I can't do this!!!

I just received my bipap a few weeks ago and I'm having a terrible time. I feel as though I am suffocating and I start to hyperventilate. I called the NP and she upped the pressure, it didn't help but now feels worse. I can't sleep and I'm feeling so discouraged and depressed. What should I do? Frustrated in Wisconsin Patty

What do you want to do? Quit? or make this work?

If you want to quit, not much we can do.

If you want to make this work start telling yourself "It can work" "I can do this".

Call the NP back and talk to them. Call the sleep clinic. Call the DME and talk to them.

Write more about why this is not working for you now and what it would take.

Start searching the forum too and be sure to read all the stuff in the Where a CPAP Newbie should start post (all the links too).

Good Luck.

Hi and welcome. Sounds like you're off to a rough start. For what it's worth, remember that a "start" is only that. My first 5 months were so rough I quit. Then I found my way here and got some helpful hints that enabled me to start over, with success! Turns out when I said I had a long ramp period at a pressure of 4, several here jumped in and said they feel they are suffocating at a pressure of 4 and I could increase it. And when I posted I fall asleep the instant my head hits the pillow but wake up suffocating within minutes, it was suggested I shorten my ramp period or turn it off so I could have therapeutic pressure as soon as I fell asleep. Why my sleep doc nor the RT at the DME couldn't suggest I increase my ramp pressure and decrease my ramp time I'll never know. And they never told me I could have had a data capable machine, then I would have known my pressure wasn't adequately addressing the apneas. Just telling you this to let you know if you give specific info, someone here may have dealt with your same issues.

If you would register with the forum and add your equipment to your profile it would help us know how to best help you. Or at least tell us your specific machine, settings, mask - anything that might help us be more targeted. You may be right - as things are now maybe you can't do this. Sometimes it is mind over matter, but often it minding those things that matter, like making sure the therapy is really doing what it is supposed to do and in the most comfortable way possible.

Sorry I can't help you sleep tonight. Just want you to know you're not in this alone and there is hope. There are very few who really CAN'T do this. Some rare examples I've read about on here are those whose airway was so tiny not even cpap was enough to make it adequate. These folks may need surgery to reposition their jaw to enlarge the airway. And I've heard of people being given masks that require nose breathing although they have a deviated septum that almost totally blocks air flow. Of course they will feel like they are suffocating, and if no one tells them they need a full face mask that accomodates mouth breathing, they're likely to give up. Unless you have extinuating circumstances, you can do this. Maybe not tonight or without some help, but hopefully very soon.

Kathy

Please give us more details What type of mask are you using? what type of machine? It does take time to get use to, There's a lot of
fantastic people here that can help you, so please fill in your equipment in your profile for we can help you.

You get out of it what you are willing to put into solving your problems. If you think you can't do this, then you are correct, this will apply to everything you do, not just XPAP.

If you want to do this, make up you mind that you can. Join in Fill in your profile in text not ICONNY, let us know what your settings are and more about yourself. using a Bi-PAP make it harder because of the added variables, but some others can help, having the software and reader to get full data from your machine is a good step. As Jules says reading is very useful. Quite a few here start with problems but attitude makes all the difference, we don't embrace guiters, but are more that happy to try to help. We can't do it for you you have to do it yourself. jim

Patty,
We have lots of knowledge and lots of tips to make it much better.
We can be much more helpful when we know your equipment: exact company name and model for both machine and mask. The machine details will be written on it, the mask's name maybe not.

Does your machine have an option called "Bi-Flex"? Are you using that option? It's a comfort option that works great for most people, be may cause hyperventilation in a minority of them. BIFLEX has 3 level, and either lessening its effect (3 is highest) or turning it totally off may help you.

There could be other reasons for your discomfort - I remember that sense of upset panic the first nights -- that's what sent me searching for help on the internet too - and people were then as they are now very willling to help.

You'll be OK. It may take a while, but nobody's going to leave you to choke -- don't worry.
O.

pete31988 wrote:...feel as though I am suffocating and I start to hyperventilate

Patty, is it "I can't get enough air" or "it's too much air"...both can be described as suffocating. I used to wake up in panic, heart racing, hot & flushed, rip off my mask and gulping huge breaths -- not pleasant so I sympathize with that awful feeling. My ramp is now set to 8 and I set it for 5 mins (I'm usually asleep before it goes to full pressure).

Lots of folks here with lots of experience and wisdom.

Welcome aboard!

Thank you, thank you all of you. I did call my NP, her advice was Ambien to help me fall asleep quickly. I want this to work, so to start I will start over by adding my info and getting more education. Truthfully I am disappointed in my NP, as for a doc I have yet to see one. So thanks for the encouragement and the "kick in the butt" as well to get off my pity pot. Be talking to you all more. Patty

You are probably having panic attacks They give you that" heart racing I can't breath in here feeling" Most people have a hard time when they have something over their face - it is a perfectly natural reaction. When you are asleep or just falling asleep your conscious mind which knows all about what you need is not in control, your inner toddler is and it is squealing "get this thing off my face". You may want to have some therapy if your insurance can cover it. Or you may want to pay for it your self to make sure you live long enough to make this work.

So thanks for the encouragement and the "kick in the butt" as well to get off my pity pot. Be talking to you all more. Patty

Go you, good attitude! As others have said, folks here can help, just keep posting & letting us know your issues. Or just to vent!

Your beliefs are the filters that shape your reality. All sensory input must pass through your belief system. If you BELIEVE that you can't do this... then you can't. Simple as that.

If you believe this will help you even though it may take some getting used to and some adjustment, then it will help you.

change your beliefs to change your life.

Simple as that.

I realize it may not be "Simple as that" for everyone, until they understand how beliefs work. The above was the Reader's Digest Condensed Version.