claustraphobia and cpap

Hello all: I am new to this CPAP thing and am having a huge problem because of my "fears". I have been given a full mask because of mouth breathing and I am not doing well at all. Any suggestions??? Thank you so much for any help. This looks like a great board to get some much needed answers.

First you need to register and list all of your equipment. This will let everyone here help you. Also list your pressure, AHI, and a bit of your pre-cpap story. This info is very helpful to those who have answers. The biggest thing to remember is don't give up! Some people do well from the start, some need more time. Here is a clickable link you should check out.

Mile High Sleepers Blog

Brenda

Welcome to the boards needlenana,

Do you know what kind of fears you have?

Is it the idea of anything in front of your face?

Is it fear of a mask, from a previous expereince?

Is it fear of strangulation from the head strap by your neck?

Is it the need to be able to see far?

Is it the panic of something heavy on your face?

Did you try on a mask and you could not breath through it, sending you in a panic?

Most of those fears/claustrophobia/panics are what I feel with interfaces on. I have yet to find the right interface that does not leak.

The one that I am most the most comfortable with is the Comfort Curve. I still want to the Nasal Aire II. If these two do not work, I may consider the Swift agian, I found it dried my nares at the DME, but I will be using a heated humidifier, (even if it is a resmed product)

For an interface, I would like to try on the hybrid. The mask starts below your nose. So I am hoping it will be ok for me.

The ComfortLite 2 was somewhat ok, but I felt this overwhelming desire to push the center part that goes upwards away from me.

Someone else who I talked to found the Nasal Aire type the best for them. I am curious about how noisy it is.

The best advice I can give you is to find a DME that lets you try on some masks without having bought them and has a good exchange on masks/interface after a month or so of home trial.

For mouth breathing, you may want to try taping it. (I have not done it, but many here do.) I have ready many post about chin straps, it either works or it does not. Not all chin straps are the same. (I have no experience with chin straps.)

What is the pressure you will be using, what is the mininum pressure for each of the interfaces you like.

I wish you much luck on your quest.

Keep us posted.

needlenana wrote:Hello all: I am new to this CPAP thing and am having a huge problem because of my "fears". I have been given a full mask because of mouth breathing and I am not doing well at all. Any suggestions??? Thank you so much for any help. This looks like a great board to get some much needed answers.

Hi needlenana,

It's not necessary to register, you can always just describe more about what you are using.

My only question is if you were given a full face mask right off, and not a nose-only mask. Did they switch masks on you in the sleep study, from a nasal mask to a full face mask? My pressure is so high that I couldn't mouth breath even if I wanted to! The pressure literally keeps my lips shut (something some of my friends would like to see happening during the daytime. lol ). The hybrid might be a good choice for a full face mask if you are claustrophobic.

The questions asked of you are good, it always helps to focus on the cause and type of panic associated with those claustrophobic feelings.

Full face masks are preferable for mouth breathing, IMHO, but if claustrophobia just doesn't go away, maybe a less claustrophobic nasal pillows and a chin strap might work. Just a thought. Chin straps don't always work for people but does work for some.

I too am claustrophobic........i began with a mask sitting in an upright position for a short amount of time with the sleep tech,,,,,,in the room for support and help with controlling my breathing........gradually i could leave the mask on longer and longer then i was able to lie down, I talked to myself constantly reassuring myself i would be ok.....yes, it is frightening but with time and positive affirmation it does work..........control of the breathing was hard but it did kick in after a short time.........good luck and hang in there.........

I had some problems with these feelings when I first wore my mask. One thing you can do is get a mask with quick release clips. (I use an Ultra Mirage full face). Then as soon as you begin to feel nervous, remind yourself "I can take this mask off with a single touch, any time I want to."

You can practise putting it on and taking it off until you can easily do it in the dark. Each time you will feel more confident to leave it on a little bit longer.

I was taught a relaxation technique to control these feelings too. I take in a deep breath and hold it, do a slow, silent count to 10, then breathe out very, very slowly. After doing this about 12 times, the claustrophobic feeling is usually gone.

After a few weeks, I was so used to the mask, I did not need to do this any more.

Good luck and keep on trying. It will be worth it.

...its all in your head

that is what my neuro says, wearing the cpap mask at night is like wearing those cheap chinese made tennis shoes from Wal-Mart (with the nylon tie thingee keeping them together still attached) and trying to walk.

But the nice part is you can take them off in the morning and be like normal again.

I would suggest wearing the mask some before you try to so to sleep.

In other words... the more and more you wear it, you will get use to it.

needlenana,

You've gotten some good suggestions already. There is a section on claustrophobia at http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/2 ... oices.html as well as tips on types of masks for claustrophobia.

I too had claustrophobia, caused by a pressure setting that was too low and fear of masks. It helped me to start with a nasal mask and then nasal pillows, following the good advice about quick release, practicing in the dark, and calming my fears. Now I'm able to tolerate a full face mask.

Maybe you'd also like http://smart-sleep-apnea.blogspot.com/2 ... apnea.html

I use a full face mask and also had claustrophobia at first. I found the Resmed Ultra Mirage Full Face mask was best. It has clips that are very fast to take off. Knowing I could take it of easily helped a lot.

I found cooler air also helped me be less claustrophobic. For that reason, I don't use a heater/humidifier. Of course, I live in an area that usually has humidity of 60% or more.