How do I get past the suffocation feeling?

[iggyb]

Hi All! Thanks for all your suggestions!

I assume the settings on the machine have been set so that after my "trial", they will be able to set the machine for what I need. One question, if it's set from 5-20 does that mean it starts out at 5 and hits 20 at some point? Or only gives me 20 if I need it?

So, over the past couple of nights I have been using the ResMed Swift FX mask. I like it because of the size. I started using the small nasal pillows (but felt that suffocating feeling again) and then went to the medium ones. They feel better, but I am waking at 4am with leaks, and no matter what I do, they will not stop, so I end up taking the mask off. I will try going back to the small ones tonight and see if that makes a difference. If not, I will go back to using the Zest-Q for the rest of the trial. I like the feel of it because there is nothing stuck up my nostril, but it is very cumbersome. I ultimately want to try the Wisp, but want to try one on before ordering one. I have the day off tomorrow, so I am going to check a local Respiratory store to see if they have one I can look at.

I am still finding it very hard to fall asleep... still the suffocating feeling. I guess that will go away after I get used to the therapy... it is frustrating though. It is a problem I am feeling with both getting and exhaling the air... likely all in my head.

I tried turning off the ramp feature, and it seemed to help. But it still takes me at least an hour to fall asleep, even though I can't keep my eyes open I'm so tired.

It's funny, since starting the therapy, the best night so far was the first night! All nights since have been "ok", but not great.

I go back to the clinic on April 18th to get my results... so we shall see.

Any suggestions in masks and machines would l help.

Thanks in advance!

[Pugsy]

Or only gives me 20 if I need it?

It only goes to 20 if it thinks you need it.

I am still finding it very hard to fall asleep... still the suffocating feeling. I guess that will go away after I get used to the therapy... it is frustrating though. It is a problem I am feeling with both getting and exhaling the air... likely all in my head.

Try starting the minimum pressure at 6 cm and see if that helps...5 cm feels very suffocating and stifling to a lot of people.
Ramp starts at 4 cm...so more stifling but you can start ramp a little higher too. Doesn't have to start at 4 cm.

[Xney]

The thing about xPAP pressure is that it is always positive. Always above atmospheric. Even leaks twice vent rate are within the ability of the machine to compensate.

So I guess I will believe that the person is "not getting enough air" when a person shows me an awake segment where the person shows low air volume being actually used otherwise I think the breathing control system is to blame and responsible for the feeling of suffocation.

MANY people find low pressures to be stifling - low pressures as in low pressures of xPAP treatment. Yes, it's above atmospheric pressures, but you're not breathing open air, you're breathing through a long tube.

Personally, having been used to high pressures, I find anything below 8cm to be suffocating. Even 8cm feels too low, just barely adequate.

I think the OP should maybe try 6cm as the bottom of their range and see how it goes. Unlike higher pressures, you won't adjust to lower pressures - they will never get comfortable.

[Todzo]

The thing about xPAP pressure is that it is always positive. Always above atmospheric. Even leaks twice vent rate are within the ability of the machine to compensate.

So I guess I will believe that the person is "not getting enough air" when a person shows me an awake segment where the person shows low air volume being actually used otherwise I think the breathing control system is to blame and responsible for the feeling of suffocation.

MANY people find low pressures to be stifling - low pressures as in low pressures of xPAP treatment. Yes, it's above atmospheric pressures, but you're not breathing open air, you're breathing through a long tube.

Personally, having been used to high pressures, I find anything below 8cm to be suffocating. Even 8cm feels too low, just barely adequate.

I think the OP should maybe try 6cm as the bottom of their range and see how it goes. Unlike higher pressures, you won't adjust to lower pressures - they will never get comfortable.

As mentioned above:

"So I guess I will believe that the person is "not getting enough air" when a person shows me an awake segment where the person shows low air volume being actually used otherwise I think the breathing control system is to blame and responsible for the feeling of suffocation."

If the lower pressure allows apnea or hypopnea the central nervous system activation is likely to tend toward unstable breathing.

[iggyb]

Hi All,

Sorry, but all of this is all so overwhelming... I'm wondering if my trepidation to the therapy is because, over the past two years I have lost my sister (to Cancer) and my Mother (to depression from the loss of her daughter, and more). Maybe I need to talk to a professional about all of the and my feelings.. Thanks for all your help so far!!!!

[HoseCrusher]

Just relax and take it one step at a time.

You have a lot on your plate and there is no reason to get overwhelmed with this therapy. There are a few "tricks" that we can offer but you have to decide that this is going to help you get better rested through a good nights sleep. Once you believe that in your heart, you can then move on and work on these other things you are dealing with.

When you lay down to sleep lift your mask and take several deep breaths. This will give you some extra oxygen and relax you at the same time. Think of getting ready to dive in a pool and swim the length underwater. Only in this case you have a machine that helps keep your airway open while you sleep.

[DavidCarolina]

Definitely cold air. An AC unit keeping your room around 65 or lower with plenty of blankets will help.

Some people like a ceiling fan.going.

The heated humidifiers make some people feel like theyre breathing in a sauna.

[Todzo]

Hi All,

Sorry, but all of this is all so overwhelming... I'm wondering if my trepidation to the therapy is because, over the past two years I have lost my sister (to Cancer) and my Mother (to depression from the loss of her daughter, and more). Maybe I need to talk to a professional about all of the and my feelings.. Thanks for all your help so far!!!!

Hi iggyb,

I think the stress of all of the change makes the tendency for the xPAP pressure to make you breath more much greater right now. So because of all that life stress right now you tend toward unstable breathing and the very false “feeling” of suffocation.

Having gone through the use of “professionals”. I cannot recommend them. I would strongly look carefully to find out if any valid research (find and look at the research yourself or have a friend do the looking) actually shows a good effect size (more than 70%) long term (five year mark or later). I seriously doubt that you will find anything which comes close to that for any therapy that is purported to help with the kind of issues that you are dealing with now.

I too have been at places dealing with great life changes. What helped me the most was the use of enhanced expiratory rebreathing space (EERS)[1]. It keeps the circulation of the blood going well and so enables good metabolism so the brain can deal with these issues on its own - oh so very much better indeed.

May you find good friend support!

Todzo

[1]: Gilmartin G, McGeehan B, Vigneault K, Daly RW, Manento M, Weiss JW, Thomas RJ.
Treatment of positive airway pressure treatment-associated respiratory instability with enhanced expiratory rebreathing space (EERS).
Source: J Clin Sleep Med. 2010 Dec 15;6(6):529-38. Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21206741

[Kenwood]

Definitely cold air.
The heated humidifiers make some people feel like theyre breathing in a sauna.

I think that was one of the reasons I had a panic attacks at the Sleep Study ripping the FF mask off. It felt like I was not breathing "fresh air" cause it felt "warm" - so they must have used a heated humidifier. But when I got my CPAP machine and used it at home - just humidifier flowing cold air into my face. It was night and day difference. I didn't struggle with the mask being on my big ole face. Only ripped it off once during the 1st night only time too). By the 3rd night - I felt more relaxed with the FF mask on. By the end of the week....I stopped using the ramp feature.

[chunkyfrog]

If it helps any, Iggy, when I was starting, when I first put the mask on, i would lie in bed,
pretending I was an astronaut in one of those cool sci-fi books, traveling to a strange and beautiful far-off planet.

[HoseCrusher]

Pretending...? And here I thought you were the "real thing."

[Janet in TN]

I was about to post this! When I first started CPAP I pretended I was in a spaceship escape pod and had to breathe slow, relaxing breaths until I was rescued. I knew rationally that I was getting air. Slow controlled breathing helps control emotions, which helps avert panic.

As this thread has shown, there are lots of different factors affecting the suffocation feeling. Don't let it stop you from using CPAP.

Janet

[DonRobbie]

For me, turning off the ramp and doing a few long slow deep breaths to start helped.

[jencat824]

I would like to add to everyone else's advice that I use aromatherapy (the one sole on CPAP.com) along with turning off my ramp. My pressure had been 19 for years, then I got a new auto machine & I avg around 13 now. I keep my bottom number up so that I won't get the 'smothers' but I think using relaxation techniques helps too. Part of my relaxation is the aromatherapy. Below is a link to the 'starter'' kit, you can learn which smells sooth & comfort you, that way it helps keep your thinking off your breathing & onto your basic comfort.

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/Pur-Sl ... -Pack.html

Hang in there,
Jen

[Muse-Inc]

I had and still have claustrophobia and fear of suffocation. During one of our Show n'Tell forum meetups here in Atlanta, I found myself edging away from from DreamDiver wearing his FFM 'cause looking at it was giving me the heebeejeebees. I started this therapy with the OptiLife mask (smallest footprint available), then when I started mouthbreathing switched to the RespCare Universal Hybrid...I can't see this mask when it's on unless I make an effort to look down so it doesn't trigger my fears. I also use large pillows for max air flow. I don't tolerate pressures under 8 as it feels like I can't get enough air. Higher pressures don't bother me as I have exhalation pressure relief set on. Initially I set my ramp to 45 mins until I adjusted to this new way of sleeping. Took months if I remember correctly to lower ramp to 20 and then to 5 mins as I fell asleep faster and faster. Eventually I turned ramp off but it took me quite some time to get there...some of us have brains that are slow to adjust to change.