Having trouble

Dana · Post by **Dana** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 3:58 pm

I have recently been diagnoised with OSA. I did ok with the first sleep lab but when I had to go back for the 2nd lab to get fitted for the CPAP and the mask, I freaked out and had a serve panic attack. I am prone to panic attacks and am very clostrophobic. The sleep doc sent me home with the resmed liberty machine. She said it would regulate itself to my breathing. I am having a terrible time getting adjusted to this machine. I feel like I am suffociating. I know this is going to take sometime but I fear my panic will take over and I will stop trying to use the machine. I really want to conquer this but not sure if I can. Does anyone have any suggestions or has anyone been in a similar situation? Please help.

Thanks,
Dana

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:23 pm

The best suggestion that I have read on this forum and others, is to disconnect your mask from the machine and try wearing it while you are watching TV in the evening or reading. Don't worry, the mask will allow you to breathe the room air at normal pressure. Wear it for short periods during the day to get used to the feeling of having it on your face. If it bothers you, take it off and try again later.

Also, check out the Collective Wisdom and CPAP FAQs at the top of this page. There is a lot of helpful advice in them both.

And welcome to the forum and the road to recovery. Don't fear the small steps, and know that there are many here willing to offer assistance and directions.

Susan

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:27 pm

Dana, take a look at the top of your Resmed xPAP and tell us what it says. To my knowledge the Resmed Liberty is not a model of xPAP, but rather a CPAP mask made by Resmed which consists of a combination of nasal pillows and a mouth cushion.

You have the determination and the right attitude, the folks here in the forum can get you thru this. But we do need to know just which machine you really do have, which mask you are using and it would help to know which pressure setting(s), if you know them.

I'm taking a wild guess, due to the comment it would regulate itself to your breathing that you most likely have been given a Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage for an autoPAP device and the Resmed Liberty mask. And further guess that the pressure range for the Vantage has been set at 4 cms to 20 cms. And go one step further and guess that the 4cms pressure range is too low to allow you to breathe comfortably.

Talk to your sleep doctor and explain what is happening and ask about the lower 4 cms of pressure being raised to at least 5 cms, better yet 6 cms, of pressure. Very few people can breathe comfortably at less than a minimum pressure of 5 cms w/a CPAP mask on.

PerChanceToDream's suggestion of wearing your CPAP mask during the day whilst occupied w/something else than wanting to get to sleep is often a good one. BUT NOT w/a full face mask, nor even a hybrid type of full face mask. Don't try to wear any type of full face mask w/o your machine being on and being hooked to your machine. With a nasal pillows or a nasal cushion you can do so because you can breathe thru your mouth whilst wearing it w/o the CPAP and you are just wearing it to get used to the feel of it on your face.

sleepycarol · Post by **sleepycarol** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:27 pm

It also won't hurt to set your machine in front of your tv. Put your mask on, turn the machine on, and try to concentrate on something other than the mask and machine.

Try to breathe naturally.

Read under the red question mark and the yellow light bulb for additional advice and support.

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:36 pm

Right on, SleepCarol. W/a full face or hybrid full face type mask this is the only way to do it. WITH THE MACHINE ON. And it DOES help!

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:56 pm

My husband tried the mask alone at first to get over some of the claustrophobic feelings that he had. Then he progressed to trying it with the machine on.

I didn't have any problems, so I wasn't writing from personal experience and perhaps Slinky and Carol are right that you should have the machine on when you try on the mask.

Susan

Dana · Post by **Dana** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:17 pm

I have the ResMed S8 Auotset Vantage, the ResMed Mirage Liberty FF mask and the ResMed HumidAire 3i. My pressures are set between 8 to 16.
I am still very new to this so it will try me awhile to learn the lingo. Thanks for all your advice. Just having this site to got to helps alot. I do have a doc appt on Monday with my internist. He is the one who suggested I go thru the sleep lab. I will let hime know of my troubles also. Again thanks. It's a comfort knowing I have somewhere to go for advice.

Dana

Slinky · Post by **Slinky** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:23 pm

Well, I can't speak for your mask as I'm not a fan of nasal pillows. However, you have one heck of a good device w/that Resmed S8 AutoSet Vantage! I have both a Vantage and the Resmed S8 Elite w/EPR straight CPAP and love them both!

Your doc has some savvy seeing as how your pressure range is set at 8 cms to 16 cms. So many send a patient home w/an auto set wide open at 4 cms to 20 cms.

Will your DME supplier be doing a download of your data to printout and provide to your Internist? You'll need that data to have any real idea of what is going on and what can be done to help you w/the breathing. Be sure you get a copy of the data download printout as well. That will give us some definitive info to work with and what our thoughts may be. Do let us know how your visit goes.

PerChanceToDream, you were NOT wrong, IF Dana was using a nasal cushion or a nasal pillows mask. That could be a first step and when comfortable w/the mask on and the machine off, the reason being you can breathe thru your mouth w/those types of masks. The next step could be w/both mask and machine on as needed.

But w/the full face masks, and Dana's is a hybrid full face mask w/both nasal pillows AND a cushion over the mouth, you can NOT get sufficient fresh air AND not enough of the exhaled carbon dioxide air is expelled and you end up re-breathing it.

gasp · Post by **gasp** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:31 pm

If you are able to afford two masks, you may want to try a nasal mask. I use a FF mask for when my allergies stuff up my nose (although I've had little allergies after using a the nasal rinse system neti pot). Anyway, when I wear the FF mask I sometimes feel like tearing it off and tossing it. A bit of claustrophobic feeling coupled with discomfort.

I love my nasal mask and even that took a couple of months to get used to it. Glad you're on the forum. It's a good resource that should contribute to you being successful in your xPAP therapy.

Best wishes!

Perchancetodream · Post by **Perchancetodream** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:35 pm

Slinky wrote:
PerChanceToDream, you were NOT wrong, IF Dana was using a nasal cushion or a nasal pillows mask. That could be a first step and when comfortable w/the mask on and the machine off, the reason being you can breathe thru your mouth w/those types of masks. The next step could be w/both mask and machine on as needed.

But w/the full face masks, and Dana's is a hybrid full face mask w/both nasal pillows AND a cushion over the mouth, you can NOT get sufficient fresh air AND not enough of the exhaled carbon dioxide air is expelled and you end up re-breathing it.

That is good to know, Slinky, since both my husband and I wear the Hybrids and have both worn them without the hose. My husband wore it to get used to it and I wear it during bathroom breaks (where a little CO2 probably doesn't hurt).

Thanks,
Susan

JWALSH2689 · Post by **JWALSH2689** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:49 pm

Take my advise with a grain of salt as tonight will be 4th night on CPAP, but I find that the ramp feature makes me breathe harder than normal which may aide your clostraphobia. I also find that I am waiting and anticipating for the presure to rise throught the ramp process so I turned the ramp time to "off."

If you are using the ramp, you may want to try starting off the night with it turned off.

Best of luck!

Dana · Post by **Dana** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 7:50 pm

It's nice to hear that I have a good machine. Are my air pressures ok or should I talk to the doc about different settings? I have tried to use it once and I paniced so I took it off. Right now I just need to get past the whole mask issue and ease my way into this so I don't give up. I am going to talk to my internist on Monday about my panic attacks to see if he an help me. I have an appoinment at the end of February with the sleep doc . A couple of days before I go back to her I am suppose to go to the place I got the machine and the guy there will run a report from the machine. He said he would send it to her and to my internist. I will ask for a copy for myself too. Thanks for all the advice and support. This is really helpng me feel alittle better about this whole adventure.

Dana

bearcatx16 · Post by **bearcatx16** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:09 pm

I don't know how to quote everyone above, but, there is some good advise above me.

My first try with the mask lasted less than 90 secs., after being all hooked up. My Dr. called the next day and asked what was wrong. Me, I don't like that mask on my face. Him, come get a machine and mask and practice while sitting around, taking a nap and if brave try sleeping with it. 3 mos later sleep lab, mask on, wore it for 3 hours, did not sleep went home, came back again with 10mg ambien and made it through the night. Continue to read, practice relax. I am now good to go and don't hesitate with the mask now with over a 7 hr avg of sleep a night. Might take a look at http://www.pur-sleep.com, I don't go anywhere without it.

Best of luck

Fred

Dana · Post by **Dana** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 6:11 pm

I saw my internist today. He gave me some nasal spray to clear up my nasal congestion. He thinks that could be interferring with my CPAP. I did talk to him about my panic with all of this. He told me to keep trying the way I am going but if I can't get passed my panic in a week or so to call him and he would send me to do some Bio feeds and possibly hypnosis. He told me that we would keep trying to find a way for me to get passed this. He said he has had other patients go thru the same thing with the CPAP and most of them have found a way to get passed their intial panic. He also thought I should have my pressure lowered to 6 or possilby 4 instead of 8 to begin with. He doesn't want to put me on any anti anxiety meds because they can lower your breathing while you sleep. Thought Iwould update you.
Have a great evening!!!

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