Little bit scared... Got the machine today.

[Rofriki]

Hello Everyone,
I just joined today having read through a little of the forum when I was first under investigation for Sleep Apnea and having found it helped reassure me a little on it.
I was properly diagnosed a couple of weeks ago after doing the night on the Oximeter thing, and they said I have up to 19.44 episodes an hour... It wasn't properly explained to me if that is a bad thing or not, but I'm taking it as not great.

I was called back in to be given the machine, and the lady went through how it worked and so on, but when she put the mask on me (full face, Resimed quatro something or other I think she said it was) I started feeling really shaky and claustrophobic, like falling into a deep dark hole. I know, it sounds daft but it really kind of freaked me out..
I didn't take it off, but I just sat there shaking while she did all the stuff she had to do.

I told her that it was bothering me and she offered me another one, that looked like some modern day kind of torture device (with bits that went up your nose as it covered your mouth ) but I said I would try and make do with the first one.

Has anyone else got this problem, or had it and gotten over it and is there anyway to acclimate more quickly to a mask if you have bad claustrophobia? I don't really want to wear it around my son downstairs to do it, because he's only 5 and it might scare him a little (not to mention that my hubby thinks it's hilarious and keeps humming the Imperial March since he found out I have to have a machine. ) and I can't spend every night having kittens because I have something over my face.

Thankyou for letting me ramble on
Ro x

[LSAT]

I think you should carefully explain it to your son...make a game of it. Then, start wearing it while you relax or watch TV. It will give your face (and your son)a chance to get used to it. Don't worry about breathing, you will not have the machine or hose connected .

[chunkyfrog]

Welcome; it might also help to remind your son that firefighters, pilots, and astronauts wear masks.
So you can be Major Mom, astronaut.

[PST]

I was called back in to be given the machine, and the lady went through how it worked and so on, but when she put the mask on me (full face, Resimed quatro something or other I think she said it was) I started feeling really shaky and claustrophobic, like falling into a deep dark hole. I know, it sounds daft but it really kind of freaked me out..
I didn't take it off, but I just sat there shaking while she did all the stuff she had to do.

Welcome. Did you have these feelings with the machine running? There is an experience many people have had here, especially in full face masks, when the starting pressure they are given is too low. Often this is just an initial pressure from which the machine is supposed to "ramp up" gradually. The idea is not to hit you with too much all at once. But too little can feel like suffocating. You want to inhale more air than the machine is providing. It's scary, and it can feel like claustrophobia. Many people get by with no ramping. I had that awful suffocating feeling during my first titration study, but it went away as soon as the pressure was set high enough to be sure I always got as much air as I wanted. This might not be what's bother you, but it might be. It's something that has been discussed here many times before, so you wouldn't be the only one.

You might want to add a signature that shows your equipment and pressure. Look at what others have done. It helps everyone else help you.

[sawinglogz]

The unease is totally normal.

For claustrophobic reactions to the mask, a lot of people recommend easing into it while doing something else. Watch TV or read a book while wearing the mask with the machine on. If you have the Quattro (or anything with a forehead support) that's a bit harder, since the support might obscure your view.

Note that, contrary to the recommendation above, you might need the hose and machine connected, depending on the mask. Some masks disconnect in a way that it's completely easy to breathe without the machine. Others don't. If you have a Quattro or Quattro FX, it'll be a lot easier with the machine. If you have something that disconnects at the elbow (like a Liberty), you can do it without the hose.

With my machine, the respiratory therapist came to my house to set it up, and my 4-year-old crept in to watch. She was quite entertained by the mask, especially the air blowing out of it.

So I think your kid is most likely to follow your lead in reacting to it. I second the suggestion of making a game out of it, playing with the air, etc.

[deerslayer]

WELCOME Rofriki
Finding a mask you can tolerate is something we all go through at first. you have found the perfect place for answers ,Good Luck !

[Kshynes]

I am new as well. I have just had my machine for about a week and a 1/2. I too feel just a little claustrophobic when I first put my mask on, but it helped when I reduced my ramp time from 20 minutes to 10 minutes. I am usually distracted for the first 10 minutes or so while I sit up and watch a few minutes of the news, get tucked in, etc.. I wish us both better nights of sleep and more days of energy.

[caffeinatedcfo]

Welcome! I can not offer more than the advice above about letting your son see you wearing it and making it something fun to him. Also, wearing just the mask for short periods while awake will help. Trust us.

[Rofriki]

Hey again
Thankyou for all being so nice and for the welcomes, It's nice to be able to talk to people in the same situation who understand what it is like. -grouphugs-

I took your advice with my son because I was really worried he would be scared. He turned the mask over a couple of times in his hands and tried to put it on! (was very cute! ) He hasn't seen me with it on yet, but I'll try that tomorrow when I have had a bit more time to get used to it. I did like the Astronaut idea
I'm wearing it as I type this, and even though the shakes are happening still, it's not as bad as it was before.

The main time my claustrophobia kicked in was during the mask fitting bit, when the air got really strong (the machine is an S9 Res med, according to the label on the bag and the mask is a Quattro FX? - Just going by the labels on everything because I don't have the first clue about all this stuff. Not even sure where to start looking for pressure.) because that's when it started to feel like I couldn't breathe, I've always had this thing where I don't like things over my face, or blowing into my face. It makes me panic and then I end up being sick or going into a panic attack.

I guess it is just something I will have to learn to live with. - I will try the idea of trying the mask on during the day watching TV or reading, it sounds like the best way to get used to it. Many baby steps from here on out.

Thankyou again so much everyone - I've been dreading getting this machine thing since the doctors told me that sleep apnea was a possibility and I think I've been overly stressing myself out about it, making the reaction so much worse. Knowing I have likeminded people to talk to about it really helps -huggles- So thankyou, so so much It means a lot.

Ro x

[DarrylM]

Do the DME's make more money somehow when they give patients a full face mask? I was given a full face mask, had a terrible four nights and then switched to FX Swift Nasal Pillows and have had wonderful results since and it just seems to me that many of the new patients who post are given a FF and then at some point they find themselves using something else. When I demanded to be allowed to try the Nasal Pillows my DME said "Sure, that is our most used type." And I thought, "well why did you give me this helmet to star with?"

[caffeinatedcfo]

You have the right idea ... baby steps. Even if you only wear it a few hours each night in the beginning that is way better sleep than before.

The air pressure will quickly feel less intense as long as you stick with it.

If you feel a lilttle panic when starting out just try your best to breathe normal. CPAP masks have exhaust vents (holes) for breathing and keep remembering you are getting plenty of air.

The Resmed S9 models also have a setting labeled "EPR" which can be set to a maximum of 3 to help with exhaling. I use this setting and it was very helpful when I started (even at low pressures). My signature section contains a link to a video that shows how to navigate the S9 menus.

Oh yeah, and here are some tips on your mask: http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/taming ... e-quattro/

[sawinglogz]

Glad to hear your son took to the mask so well!

Hey again
The main time my claustrophobia kicked in was during the mask fitting bit, when the air got really strong ... because that's when it started to feel like I couldn't breathe, I've always had this thing where I don't like things over my face, or blowing into my face. It makes me panic and then I end up being sick or going into a panic attack.

There are a few things at play here:

First, there's the intimidating blast of air, where it seems like the machine is blowing like crazy. That only happens if the mask isn't on your face. Here's why: the machine tries its best to create a certain amount of air pressure. When the mask is on your face and has a good seal, the machine won't have to work very hard to keep the pressure: it will only need to add as much air as is escaping from the mask vent. But when the mask is completely off of your face, the machine will blow as hard as its little motor can, but since it's just blowing out into the room, it will never pressurize anything, so it'll keep blowing like crazy.

At my initial titration, I remember feeling a little intimidated by that, since the tech turned the machine on and then placed the mask on my face. I remember closing my mouth and holding my breath while she put it on. As it got closer I could feel the gust of air. But the moment the mask touched my face and sealed, it suddenly stopped.

For me, understanding what was happening helped immensely. But if it's simply the sensation that gives you the chills, you might also try turning on the machine just after you press the mask to your face. You'll get a brief pulse of air as it pressurizes, but then it won't feel like much. Feel free to hold your breath during that first pulse. Maybe take a few breaths like that, then turn it off, take off the mask, and try again when you're up to it.

Note that with a full face mask you'll feel a bit smothered when you put the mask on without turning the machine on, so you probably won't want to hang out with the mask on minus machine for too long. There's also an "anti-asphyxia valve" that will pop open and keep you from actually smothering.


Second, you might be finding it difficult to exhale against the air pressure. (Conversely, you'll probably find that it's extremely easy to inhale.) ResMed has a setting called "EPR" ("expiratory pressure relief") that reduces the pressure slightly when it notices that you're exhaling. The max setting of 3 gives the most relief. But it still might take a little while to get used to that.

Generally people will get accustomed to exhaling against the pressure over time. Some people report sore chests or abs at first as their diaphragm grows stronger. There are also (more expensive) options available if it turns out you never adjust to the pressure. I don't know what the clinical requirements are in the UK; many insurers in the States require 30 days on CPAP before trying anything more exotic. If it turns out you're prescribed especially high pressure and you're having trouble adjusting, you might discuss starting with something a little lower with your doctor just to acclimate. It won't be as effective, but less effective therapy is far more effective than no therapy!

(the machine is an S9 Res med, according to the label on the bag and the mask is a Quattro FX? - Just going by the labels on everything because I don't have the first clue about all this stuff. Not even sure where to start looking for pressure.)

Just to confirm, do you have the Quattro FX or the Quattro? (See the links for pictures; the difference is in the forehead support.) Do you mouth-breathe? If not, there are also a variety of alternative masks that are much smaller and are less likely to make you feel claustrophobic.

Finally, because people here will ask, can you find the model number or name of your ResMed S9? I believe the name will be just above the big power button on top. Is it "Elite", or "Escape", or "AutoSet"? I'll defer to others as to how to find the pressure setting.

[BlackSpinner]

[quote="Rofriki"
I told her that it was bothering me and she offered me another one, that looked like some modern day kind of torture device (with bits that went up your nose as it covered your mouth ) but I said I would try and make do with the first one.
[/quote]

That is a Hybrid mask. I have been using one for 3 years. It is my favourite mask. It doesn't do things to the bridge of my nose and if properly adjusted it is very comfortable for side sleeping. I also have a Quatro full face mask for nights when I have a cold or a bad allergy reaction and my nose is too stuffed.

[Rofriki]

Sorry for not replying for a couple of days - been taking time out learning about the machine and my nieces birthday popped up too

For Sawinglogz who asked, the mask i have is the Quattro FX, the one without the forehead bit (I think if id been given that one, that would have made me so much more worse.) and I think the auto set S9, cause it is always saying auto set at the bottom of the screen.

Over the last 2 nights I've managed to use it without too much fuss, though waking up with it on made me jump cause i forget i have it on. It hasn't taken as long as i thought it would to get used to it, and now i have gotten used to the air pressure bit except for the higher one to check the fit, it isn't so bad.

My son still thinks it's great, keeps wanting to play with it and asked me to say "hello to the nice people on the computer who stopped mummy feeling all scared"

Thankyou again to everyone, you've really been a big help ^_^
I hope i'll be able to be just as helpful to you all and the community in the future x
Ro x

[KenH]

I too could not do the full face. Very claustrophobic. I started with the Swift FX that just has the pillows that goes in you nose and now have the Wisp. It just covers you nose. I like it very much.