New user experiencing claustrophobia and headaches

katestyles · Post by **katestyles** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:14 am

Hey - How did you sleep last night? Do you have more questions? We are happy to answer......

Off2Sleep · Post by **Off2Sleep** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:28 am

Thank you for asking. I first "practiced" with my mask for over an hour while still awake. That helped me acclimate a bit, but the full face mask still feels restrictive and claustrophobic. I would like to try a nasal mask to see if that makes a difference. Also, most replies here seem to agree that my nightly headaches are because my settings are off and I need more pressure. I called my distributor to see if I can get a new mask and change pressure settings, but was told I need a doctor's prescription for any changes. I am still waiting to hear back about a mask change. So... moving toward solutions, just not as quickly as anticipated. I hope this all gets resolved before I return to work at Yellowstone in July!

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:29 am

Off2Sleep wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:04 am
Thanks for the catch, Zonker.
(I was focusing on the "autoset" part. Also didn't know I have a "for her" machine and mask.)

hat-tip.gif

it'll become important later, when some obnoxious half wit will become confused when trying to give you advice.

and as kate said, how's the sleeping?

katestyles · Post by **katestyles** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:48 am

Off2Sleep wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 29, 2019 11:28 am
Thank you for asking. I first "practiced" with my mask for over an hour while still awake. That helped me acclimate a bit, but the full face mask still feels restrictive and claustrophobic. I would like to try a nasal mask to see if that makes a difference. Also, most replies here seem to agree that my nightly headaches are because my settings are off and I need more pressure. I called my distributor to see if I can get a new mask and change pressure settings, but was told I need a doctor's prescription for any changes. I am still waiting to hear back about a mask change. So... moving toward solutions, just not as quickly as anticipated. I hope this all gets resolved before I return to work at Yellowstone in July!

Just like with any prescription, you have the freedom to leave the bottle untouched, or overdose and take them all at once. The problem is whether your insurance will continue to pay for your therapy if you don't do as you are told.

Most of us here change our own pressures. You don't need a doctor's prescription, but it is nice if you have your doctor's blessing. YOur distributor probably cannot change it withouot your doctor's authorisation. But you can.

Off2Sleep · Post by **Off2Sleep** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:35 pm

Yes, I have already figured out how to change the pressure, I just don't want to do anything without a full understanding of exactly what I am doing. For now, I'll just keep asking questions. So here's one--- if I really do need more pressure, then why doesn't my "autoset" machine automatically give me the pressure I need?

jimbud · Post by **jimbud** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:47 pm

These machines are not perfect.
Your body is probably telling you that you are not starting out with enough pressure.
Start out at a comfortable pressure (for you) then let the machine go from there.
We are all different, the machine does not know that.
I am just filling in time until a expert shows up.
So take what I say with a grain of salt.

JPB

babydinosnoreless · Post by **babydinosnoreless** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:51 pm

Off2Sleep wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:35 pm
Yes, I have already figured out how to change the pressure, I just don't want to do anything without a full understanding of exactly what I am doing. For now, I'll just keep asking questions. So here's one--- if I really do need more pressure, then why doesn't my "autoset" machine automatically give me the pressure I need?

The way I understand it, the pressure on the machine goes up in reaction to events, it can't anticipate when you will have them. If your pressure is set to low to start it takes longer for it to get there to stop the events from happening. Bumping your minimum pressure helps the machine to react faster.

The experts will be along soon I am sure to explain it better.

katestyles · Post by **katestyles** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 1:41 pm

Off2Sleep wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 29, 2019 12:35 pm
Yes, I have already figured out how to change the pressure, I just don't want to do anything without a full understanding of exactly what I am doing. For now, I'll just keep asking questions. So here's one--- if I really do need more pressure, then why doesn't my "autoset" machine automatically give me the pressure I need?

The response of the machine can't be too abrupt, so it will gradually get to the pressure you need, but it may take a while. And it won't even try until the end of the ramp.

zonker · Post by **zonker** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 1:47 pm

looks to me like the experts have spoken! seriously, you guys are doing fine.

(i'll now wait for an expert to come and tell us we are wrong!)

off2sleep! is this making sense to you?

katestyles · Post by **katestyles** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 1:48 pm

Off2Sleep wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 29, 2019 7:50 am
Thank you for your input. I am a total novice and little was explained to me clearly, so after receiving your replies, I tried to learn my machine on my own.

-ResMed AirSense 10
-AirFit F20 full face mask
-Pressure settings: min 5.0 / max 12.0 / Auto
-Start pressure: 4.0
-Ramp time: Auto
-Pressure Relief: ON / Smart Start: ON

-Shouldn't "AUTO" (for pressure settings and for ramp time) make sure I get the right amount of air at all times, regardless of the settings?
-If not, what should the pressure be? Ramp time?

-Thank you for input on the straps, however, I keep my straps as loose as I can (with no leakage), so tight straps are probably not the cause of my headaches.
-As suggested, I wore the mask for 75 minutes while awake. While a tad more comfortable, I still felt restricted and frustrated that I was unable to move my mouth.

How did these settings feel whilst you had the mask on, awake? You would have been at a pressure of 4 for that time, which I cannot tolerate - I feel like a fish out of water gasping for air.

A lack of air is one cause of headaches.

I would be tempted to play the "how high can I go" game. Turn the ramp off, and start up the machine while masked up. Increase the pressure bit by bit, while you are awake. See how different pressures feel to you. Don't go higher than 12. You may find one that feels more comfortable to you.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Apr 29, 2019 5:12 pm

Most people are in the range of 10 cm's, 8 to 12 would be a good place to start, but you also need to download the software and then you can post it here, then someone can give more help.

Not having and using the software is like driving your car with no steering wheel. Jim

riversong · Post by **riversong** » Tue Apr 30, 2019 7:33 am

Dog Slobber wrote: ↑
Mon Apr 29, 2019 7:56 am

Wear your mask during the day to help get used to it.

If possible, consider a nasal mask or nasal pillow system, many consider these systems less intrusive and less prone to feelings of claustrophobia

Talk to your provider about increasing your ramp and minimum pressures, many feel oxygen starved with such low pressures

I had an issue with claustrophobia as well and using the AirFit P10 with my machine helped a ton. I felt the same way you did for about the first six weeks of treatment, but now I can't sleep without it. I went through three masks before I found the right one. Might be worth trying to see if it'll work for you. I will say this board was a game changer for me. If it weren't for the advice I got here I never would've stuck with it. You've come to the right place.

Another thing that really solved it for me was using the Hose Buddy. Once I stopped getting tangled in the hose things got a lot better.

Off2Sleep · Post by **Off2Sleep** » Wed May 01, 2019 7:34 am

Update: Yesterday I exchanged my full face mask for the AirFit nasal mask N20. For the first time in five nights, I was able to keep my mask on all night. It was only slightly intrusive, but I will adapt to that. I hung the hose over and behind my headboard, which keeps it out of my way.

As of yet, my sleep does not feel any different. Does it take time before there are noticeable changes?

Dog Slobber · Post by **Dog Slobber** » Wed May 01, 2019 7:42 am

Off2Sleep wrote: ↑
Wed May 01, 2019 7:34 am
Update: Yesterday I exchanged my full face mask for the AirFit nasal mask N20. For the first time in five nights, I was able to keep my mask on all night. It was only slightly intrusive, but I will adapt to that. I hung the hose over and behind my headboard, which keeps it out of my way.

As of yet, my sleep does not feel any different. Does it take time before there are noticeable changes?

Yes.

Prior to CPAP your sleep was being disturb by apneas. Your therapy has addressed that, but now you're not sleeping well because you've got a device attached to your face.

This takes time to get used to, and is not the same for everyone.

babydinosnoreless · Post by **babydinosnoreless** » Wed May 01, 2019 10:48 am

Off2Sleep wrote: ↑
Wed May 01, 2019 7:34 am
Update: Yesterday I exchanged my full face mask for the AirFit nasal mask N20. For the first time in five nights, I was able to keep my mask on all night. It was only slightly intrusive, but I will adapt to that. I hung the hose over and behind my headboard, which keeps it out of my way.

As of yet, my sleep does not feel any different. Does it take time before there are noticeable changes?

Yes, it takes time. I would also recommend downloading the free software (either Oscar or Sleepyhead ) and making sure your AHI are being controlled by the machine. When I first started the doctor had me on a very high fixed pressure, then they changed it to auto and it was too low of a starting pressure. I bumped mine back up a bit and really started feeling much better. I also made friends with my mask and hose by making it comfortable for me. I crocheted covers with soft baby yarn so it looks less scary and more cuddly. I saw a thread where someone else had sewn one using an old fleece jacket and it looked so comfy and friendly I wanted to try it. Since I can't sew , I did this instead.

its not perfect but its better than the ugly crinkly hoses bumping me all night.

Here is the thread that started me on making my covers.

viewtopic/t175211/Feeling-Down.html?hilit=Fleece+Jacket

New user experiencing claustrophobia and headaches

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