Feeling claustrophobic or anxiety when readying to sleep

Hello. I wanted to see if anyone else felt like this. First my sleep tech told me that the reason I am feeling the claustrophobic/anxiety was my body is reacting to my airway closing. It is not something psychological.

What happens is when I am readying for bed time I feel like I am feeling anxiety or closed in. I have to get out of bed and walk around. Open windows or even walk outside to get the closed in feeling to leave. Sometimes when I think of my teen years (I'm 36 now) I get these feelings as well. Odd I know.

I just wanted to know if anyone gets these feelings when nearing sleep time.

Thanks!

Yes.

Shortly after my father passed away and the rest of my life wasn't going particularly well either, I started having full blown panic attacks---including in the middle of work meetings---if certain thoughts crossed my mind even for the briefest periods. A visit to the psychologist got me through that, but ever since my mind has been "more fragile" than before. I've certainly learned to be more empathetic to people with mental disorders.

Anyway, when I was not using my CPAP I was particularly prone to episodes like you describe, which I thought felt somewhat like a mild anxiety attack. Getting ready to sleep seems to be the most likely time to get them. I don't know why.

Now that I'm being good with my CPAP again I seem to be less prone to having them.

My 2c of advice would be a quick visit to a good psychologist for an evaluation. If there is an issue that needs addressing, better to get it sorted out before it grows into a major problem.

I do see a therapist. But when I started on cpap these feelings subsided, like you. Also my restless legs started getting drastically better.

I know how you feel. Sometimes getting through the night can be an ordeal. I have been using cpap for 3 and half months now and it is getting better. You need to over come the physical problems first. The mask hurts,the blocked nose,the mouth opening,the marks on the face and nose, dragging the mask off and so on.

When you overcome them you will start to feel better. I tend to use some psychology on myself,I pretend the mask makes me sleepy and I cant resist it,a bit like going under in an operation,what can you do.