Newish cpap user - feeling jittery or like I have rapid heartbeat

Hi all.

I’ve been trying to use my cpap for several months, but it is slow going and I usually take it off in my sleep after an hour or so. One big problem I am having is that every night when I start using it, I start to feel jittery and shaky inside - the best way to describe it is it feels like my heart is beating really fast and hard. When I check my pulse it is normal.

Anyone heard of this and/or know what it is? I think my pressure is pretty high .. set to 20 I think.

For me, that problem didn't go away until I was using PAP all night every night and whenever I slept. But I'm just one person, and you may be dealing with something completely different from what I experienced.

Please add your equipment to your profile like I have mine
wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile

Once you figure out exactly which machine you are using go here and request the clinical/provider manual so you can get into the setup menu and know for sure what all your settings are.
https://www.apneaboard.com/adjust-cpap- ... tup-manual

So instead of thinking or guessing what the pressure is you will know for sure.
While people do sometimes need to start the night at 20 cm pressure it isn't common.
Usually those people will be using a special machine that makes it easier to use the higher pressures.
Now sometimes people will be using a machine that can go to 20 cm and the settings might be a range of pressure where it starts out as a lower pressure and can go to 20 but just because it can go to 20 doesn't mean it is going to 20.
Without knowing your machine model and settings we have no way of offering much in terms of advice.

If you are putting the mask on and pretty much immediately start having heart jittery issues....sounds more like an anxiety situation and you need to be having a chat with your doctor about what you are experiencing.

weathervein wrote: ↑

Fri Jun 08, 2018 8:02 am

Hi all.

I’ve been trying to use my cpap for several months, but it is slow going and I usually take it off in my sleep after an hour or so. One big problem I am having is that every night when I start using it, I start to feel jittery and shaky inside - the best way to describe it is it feels like my heart is beating really fast and hard. When I check my pulse it is normal.

Anyone heard of this and/or know what it is? I think my pressure is pretty high .. set to 20 I think.

hey, weathervein and welcome to the forum!

have you tried wearing the mask when you aren't in bed? like, before bed time and either reading a book or watching tv?

this could help you get used to the whole idea of wearing a mask.

believe me, this is one of the hardest things to get used to with cpap therapy!

good luck.