Been using BiPAP for years. Started getting panic attacks!

[Guest]

I've been using the same BiPAP, same full-face mask, same everything for around seven years. Last night, and now tonight, I've exhibited severe, anxiety-disorder-level, DEFCON 1 panic attacks. They subside as soon as I take the mask off and distance myself from the bedroom.

My experience has always been the opposite. Since Day One, the BiPAP has always been a relaxing influence. I don't use the ramp feature at all. Usually, as soon as the pressure hits, I'm peacefully asleep within minutes.

I can't think of any new life developments or other explanations. The hose, mask and reservoir are clean.

Any thoughts? This is my first pose here, but after some lurking I'm really impressed with the forum.

Thanks in advance!

[49er]

I've been using the same BiPAP, same full-face mask, same everything for around seven years. Last night, and now tonight, I've exhibited severe, anxiety-disorder-level, DEFCON 1 panic attacks. They subside as soon as I take the mask off and distance myself from the bedroom.

My experience has always been the opposite. Since Day One, the BiPAP has always been a relaxing influence. I don't use the ramp feature at all. Usually, as soon as the pressure hits, I'm peacefully asleep within minutes.

I can't think of any new life developments or other explanations. The hose, mask and reservoir are clean.

Any thoughts? This is my first pose here, but after some lurking I'm really impressed with the forum.

Thanks in advance!

Hi Guest,

Welcome to the forum although I hate to greet you under these circumstances. Could you please use the link in my signature to fill out your equipment profile? That way, people can better tailor their responses to your situation.

Does this happen when you put the mask on or wake you up?

Taking any meds?

Meanwhile, you might want to read this post on anxiety and panic even though it has nothing to do with sleep apnea. And it is on a psych med withdrawal board as a disclaimer. Anyway, it is one of the best posts I have seen on coping.

http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/sho ... hp?t=49645

Hang in there.

49er

[jamiswolf]

Guest,
A long central apnea with significant drop in Oxygen level can awaken you with a feeling very much like a panic attack. suffocating feeling, gasping for breath, heart racing, perhaps sweaty...sound familiar?

With 7 years or more of apnea and with this new occurrence...I personally would be considering a repeat sleep study to see if anything has changed.
J

[borgready]

Start monitoring your O2 levels with a pulse oximeter. Look for dips or sustained lower than normal 02 levels. Also take a look at your data from your machine and look for apneas and if you have waveform data look for patterns in the waveforms.

The panic attacks you are having is likely your brain trying to deal with your body not breathing right. It trys to get your body going and breathing and kick you out of sleep. If you have this going on get up and find some activity to do and don't continue to play into it. It can mess with your mind and it does not feel good and its not supposed to. I find that calcium supplements (calcium carbonate) aka Tums helps in restoring your blood chemistry when it gets out of balance due to you not getting enough air. Do you get any dreams that scare the poo out of you? These types of dreams kick you out of sleep. You don't want to play into them and start to like them. They are meant to kick you out of sleep. The last thing you want to do is keep playing into a dream like your being chased by something and you heart is beating fast and your body warms up. This is a sign your not getting enough air. so learn to recognize it and get up and break the cycle of what ever is going wrong. It will likely take awhile (a few hours) for your body to stablize. Going back to sleep or you keep trying to sleep while your blood chemistry is out wack will just make things worse. It usually goes to a bad apnea.

[49er]

Guest,
A long central apnea with significant drop in Oxygen level can awaken you with a feeling very much like a panic attack. suffocating feeling, gasping for breath, heart racing, perhaps sweaty...sound familiar?

With 7 years or more of apnea and with this new occurrence...I personally would be considering a repeat sleep study to see if anything has changed.
J

Excellent advice jamiswolf.

49er

[Todzo]

The use of CPAP “turns up the gain” a bit on ones breathing reflexes. Simply it makes it easier to obtain a greater volume of air each minute. If your breathing is “nearly unstable” you may well be pushed into hyperventilation by the added pressure of CPAP.

The quick onset of what you describe makes me think that yours may have a medical basis. Indeed, as I have worked with my own tendency to over breath I have found it's basis was physiological NOT psychological.

Causes of hyperventilation

Anxiety and nervousness
Bleeding
Fever
Cardiac disease, such as congestive heart failure or heart attack
Drugs (such as an aspirin overdose and some medicines)
Infection such as pneumonia or sepsis
Ketoacidosis and similar medical conditions
Lung disease e.g.- asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or pulmonary embolism
Panic attack
Emphysema
High altitude
Head injury
Stroke
Pregnancy
Extreme exercise
Severe pain
Stimulant use
Stress

It may be time to schedule an appointment.

If it continues you might consider using EERS.

You might also have your electrolyte and vitamin D levels checked.

[chunkyfrog]

See your doctor! After years of successful treatment, a sudden change may indicate something requiring immediate medical attention.
We are strangers, who are not familiar with your situation. Your machine could be wearing out; or your pressure needs may have changed
(--but, suddenly?) You could also have something going wrong that has nothing to do with apnea. Go to the doctor.

[lastlib]

Given the state of the world, and the country, panic attacks might be appropriate. If they are really severe ignore me and seek a Doctors opinion.