New to Cpap, how to breathe? Feels like I'm suffocating

This is my second nite using the nasal pillow Cpap. My pressure Is only 7. I just don't know how to breathe with this on, I feel like I need to cough, it feel like I'm suffocating. I know I'm suppose to keep my mouth closed but I feel it NEEDS to be open so I can breathe better. Advice anyone? Please help.

chin strap will help,plus if you have a ramp on it it gets easier the longer it runs ,mine does anyway ,but mine feels like that a little bit in the start

Jehzara wrote:This is my second nite using the nasal pillow Cpap. My pressure Is only 7. I just don't know how to breathe with this on, I feel like I need to cough, it feel like I'm suffocating. I know I'm suppose to keep my mouth closed but I feel it NEEDS to be open so I can breathe better. Advice anyone? Please help.

I felt like I was suffocating when I first started, and it was for two reasons. First, my pressure range was 4-14. 4 was too low and I felt as if I couldn't get enough air and would occasionally open my mouth to breathe. The second reason I felt I was suffocating was that at the higher pressures, I couldn't exhale against the pressure and would begin to panic. The resolutions suggested on this site which solved the problem were to increase my lowest pressure to 5, and to change my EPR (Exhalation Pressure Relief... am least I believe that's the acronym) from 2 to 3. EPR decreases the pressure when exhaling. I needed the maximum relief available.

Solved all my issues relating to that suffocating feeling.

Practice wearing it while you watch TV so you get used to wearing it and breathing with it on. If you use the Ramp feature try turning it off so you get more pressure at first.

Chris

Thanks for all of your suggestions, I will try them all out. This is just so unnatural and uncomfortable for me. I just don't know if I can actually do this every nite.

Jehzara wrote:Thanks for all of your suggestions, I will try them all out. This is just so unnatural and uncomfortable for me. I just don't know if I can actually do this every nite.

You can! It will become "natural" and comfortable in time. I've been using my APAP for three months, and don't think a thing of it when I go to bed now. It has made incredible changes in my life, I am so grateful to have been diagnosed and to have a treatment with no side effects, solves the problem, and is wonderfully habit-forming.

Hyperventilate just prior to putting your mask on. Then lay down and relax.

Jehzara wrote:Thanks for all of your suggestions, I will try them all out. This is just so unnatural and uncomfortable for me. I just don't know if I can actually do this every nite.

It is just as natural as wearing shoes or a bra or eyeglasses or driving a car.

There was an interesting thread by a nurse who worked in OR. They wear masks too and have exactly the same issues. It is mostly psychological, your mind learns after a while that you can safely breath with this mask on. Learning this is much preferable to the possibility of having a stroke and having someone change your adult diapers for you.

I take about 4 or 5 very deep breaths as soon as the blower starts and then relax. I think it has to do with the initial pressure differential and taking a few initial deep breaths to fill your lungs completely helps to stabilize the pressure difference between your mask interface and your lungs and minimizes that feeling of air deprivation.

Jehzara wrote:This is my second nite using the nasal pillow Cpap. My pressure Is only 7. I just don't know how to breathe with this on, I feel like I need to cough, it feel like I'm suffocating. I know I'm suppose to keep my mouth closed but I feel it NEEDS to be open so I can breathe better. Advice anyone? Please help.

I've had the same experience with nasal pillows, instant panic. Going up in size did help, but for now it's a nasal mask--Try a nasal or a full face, lots of options out there. The important thing is to have something that you are comfortable with. Find something that works for now and come back to the pillows later.

For whatever reason, right from Day 1, I was exceedingly comfortable with the nasal pillows. As bizarre as it may sound, I am finding (after two weeks) that using it not only doesn't bother me but is somewhat comforting. I honestly don't notice that it's on at night and my sleep has been MUCH better. My pressure runs from 6-12 and when I first put it on, I worry that it's not running because 6 seems too low and I wind up checking two or three times to make sure air is flowing. Hang in there and stick with it.

I'm the same way, nasal pillows were super easy since day 1. I don't want to use anything else.

Jehzara,
Welcome to the forum! To help us better help you, please register & go to the User Control Panel & add your machine, humidifier & mask types. That way we are all on the same page. See my info in blue at the end of my post.

Adjusting is hard for some people, well actually most people. I have been on CPAP 13 yrs & I remember how hard it was for me. Lately I've been batteling leakes & mouth breathing, so I do understand how difficult change can be. My hubby was diagnosed & started CPAP in Dec 2012 & took to it like a duck to water. And he is using a full face mask! It happens to some folks, that they find it easy. It is RARE for someone to find the change easy, so don't feel like you are alone, most of us here had a hard time adjusting & still struggle with various aspects of our treatment. There are some great folks on this forum who will help you, just remember to register & add your info, so we can help you with this journey.

Again, welcome!
Jen

If you stick with or go back to the nasal pillows, here's a few quick tips: On the old packaging from ResMed it showed how to adjust the pillows to direct the air up into the nasal cavities. Here's how to do it and it's always worked for me. Grab one of the pillows (the part that touches your nostril) using your thumb and forefinger - cock it upwards a few degrees - it doesn't take much but you will instantly feel the air penetrate your nasal cavities. Do the same with the other pillow. It's the first thing I do once I get my straps adjusted and lay my head down. Also don't get your straps too tight so that your nostrils 'pooch' out. I also use Lansinol to help make a good seal.

Hi - I'm also fairly new (@ 2 weeks). Here's my insight - For me, it's the same feeling as going snorkeling. You feel like you can't get enough air. A lot of it is just psychological (again - my experience). It took me a few days to actually sleep with the machine. The first night, I sat reading and held the mask about 8" away from my face to get used to the feeling of the air blowing on my face. I gradually moved it closer until I could put it over my nose without that claustrophobic feeling. I had to repeat the procedure the first few niights, but now it's not a problem. I hope this helps!!