Panic attacks during the day

Hi all. I have been on CPAP a little over 2 weeks. The first week I felt like I couldn't get enough air during the day. This past week I have been having anxiety and panic attacks during the day. I have no problem with the CPAP at all (I'm not anxious about wearing it). My panic is during the day. Has anyone else had the same experience on CPAP? Thank you for listening.

Guest wrote:Hi all. I have been on CPAP a little over 2 weeks. The first week I felt like I couldn't get enough air during the day. This past week I have been having anxiety and panic attacks during the day. I have no problem with the CPAP at all (I'm not anxious about wearing it). My panic is during the day. Has anyone else had the same experience on CPAP? Thank you for listening.

Welcome-

Yes, I did experience that same issue when starting therapy. It took me about a month to work through it all. Keep on it. You can get through it all.

Best regards,


C

Do you feel your attacks are related to (in anticipation of) wearing Cpap? Because if not, then you're on the wrong forum.

No, I do not think my anxiety is about putting on or wearing the CPAP mask. I also do not think I am on the wrong forum. It was only after being on CPAP that the anxiety started. I'm not sure if my body is adjusting to therapy or what is going on. I do know I was told I would feel better after starting CPAP but that hasn't been the case.

Can you be a bit more specific about your problems using Cpap? What particular issues did you have or were there none but the anxiety just began incidentally? What else was going on in your life? Have you talked to a sleep doctor at all or been referred to a psychologist, tried CBT, etc?

If the panic attacks were happening when you are using the cpap, it would point to too long ramp time
or too low starting pressure. Since it is happening during the day, I would suspect something unrelated,
but coincidental to starting cpap. Think about where you are or what you are doing when it happens.

I've got anxiety and panic disorders, and interestingly, since starting CPAP (just over a month ago), it's actually improved. BUT, a couple of weeks into my trial, I had a day or two where I noticed my chest/ribs felt funny, and somewhat like I wasn't able to inhale enough - which would normally be a trigger for anxiety. But I'd read that I could be using different muscles (or using the usual ones differently) because of the air pressure, etc. Is there any chance you're feeling "different" sensations that are triggering fear?

ZzzCatcher wrote:I've got anxiety and panic disorders, and interestingly, since starting CPAP (just over a month ago), it's actually improved. BUT, a couple of weeks into my trial, I had a day or two where I noticed my chest/ribs felt funny, and somewhat like I wasn't able to inhale enough - which would normally be a trigger for anxiety. But I'd read that I could be using different muscles (or using the usual ones differently) because of the air pressure, etc. Is there any chance you're feeling "different" sensations that are triggering fear?

Using XPAP, causes muscles to have to work a little harder to exhale, also the lungs may expand a little more than you are used too.

This may cause a little discomfort for a few days, (not really bad) over time you will feel no difference, the body adapts, as does the mind. Usually by 3 or 4 weeks any thing different is now normal. Jim

I honestly don't think I'm doing anything differently to trigger the anxiety and panic attacks. I am no longer working, so I'm at home most of the time. I was just curious if anyone else experienced anxiety after starting CPAP. I was expecting to feel great like everyone kept telling me I would and now I have this crippling anxiety. I spend my day fighting panic attacks and end up in tears. This is not what I expected at all.

What you need is a doctor, not a bunch of strangers on the internet!

Hello Guest.. I have no answers for what you are experiencing or if it's related to CPAP in any way. Maybe seek some professional advice. It might just take one or two sessions with a psychologist to figure this out. At least it's worth a try. Best of luck!

Julie..I am going to my sleep doctor tomorrow and to heart doctor in a couple weeks. I was only looking for a little peace of mind until then. No need to be nasty. That sure doesn't help.

How was I nasty?

Trying to direct you to the right place for help... you can get 1,000 opinions online from people who don't know you but it won't help much without real life input from people who do.

Two weeks is a very short time to get used to cpap.
Some here needed less, but others needed more--a few needed MUCH more.
What you are experiencing is uncommon, but not impossible.
Your anxiety may not be new--but you could be noticing it now because of your concern.
That is, in fact, how anxiety often works.
Don't let it own you--concentrate on distracting yourself from what worries you.

Guest wrote:Julie..I am going to my sleep doctor tomorrow and to heart doctor in a couple weeks. I was only looking for a little peace of mind until then. No need to be nasty. That sure doesn't help.

Being nasty for no reason never helps. Some people can't seem to figure that out. I think they just enjoy being nasty.

Glad to read you are seeing your doctors. Please read my signature... and then take what works for you and leave the rest.