Second try for a CPAP titration and nervous

I was diagnosed with moderate CSA with apoxia a few weeks ago and attempted a CPAP titration about 2 weeks ago that I had to stop in the middle. I felt like I was suffocating so bad I was only able to stay until 2:30am before practically ripping the mask off. We did try several masks and various pressures and nothing felt even remotely tolerable. I developed a bad cold that turned into Bronchitis so the doctor said it wasn't a valid titration anyway and tonight I have another appointment to try again. I'm 95% over the bronchitis, only a minor cough every so often. However, I'm worried that I will have a similar reaction tonight. I'm looking for any advice that can help me survive through the night with some rest. For comparison, during the sleep study, I slept like a baby with all the wires hooked up. That doesn't bother me, but the feeling of not being able to breathe and being forced to tolerate it the entire night is frightening. I know it will take time to adjust to CPAP treatment, but at least once I have my own machine at home, I can ween myself onto it and work with being comfortable. What can I do to prepare myself for the entire night on the machine?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am sure that there are others here that will have better advice (I'm a newb), the only thing I can think of is to ask them to give you the smallest possible mask. Nose pillows take up the lease real estate on your face. If that doesn't work, you can go to a nasal mask before going to FFM.

What type of mask did you have during your 1st titration?

We tried three different masks. First was a nasal only with chin strap. I haven't seen any that look just like it, but it looks like most of the typical nasal masks on CPAP.com. After that, we tried two full masks, one I think was the mirage quattro. One had a soft inflatable lining and the other was hard. They both had problems with leaking though. The leaking actually was what made it tolerable to me. The leak felt like a fan inside the mask, which I always sleep with a fan directed at my face. I was hoping that the CPAP would feel like a fan, but unfortunately it doesn't.

Ask for titration on a bipap similar to S9 VPAP Auto. These machines are much easier for the sensitive to tolerate since they can be set to seem nonexistent during exhale.

I too felt nervous and afraid of suffocating. The sleep tech gave me a full face mask at first and I had it on for about 10 seconds before I yanked it off. I wasn't too sure about the other ones she brought me either - then she decided to let me alone for about an hour - she had another patient she needed to hook up for the night - and I just sat on the bed and put the different masks on and just breathed without the cpap machine going - I went through all the masks and came up with one that "I" felt comfortable with - maybe because I was left alone and didn't feel like I had to make a decision in a rush. I have to say that because the sleep tech was so considerate of my feelings, I am comfortable with my choice and I am using the nasal mask every night. Good luck!!!

cdmeowme57, great idea. I will get there with more than an hour to spend before starting. I'll ask to do the same thing. Thanks!

Would a sleep aid help you get through the night? I needed an Ambien to start with and an antihistamine in the middle of the night, but I finished the titration. I didn't get a chance to try on masks at all so I think it will be a big help if YOU can choose what you wear. Good Luck!

Teri

I never take sleeping aids so I'd be leery of using one tonight. I'm thinking I may take some benadryl though. It tends to put me asleep when I use it.

Come to think about it, my tech did the same thing. Left me alone for a while with the masks. I chose full face though because I thought I was a mouth breather, turns out I'm not and will be starting with a nasal mask tonight.

The second time went great. I arrived and discussed with the tech what happened the previous time. She thought I'd do well with a nasal pillow so she let me try one on and it seemed ok. I laid there for about 45 minutes using it on a 4 setting while she worked with another patient. Once the study began, I was out in probably 10 minutes and more or less slept the entire night. There were several light awakenings where my mouth opened up some, but otherwise no problems. When I mentioned it to the tech this morning she said it was probably do to the higher pressure she was testing. She couldn't give any more details other than it worked well and there were good results. I should have the results in a couple of days and go from there.

That is GREAT news! Glad the tech listened to you. I tried a nasal mask last night and it did not go well. I will post in a separate trhead.

I hope this will be the answer for you!

I'm so glad it went well! One more hurdle behind you on your road to recovery!

Glad to hear the second titration test went well. (Actually it sounds like it went exceptionally well.)

And so now is the time to start doing your homework about your insurance, DMEs, and making sure you get a machine you WANT to sleep with for the next five years or so.

Start by reading and re-reading What you need to know before your meet your DME by JanKnitz. Lots of good info and advice.

Next, JanKnitz also has a guide to Data Capable Machines that is up-to-date and reflects what's on the market now.

With this information, you should be able to navigate through the waters of untrustworthy DMEs and get the machine of your choice.

In my opinion, your main question should be if you have a plain OSA or CSAS, or Cheyne Stokes Respiration, or Periodic Breathing, or Complex Apnea.

If you indeed have a version of Central Apnea Syndrome then you should get the proper XPAP and be treated by a knowledgeable "SLEEP DOC".

Most Sleep Clinics and Sleep Docs don't know how to go about diagnosing and treating it (imo, on this board, only the poster John Fisher knows how to deal with it).

Good luck.