NEED HELP WITH FULL FACE MASK CLAUSTROPHOBIA

[bigblacklexus]

Hello folks. I have a problem that perhaps some of you may be able tpo help me with. I have been on APAP for a little over two years. During those 2 years I have used nasal masks primarily. This past winter I became very congested for 6 days. Needless to say I couldnt use the nasal mask while i was congested. I tried to use an old Full Face mask during those days but it didnt work because that mask made me very claustrophobic and I felt like i was suffocating. I actually stayed up the majority of those 6 days (only 2 hour naps here and there) due to the lack of tolerance that i had to that FF mask. The mask itself was a disposable mask that was given to me when by a hospital that i stayed in a while back and i had never used it because I supplied my own mask when i was in the hospital. My question is have any of you had a very hard time switching to a FF mask after being used to a nasal mask? I am about to order a FF mask ( possible the Mirage Ultra) to keep as a back up in case i ever get severly congested again like i was last winter. Any tips on how to get over the claustrophobia? I never had this type of reaction to the nasal masks. I was refered to a sleep pyscologist but unfortunately she wasnt participating in my insurance network. My insurance network doesnt have sleep pyschologists .I know everyone has thier own mask preferences but if any of you have had to over coming claustrophobia with a full face mask any input you give me will be greatly appreciated. Is there a different way you breathe or was it all mental? Thanks and have a great day.( oh by the way I was told to practice wear the mask while awake and watching tv but that didnt work...I still felt like i was being smothered )

[LinkC]

I've never had that problem, so none of the several FF masks I have are better or worse in that regard...for me.

The Ultra is a good mask, but only you know if it's good for you. I tend to breathe more slowly and deeply when masked, but that's probably due to increased pressure.

But your last statement has merit. I was told to do the same thing "if you have trouble adjusting to wearing a mask". (I didn't.) I think the point is you will gradually become accustomed to it. You don't say how long you tried, just that "it didn't work". The key is you have to MAKE it work...even if it means keeping it on just one more minute longer than the last session. The only other option is to quit therapy during periods of congestion...and you've been there!

Best of luck!

[BlackSpinner]

look for a hypnotherapist that has accreditation. And /or someone who does Neurolingistics programming. Check if they will teach you "self help". Without learning how to do it yourself for your self you are not in control of your healing.
Talk therapy isn't going to help. You need to access your "operating system".

Your mind has many functioning levels and anxiety attacks (claustrophobia) come from a deep down level. You don't need to find the cause to deal with the symptom plus finding the cause doesn't do F.. all to deal with the symptoms. You need to learn how to access and reprogram those levels.

You may need to dig into your pocket for this so get referrals from friends. AND Check if they will teach you "self help". I can't emphasize that too much, it is your mind - you have to take care of the garbage collection.

[harry33]

some cant tollerate FF masks getting panic attacks, etc this isnt unusual

the congestion could be washed out with a netti pot or some other type of sinus irrigation, google this and see whats available

[Wulfman]

lexus,

How is your Auto configured? (pressure settings, ramp, settling, etc.)
If your minimum/starting pressure is set way too low, that could account for the claustrophobic/suffocating/smothered feeling.


Den

[WearyOne]

I thought I would have that problem, with a FF mask that is, because I am claustrophobic. But my problem with with masks that aren't FF!

I will occasionally have a panic issue, maybe once every few months. Someone suggested that I hold my hand in front of the air vents and feel the air blowing out, that that can sometimes calm the fear of suffocating. (I actually fell asleep one time with my hand laying on the pillow in front of the mask air vent.) It works for me, so you might give that a try.

As for congestion, I've been fortunate that so far I haven't had congestion bad enough to cause problems, but I have tried a Netti pot before with light congestion. It works very well for lots of folks, but I can't use it for more than two days straight without getting an earache.

Hope you find something that helps!

Pam

[Muse-Inc]

...look for a hypnotherapist that has accreditation....Check if they will teach you "self help". Without learning how to do it yourself for your self you are not in control of your healing...You need to access your "operating system"...Your mind has many functioning levels and anxiety attacks (claustrophobia) come from a deep down level. You don't need to find the cause to deal with the symptom...You need to learn how to access and reprogram those levels.

BigBlack Lexus, I'm with BlackSpinner on this...ya gotta fix the mindset. In the past, I have used de-sensitization (small exposures increasing over time), mediating before exposure (helped me during the APAP loaner data collection to deal with feelings of suffocation at 4 cmH20), and others including the self-tapping on meridians (EFT?) but sel-hypnosis works the best for long-term behavioral changes. I was trained by a certified hypnotist who taught me the techniques and planted suggestions that I could do this for myself. I too have claustrophobia (even small elevators cause jitters) so I am not sure how I will deal with the Hybrid mask when I get one -- self-hynposis will employed to handle this phobic reaction. The brain is amazing but it can go wonky and these techniques help...a lot.

Good luck!

[bigblacklexus]

thanks a lot all. I will definatley look into hypnosis and re;axation techiques.

[wlenz]

I am watching this topic because I have the same problem. Let us know if you have good or bad results. I purchased an Ultra Mirage FF mask for the exact same reason as you. I have allergies and there are times that I can not use the nasal mask. I am also very claustrophobic and for that reason, have not tried the FF mask, yet. The ramp feature is never used because I had a feeling of suffocation/claustrophobia until the pressure ramped all the way up. I need the full pressure as soon as the nasal mask is put on. I noticed that if the lights were out, and I could not see the mask, that helped reduce the anxiety. I am now used to the nasal mask and no longer have that problem, but it did help in the beginning.
Bill

[track]

Gradually desensitize......Wear the mask around the house or watch tv with it on...no need to tighten it or hook it up to your machine...plenty of breathing space with the hose not hooked up. If you must just fasten the top two straps and hold the bottom with your hand next to your face so it seals. Then attach the bottom straps loosely...so it's easy to pull away or take off. I would think you would reach the point where the mask is no big deal and then you can try hooking the hose on. Experiment with the pressure to see what feels right and get use to that next. When you finally get to the point the mask is no different than wearing a ball cap then hook it up to your hose and sleep.

[Juliebove]

This happened to me at the sleep lab but it wasn't a full face mask. It was a triangle that goes over the nose. She put it on so tightly I couldn't open my mouth, my lips went numb and there was a blood red triangle over my nose when she took it off. It was the most horrible feeling! I felt like I was gasping for breath and hyperventilating. So I feared any mask.

What I was given in the end was a Quattro and I've had no problems with it at all. It just sort of floats over my face.