feeling a little frustrated

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 29, 2007 11:33 am

We started Hannah's CPAP therapy on Saturday night.She is quite freaked out by the whole thing but after much coaxing I am able to get her to put it on and actually fall asleep. First night was ok, she slept two hours and then woke up in a panic. After that I took it off because she was so agitated. The second night was a repeat of the first. Last night was a nightmare. She fell asleep and then woke up after 10 minutes freaking out. I calmed her down and restarted the ramp 3 times but she did not go to sleep. I finally gave up for the night, as it was getting really late and she has school today. Tonight I am having hubby and her switch beds so she can be with me. I hope it will make a difference. Please tell me this is normal to wake up in a panic. Does it go away in time??? Also second night while she was sleeping I heard her snoring. She has a full face mask and did not belive there were any leaks but that does not seem normal to me? Maybe the mask does not fit as well as I thought.

HeatherN · Post by **HeatherN** » Tue May 29, 2007 11:37 am

Oops sorry , didn't realize I wasn't logged in. The above is my post.

laurapencils · Post by **laurapencils** » Tue May 29, 2007 12:00 pm

Hi there, it sounds normal to me. I've had cpap for a little over 2 months and I am still adjusting to the panic I feel from having a mask strapped to my face. I hope your daughter adjusts to it and I'm told to give it time - easier said than done! I am considering calling it quits myself since I don't feel any better with my bed getting the continuous air pressure blown on it after I take the mask off in my sleep! Best of luck to you!

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Tue May 29, 2007 1:25 pm

Try getting Hannah to wear the mask while awake, with the machine off. Let her watch TV or play a game with her. Then try turning the machine on. This should help her get more used to it. Let her put the mask on her doll, let Daddy, Mommy and other family members try the mask for a few minutes (make sure that any siblings know to say how great it is!). Let Hannah push the buttons to turn the machine on. Eventually she will get used to it. And the snoring may take a while to go away, or at some point she may need a pressure change. Remember to stay calm and cheerful, kids will pick up on a parents stress and anxiety and it will make it harder for her.

Brenda

I was PM'd about this and want to make it clear that it isn't safe to leave the mask on with the machine off for more than a few minutes. Do disconnect the hose from the mask so more air is available to Hannah while she 'practices' with her mask.