Anxiety over CPAP

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:14 pm

I have been on the hose since December 06 (9 months) and have been 100% complient. I feel so much better. My avg. AHI is 1.1. Even though I know how much good it is doing for me I still dread going to bed because I don't want to put the mask on. I seem to put it off until I just have to (tired). Is there ever going to be a time when I will actually look forward to putting on the mask like I used to look forward to just getting under the covers and going to sleep?

Some of you folks that have been on the hose for a while; have you ever reached this point? How long did it take? I keep thinking it will come but I still have a large amount of anxiety over having to wear the mask. Yes, I do it but I still have to make myself.

Just sitting here waiting til I work up the courage to go hook myself up.

Thanks for the info.

stanta · Post by **stanta** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:47 pm

Call me sick but after leaving an important component at home twice in the last three months i am more than happy to hose up when I am going to bed. Please realize though that I have 5 years on the mask. Keep with it, you will probably not "love" putting the mask on but you will become accepting of it.

Sleep well

SleepyNoMore · Post by **SleepyNoMore** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:10 am

6ptstar, do you wear a full face mask??? If so, try a nasal pillow mask or just a half mask, sounds to me like you have had the same mask for 5 years ?? I could never put a FFM on ever, I will stick to my nose pillow system, I tried the comfort gel and that was way to much for me to handle, it leaked air in my eyes, tore my face up and leaked, I hated that thing so, maybe a new mask might give you a better outlook on putting that thing on. OK, I must admit, there are times when I get up around 3am to get a drink that I just sit on the bed and look at my cpap and think, should I put this thing back on, then I go through a minute of YES-NO-YES-NO and finally it's YES i'll put it back on because the good outweighs the bad.. Think about a different style mask, you might be suprised- Keep us posted. Have a wonderful nights sleep.

papdaddy · Post by **papdaddy** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:37 am

Hi 6Ptstar, I have to agree with stanta, all you have to do is get a night or two without it and it will become second nature to you. I have been paping for about 6 years now. I was one of the lucky ones who felt really better once I started. The difference was night and day for me, but it still took me about a year until it became second nature for me to hose up. Now I don't even think about it at night when I am ready for bed. I just dred NOT being able to hose up.(due to power interuptions, getting stranded, etc.) I am sure in time you won't even think about it before bed. It does become second nature.
Hope that helps.
Rich

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:12 am

Thanks for the replys. SleepyNoMore, they put me in a FFM from the start (put on the questionare that I breathed through my mouth sometimes)and my DME would not talk to me about changing except to a different FFM. Haited it. Used the F&P 431 for the first 3 months (brused my face a lot), then gave me a MoJo (more comfortable but leaked like a seive) I finally on 7/26 got a NA II (bought out of pocket on line) and have been using it since. My DME still doesn't know I changed and yes it has helped "some". I told my Doc and he was fine with the change. I took him the Encore reports to prove to him that it was doing better.

m1k2s3 · Post by **m1k2s3** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:14 am

I know exactly what you're talking about 6ptstar. I've been on CPAP therapy for about 6 months now like you, I am 100% compliant (naps included). I really hate going to bed because it means putting on my mask. Never had a problem before CPAP going to bed or getting to sleep (or so I thought, although my snoring became a real problem for my husband) I can really relate to what you've said - in fact one of my problems is I've always had a real phobia about things covering my face - hence I've never done anything that requires covering my mouth or nose ( like snorkeling or snowmobiling), because I would have to cover my face.

It's a struggle every night to put the mask on but I do it for a number of reasons. For one thing, it's the healthier alternative and I do wake up every morning feeling good and I guess that's what I focus on as I struggle to put my mask on - how good I'll feel in the morning.

I've read the other posts hear in response and it's certainly encouraging to think that it will get better. I'm realizing that I don't have to like it or love it and but I can learn to accept it.

One thing is for sure - I'm never going to give up giving up is too easy and I encourage you, 6ptstar to keep at it too. Nine months of therapy is a terrific accomplishment so focus on all to good you are doing yourself/

msheda · Post by **msheda** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:54 am

I haven't been on that long (since 8/24/07) but I haven't had a problem with it. It might help that I used to snorkel a lot, so the idea of having my face covered and breathing through a hose isn't foreign to me. (and yes, I use a FFM since I am definately a mouth breather)

Maybe getting certified for diving would help, and you could reward yourself with a trip to the carribean to dive the reefs as a graduation present.

dieselgal · Post by **dieselgal** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 11:20 am

6PtStar you might try to buy your own nasal mask and try that for yourself just to see if it is a better option for you.

Wulfman... · Post by **Wulfman...** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 12:00 pm

Even after about 2 1/2 years, there's still occasionally that split-second as I'm about to put my UMFF on that I wish I didn't have to.....but then when the air hits my face, that feeling goes away as the cool air makes my breathing feel "normal".

Like msheda's experience, I spent some years on a volunteer fire department where we used air paks when going into fires, so a full face mask isn't a big deal to me. By the way, going into a dark smoke-filled building IS a claustrophobic experience.

I actually look forward to going to bed with my CPAP and on some nights wish I could go to bed earlier. At some point, it's actually like there isn't even anything on my face.....but then am reminded when I go to scratch an itch on my face or experience a slight leak and then realize that there IS something there.

You'll get there.

Best wishes,

Den

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:17 pm

6ptstar - I'm feeling like you are right now. I go to bed and don't want to put the mask on. I do it, though. I sigh, and grumble, and put it on. I think laying in bed reading for about a 1/2 hour with the mask on helps. If I just go straight to bed, I don't sleep well.

I'm back feeling tired and draggy and overwhelmed. I'm not as bad as at the beginning, but nearly so. My AHI's are low, and with the new cannula you sent me (THANK YOU!) I have improved my leak rate. I really think the NAII cannulas need to be changed minimum every 3-4 months. There was a marked improvement when I swapped for the new one. I'm still using the old hoses, and I think they are fine.

Hopefully this is a phase and it will pass. Hopefully the arm pain will get better and quit waking me up. Maybe with all the personnel changes DONE in my office, I'll quit being so stressed out.

GOOD LUCK! AND KNOW YOU AREN'T ALONE!!!!!
Barbara

6PtStar · Post by **6PtStar** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:26 pm

Thanks for everyones comments and support. It does help when you know you are not alone in your struggle. I'm sure I will make it but it just helps to hear it from someone who's been there.

Barbera, you be careful. I'm starting to worry about you. You were so upbeat before the school year started. Don't let the job get you down, leave it at the door, your health (mental and physical) is to important.

Humidifier

Additional Comments: My machine is a ResMed S9 Elite - Pressure is 11

Machine	Mask	Humidifier

Mask

Anxiety over CPAP

Anxiety over CPAP

6ptstar ~ TRY A DIFFERENT SYTLE MASK!