasing a new mask: Everyone has a different view of which is best. You might want to go to a medical supply place first and ask if you can try out a few masks to see what suits you.

It will be cheaper to buy it online. You do not need a prescription. You can buy it without health insurance. Your insurance company is unlikely to buy you another mask so soon, anyway, though perhaps you should inquire about exchanging it.

Good luck. The best thing I did to get used to it was not allow any negative thoughts about CPAP in the months leading up to using it. Each time I started to dread it, I corrected my thoughts. By the time I had to start using it each night, I was pretty well over the negative thoughts.

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:26 pm

The right mask is the key and that is the hardest part. As for hot flashes, my wonderful doc suggested to try BLACK COHOSH as I do not want to use any hormones. It may take a couple of weeks for it to kick in, but I have actually seen a dramatic drop in hot flashes during the day and also have very few at night anymore. Good luck, you need to hang in there for your own health.

Brooke

BarryKaraoke · Post by **BarryKaraoke** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:46 pm

dawill4 wrote:as soon as I lay down I either start a hotflash because I feel like I'm suffocating or I go to sleep for maybe 1 1/2 hours and wake up with a hotflash and feeling like I'm suffocating.

Your quote "god awful machine" speaks volumes.

RELAX. It isn't the end of the world...you aren't paralyzed for life in a wheelchair or trying out artificial limbs here...it's just air. The sensation you have of suffocating is just that...a sensation. The machines always "blow", so there is always more air than you need. When you have that feeling...just take a deep breath. It will help condition you that you really are not out of air.

Attitude is 90% of the battle and there are plenty of people here to help that have gone before you! Hang in there!

dawill4 · Post by **dawill4** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 1:57 pm

Thank you Den, Guest and Bap40

I think it is an mseries with a humidifer and c-flex.

The hotflash is partly anxiety after 3 tries, that can trigger them but I'm fine when I fisrt put it on, it's after I go to sleep.

I don't think there is a heater with the humidifier but I'll look. Certainly the HD from Apria didn't indicate that could be a problem.

I left the mask loose once because it's soo much air blasting at me at 10. That didn't really help either.

I'd really like a smaller less obtrusive nose mask.

I'm going to try the black cohosh again although they say Flax works better. However I haven't had a hotflash at night in over a year, Not until I was wearing the mask and asleep. THat's what makes me think it's not anxiety.

Last night I didn't even try. I actually slept ok.

Have you guys found that this really has made a difference in how you feel

goodmart · Post by **goodmart** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:37 pm

You may have an option with Apria, as I did with my DME, to "exchange" out my mask during the 1st 30 days. What this really meant for me since they really don't want my old mask back is that I get to have a 2nd one. So get your Swift Nasal II or whatever nasal pillow you want to try and then you have 1 of each. Some times I wear the mask, some times I wear the nasal pillow. It depends on how stuffed up I am, how much my nose is irritated with the mask, and how much my nose is irritated with the nasal pillow. I do rely on that ramp up intitially but I imagine after a while I will get more used to the full volume. But do check as each DME is different.

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:53 pm

dawill4 wrote:Thank you Den, Guest and Bap40

I think it is an mseries with a humidifer and c-flex.

The hotflash is partly anxiety after 3 tries, that can trigger them but I'm fine when I fisrt put it on, it's after I go to sleep.

I don't think there is a heater with the humidifier but I'll look. Certainly the HD from Apria didn't indicate that could be a problem.

I left the mask loose once because it's soo much air blasting at me at 10. That didn't really help either.

I'd really like a smaller less obtrusive nose mask.

I'm going to try the black cohosh again although they say Flax works better. However I haven't had a hotflash at night in over a year, Not until I was wearing the mask and asleep. THat's what makes me think it's not anxiety.

Last night I didn't even try. I actually slept ok.

Have you guys found that this really has made a difference in how you feel

If it's an M Series, does it look like any of the images in this link? (top or bottom of that page)

https://www.cpap.com/productpage-bundle ... undle.html

If there's a "dial" on it, that's the humidifier control knob.

Hang in there. We'll get you "educated". There's a learning curve, but after you get going, it'll probably be life-changing.

Did you mean in your post that you didn't use it at all last night?

After a relatively short time, I found that I can't sleep in bed without it. I wouldn't want to go back to the way I felt before I started.

Den

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:47 pm

It might help you get past the anxiety if you wore the mask while awake. Try reading or watching tv. It will help take your mind off the mask and machine. This should help you get more comfortable with it more quickly. If you can only stand 15 minutes the first time, fine. Try for 20 the next, then 30, etc. It takes time to adjust to all of this. Some adjust quicker than others.

Brenda

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:00 pm

Hang in there as it does get better!!!

No way would I want to go to sleep without my machine and mask now!! It hasn't cured me of all of my health problems, that may have been aggravated in large part to undiagnosed sleep apnea for years, but do feel that my quality of life has definitely taken a turn for the better!!

Please let us know the complete name of your machine. It should be written on the top. If you have an M series you humidifier is in all likely hood heated. Try turning it down as Den suggested. I do not like the warm air and it makes me feel like I am smoothering somewhat. I have the Fisher and Paykel humidifier and do NOT use the heat. It does put out more humidity than the M series that does help me with sinus issues I have.

Please read the yellow lightbulb and the red question mark above for answers to many common complaints and questions.

Good luck and hang in there!!

track · Post by **track** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:32 pm

Break yourself in gradually if you are having anxiety attacks. Sit up and watch your favorite TV show in the bedroom with your mask on and your machine running. Most likely after awhile you will forget you have it on. Baby steps at first if you must, but never quit. Rome wasn't built in a day as the saying goes. Over time it will be as natural as sleeping with a pillow.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:48 pm

Have you guys found that this really has made a difference in how you feel

Yes.

viewtopic.php?p=252384#252384

bap40 · Post by **bap40** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:10 pm

Yes again. I have only been on the machine for just over 2 months and at first did not notice a difference, but after changing machines and tweaking settings, I most assuredly FEEL much better. Maybe it might be better to say that I didn't realize how it felt to be normal after being so not normal for so long. I just didn't realize it until I did start to feel better. Does that make some sense? I also can't sleep without it anymore.
So please hang in there and sooner or later it will dawn on you that you actually are starting to feel better.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 11:58 pm

Wow - as if adjusting to using a cpap and mask weren't enough, gotta add hot flashes to the mix. I was past that when I started on cpap, but I've had a couple ventures into sleep and heat while on cpap. I was started on a med that caused hot flashes, and last summer I moved to where I didn't have air conditioning to sleep by.

Since these "overheatings" happened while asleep and I couldn't prevent them, what I had to do was not fight to go back asleep, but throw off the covers, take off the mask, cool off, then in a few minutes started over. I lost less time that way than lying there miserable. Sometimes I'd be so desperate to cool off fast I'd stick my head in the freezer. If you wake up desperate to cool off quick, maybe keep a frozen gelpack in a thermal lunchbag available by the bed to expedite the process if needed.

I was a very later bloomer in adjusting to this treatment, but I had no choice but to persevere. My biggest regret is not figuring out how to make it work before my health deteriorated so badly. A few months of fighting with masks and pressure issues, a few more months of giving up completely, then my body and mind crashed and burned. That's when I found my way here, and the good folks here encouraged me that I could do this. To say it was do or die is not just an expression. Can't say exactly when it happened, but there came a time when I could say "Hey, I'm doing this!" Haven't looked back, and while there are occasional rough nights, it's all so "normal" to me now.

Has it made a difference in how I feel? Well, my health is still poor, but I am no longer surprised when I wake up each morning, and I don't start each day wondering if this will be my last. That's pretty big to me.

Hang in there. (That's more than just an expression too.)

Kathy

jomac30 · Post by **jomac30** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 4:37 pm

I was actually looking forward to sleeping with a mask. I told myself how much better my life would be if I got a good night's sleep. Now I can't even tell if its on. If you get too hot, turn on a fan and the breeze will help.
Good luck and think positive.

HELP! Get too hot, claustrophobic, rip it off after 1 1/2 hr

HELP! Get too hot, claustrophobic, rip it off after 1 1/2 hr

Re: HELP! Get too hot, claustrophobic, rip it off after 1 1/

Hot flashes and claustrophobia

Mask

Additional Comments: Strictly a side sleeper