Awful night last night..need encouragement :)

[Dreamingofsleep]

Hi everyone,

I have been on CPAP about two weeks. Last night was awful. I couldn't sleep (partly due to a tough day at work), and even though I had been able to get fairly comfortable on side before, just couldn't seem to manage it. I felt so bad that I didn't go to work today. I tried to go back to bed for a nap, and kept feeling like I couldn't get enough air...kind of smothery...So I went to RT and she said that she thinks its just anxiety and that I am not even really sleeping deeply in the night because my subconscietious in anxious. Can this be? I admit I feel scared when I feel smothery and as I shared before have been struggling now with mouth coming open and chipmunk cheeks. Also I wasn't feeling that smothery thing so much before, but did today. I am struggling with sinus, but can breathe through my nose with lots of saline spray.

I did try wrapping my jaw closed ...but didn't like the fabric (used a kind of "ace" type bandaging that is tacky and a bit sticky)...found it uncomfortable and took it off. I also taped mouth but really not comfy with that. I did get an official chin strap that I will try tonight. I admit I worried that if I used strap..I may not get enough oxygen if my body needed to breathe out of mouth. The RT says this will not happen...

LOL I admit I sound like a nut, but so be it. Any reassurances are welcome. I really hate to go to full face mask and want to hang in a while longer on the nasal pillows.


Thanks so much,
Dreaming

[Pugsy]

Yes, anxiety can sure play tricks on you. You aren't the first and you won't be the last. No, you won't suffocate but it can feel like it between nerves and maybe lower pressure.

What pressure do you start the night out with? Are you using the ramp? If so for how long?

[jdm2857]

Would you consider asking you doctor for a prescription for something to either help you sleep or relieve your anxiety?

Just as a short-term aid for your transition to CPAP.

[Dreamingofsleep]

Thanks for your replies. I am using ramp, it starts I believe at around 7 and auto goes to 15, which I never come close to. Average pressure seems to be around 8.5.

I do have Ambien..guess I should take it again. I was trying not to take too often. If I can feel "safe" lol with chin straps, etc I can take again. Didn't like it because i don't have memory for stuff .. like how I took mask off and woke up with it on bed, lol. Also, I feel a little bit foggy next day...but probably that would not be as bad as not sleeping

[eeckel]

Hang in there! It gets easier as it becomes familiar. Keep posting and know we are rooting for you.

[Dreamingofsleep]

Thanks eeckel

[Sheriff Buford]

Keep going! It won't be long that you won't even notice you are wearing a mask and the thought of not wearing one will horrify you. That being said, cpap therapy is not the end of having bad nights. I have them and everyone else does too. Keep going.... onward thru the fog!! Best of luck.... Sheriff

[Dreamingofsleep]

Thanks, Sheriff. I sure hope the bad nights become rare though and not common. That's the main .reason I started this whole thing...I long to sleep well and feel good

[Sir NoddinOff]

I think everyone has basically covered the technical and psychological aspects regarding your case. All I can add is that CPAP, like most other medical issues, has its ups and downs. You have to get a mindset in place that lets you rise above your problems, discover solutions and remain committed to your therapy. The fact that you found CPAPtalk, express your concerns well and seem solution oriented speaks well for your prospects of success.

[Dreamingofsleep]

Sir Nod,
Thanks so much! I do look forward to a time when this is not a big focus in my life; to where it is just a normal part of my day
I hope that is truly doable

[quietmorning]

One of the things I remind my kids is that any time they start something new, it's like learning to drive a car, you think about every little teeny tiny detail, grit your teeth and stress.

And then there's a transfer of braincells that happen and suddenly you do it without thought - but that learning curve is a bugger.

You are on the right track, as uncomfortable as it is. You'll find that sooner than later, daily stress won't have as much of an effect on the cpap routine. . ..it may well effect your sleep, but at least the cpap stuff will be well honed and easily ignored.

Think of all the rights of passage you went through in becoming an adult. . .and the time and effort it took to get there. But you got there. You'll get here too - though I'm not so sure I'd want to make this a right of passage.

[Chikorita]

I haven't got an offer of advice but sympathy is coming your way. It is an awful feeling and makes the days so much harder to cope with. Hang in there. Things will get better and people on here are so patient and knowledgeable that even though things are tough they make it easier. Hope you get some rest soon.

[HoseCrusher]

Hang in there!!!

One thing that may help is to visualize yourself in a very calm place. This will allow you to calm yourself just prior to putting the mask on. Deep breathing helps and stretching can also help. You are trying to get yourself in a very relaxed state of mind.

Now you can mask up and lay down.

Continue to relax. Just before you drift off to sleep, move your visualization ahead to the next morning and see yourself fully rested after this wonderful nights sleep.

When you wake up you will bounce out of bed ready for the day...

On the surface this may sound a little "corny," but you would be surprised how well it actually works.

[Drowsy Dancer]

You have my sympathy as well.

Have you tried wearing the mask and using the machine when you are awake and not even trying to sleep, say, reading a book or watching TV, for a while every day?

The idea would be to get yourself accustomed to it so that it becomes familiar and boring, rather than strange and anxiety-producing? That seems to help some folks.

[Papit]

. . . Have you tried wearing the mask and using the machine when you are awake and not even trying to sleep, say, reading a book or watching TV, for a while every day? . . .

Great idea that was suggested to me early on. I watched tv and read some during the day I first got my mask. Worked like a charm.

You'll be doing just fine, DOS.

--papit