Hello, I know this has probably been asked many times, but I was diagnoised with Sleep Apnea 4 years ago after under going a sleep study. I got the CPAP machine and TRIED using it numerous times with the same results. PANIC ATTACKS!  I feel like I'm suffocating and end up pulling it off in usually less than a minute. I was using tubing that went up my nose and hated it and told my wife I was done with it and refused to return to the doctor to discuss it. Ended up the CPAP machine sat in the closet until a week ago. My Apnea has gotten to the point where I can only sleep about 2 hours before waking up gasping for air.
Went to my regular doctor and he gave me a new prescription for a MASK this time. Ended up get a "ComfortFull 2 Full Face Mask" hoping it would be better.
Ended up with the same results. My CPAP maxs out at 8 and even when it's ramped down to 4, I feel like I'm suffocating! I can breath in fine, but cannot exhale easily? Is this normal? If I could breath in and out easily, then I think I might be able to tolerate it better. I start feeling like I'm trapped under a house or something and cannot breath and end up having a severe panic attack and pull it off. This again happens within a couple of minutes. I can't imagine using it when it ramps up to 8. The end result is a night of approx 2 hours sleep over a 7 hour period and feeling like I'm having a chest pains. I don't know what else to do or try? I'm a 50 year old male and am over weight at 250lbs ( 6'1 ). PLEASE....any and all suggestions would be appreciated. Is there hope for me?
Mike O.
Indiana

Mike...many have problems in the beginning...many over come those problems.  Anxiety is one of the biggest issues but you can get through it...I have seen so many do it...and worse anxiety cases than yours.

Here is one trick that works well... bring the machine & mask out to where you watch TV...out of the bedroom.  Sit in your favorite spot, put the mask on, turn the machine on and sit and watch TV...rent a movie, anything to keep your mind off the mask and machine.  Don't do it for just a few minutes.  Do it for a few hours and everyday until your anxiety over it is gone.

Another thing to try...while in bed with it on...have a fan pointed towards you...so you feel air moving around you...plus the white noise helps drown sounds.

Your mind seems to be concentrating on your breathing...you need to be able to wear it without even thinking about having it on...without thinking about your breathing.

Easier said than done, I know...but you can do it...and hopefully you know now the medical reasons as to why you need to....it's not just about being a little tired or snoring...those are only signs of SA.

You will not suffocate with the mask and xPAP on.  $ is a VERY low pressure...I personally would have to turn on full pressure...matter of fact, I do not use the ramp...I go straight to my pressure of 13.

Do you have any other conditions/disorders?


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CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

I had the same issues at first but worked through them. What helped me was having a fan blowing on my face. If I felt hot at all I felt like I was sufficating. If you can't work through it maybe talk to the doc about your anxiety and maybe he can give something to you for it. Or see if by chance you can get a bipap that the pressure changes as you breath out so you do not feel sufficating at all.


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Severe Central & Obstructive Sleep disordered breathing
AHI:116.4
Lowest Sat 85% High96.1%
Total Central,Obst,& mixed 190/hr
Out of that total 66 were Hypopneas
IpapMin7 max16 Epap6
Bipap Auto SV
Resmed Mirage Swift II

Thanks for your suggestions....I will try both tonight using the CPAP machine in our living room with the TV on as well as a fan blowing towards me. I'll post how it all worked for me. Sure appreciate your taking the time to repy to this post. Any others that read this.,having this same issue, please post to me as well. ( I would certainly feel better knowing this isn't just a ME problem. )

Do you have any other conditions/disorders?

Just underwent a Heart Ablation Surgery last week to cure an irratic heart rate, Had to be shocked   with the paddles 7 times during the procedure, but doing well from that. Only Medication I use is something called Piroxicam, which is for Osteo Arthritis. Have a herniated disc and a ruptured disc in my back and occasionally use a Vicotin, but only when I'm having alot of pain associated with it.
Pretty healthy other than that.  

Mike,

First, you will be fine.  We see this response all of the time.

Your untreated OSA has done more than disrupted your sleep.  It very likely could be the cause of your heart arrhythmia.  Does your cardiologist know you have untreated apnea?  Untreated apnea has clearly been shown to cause cardiovascular disease including heart arrhythmias.
The Cardiovascular and Metabolic Effects of OSA

Also read Harley Howard's story.  He nearly died from his arrhythmias on numerous occasions and they were completely due to his untreated OSA.
Personal Stories

Additionally, on a personal note, both my brother and I have arrhythmias that are made worse when our OSA is not treated.

Also, untreated OSA causes weight gain for several reasons, one of which is the alteration of hormone levels.  So your weight is not your fault.

As far as your panic goes, what kind of CPAP do you have?  If you feel like you can not exhale, then Respironics and ResMed CPAP have functions on them which allows for a brief drop in pressure when you exhale.  The feature on Respironics’ CPAPs is called C-Flex and ResMed’s EPR (Exhalatory Pressure Relief).  Since your CPAP is older, you may not have that function.  If not, see if you can get a new one with these features and all the other bells and whistles now available.

People sometimes think they have to breathe differently with a CPAP, but really the goal is to breathe so normally, that you just forget about it.  The suggestions are all great, I would just add to take normal slow, deep breathes and try to relax.  The suggestions to distract yourself doing something else are great.  You are not suffocating.  You can put your hand up to your mask and feel the air rushing out to convince yourself of that.

You also need a new sleep study to assess the status of your apnea.  I have annual follow-up studies and something always needs changing.  It is very likely that you will need a pressure adjustment.  If you do not have a doctor for your OSA who specializes in sleep disorders, than I highly recommend that you find one.

When you are compliant and able to comfortably use your CPAP, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel and your body will begin to heal.  People say they feel like they have reclaimed their lives and as sick as you are, I am sure you will feel that way as well.  Just getting better may be motivation enough to get you over your panic.  People who have felt as you do come back to say they can’t imagine going one sleeping second without their CPAP now.

But I want you to understand that it has taken years for your health to degenerate to where it is today and so it may take awhile before it begins to heal and you notice changes.  Just watch out for the small changes, not being so tired in the afternoons, no morning headaches (if you have them), etc.

Keep us posted on your progress!!

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

MikeO What Vicki has just said just about covers it all! You do need to have a new sleep study done, it has been to long a period without treatment, so that  should be done soon. You might be a candidate for BiPAP, that definitely would help make breathing out easier. Also talk with your doctor about the panic attacks, and have your wife wife with you so she can describe to the doctor what  you go thru. It always helps to have the opinion and observations of some one who has observe the patient. The doctor could even prescribe a temporary medication to keep you calm and help control the panic attacks during the first few days or weeks of treatment, till you get used to it. Bottom line is you need to get back on track treating the Sleep Apnea. Good Luck to You


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White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

Hi Mike O!  Mrs Rip Van Winkle, mlwl2001, Vicki, and White Beard explained things in the best ways.  I too, had some anxiety when I first started CPAP.  I have a C-flex which really helped me.  If a C-flex doesn't work for you, ask abut a Bi-pap.  There is a lot of information here about Bi-paps.  I use a fan at night when I sleep.  My young son loves to be the DJ at bedtime, and he loads a continuous menu of classical music for me to have when I sleep.  (He discovered my sleep apnea!) With time, you will become conditioned to the mask too-think of it like trying on new shoes on your feet-except things are little 'upside down here'-it's kind of like wearing a shoe on your face!  A little strange, but OK! Lantern4life

Mike, we're of similar age and size and I just wrapped up my third week on CPAP.  When the machine first switches on it does sort of fight you.  I have c-flex enabled on mine and it takes a short while for the machine to figure out when you exhale to reduce pressure.  As your breathing gets shallower, once you're about to fall asleep, you hardly notice it at all.  I think the suggestion about wearing the mask while you're awake is a good one.  Just relax, you won't suffocate.  None of us have yet.  Good luck!


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REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

Hello
My heart arrhythmia was cured last week by doing a procedure called a radio frequancy Heart Ablation. The cardiologist determined I was born with a extra electrical pathway that was causing a electrical conflict with my heart beat which was causing it to go up to 300 beats a minute (Not Fun). Been a week now and the 6 hour procedure they did seems to have worked, they actually burned the area where the extra pathways were, so that's one less issue I no longer need to worry about!
I tried everyones suggestions last night and may I say Thank You! Although I wasn't able to keep the mask on until it ramped up to it's full amount, I estimate that kept it on for around 15 minutes before the sensation of getting hot and suffocating hit me. I also ajusted the mask so that it wasn't so tight against my face which helped alot. I think I had a couple of leaks, but I will try to tighten them as this gets easier.
Far better than the "less than a minute" that I have experienced in the past which gives me hope. I know people say that with time, you don't even realize you have it on...seems hard to believe, but I certainly hope it does the same for me.
I have made another appointment with a sleep doctor. (My previous doctor is no longer in the area), so as was stated, maybe the treatments, machines and all have changed since I was first treated for this.
The CPAP machine that I currently am using it called a RESPIRONICS REMstar C-FLEX. Don't know if that is considered a antique by todays standards or not?
I will continue to use everyones suggestions to get through this. AND I JUST WANT TO AGAIN SAY "THANK YOU" TO EVERYONE, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP ME WITH THIS. I was ready to just throw it back into the closet again and deal with it by not sleeping each night. By using this forum, I now feel my future may be a bit ore promising than it was before.
Mike O.  

Sorry...I listed my CPAP machine wrong. It is a Respironics REMstar C-Flex PLUS.  

http://remstarplus.respironics.com/

( I didn't see the "PLUS" on it before ).
I cannot find my manual for it, but from the last post from "YAWN",  I'm trying to understand.....does the C-Flex regulate itself to how you are exhaling?
If so...maybe that will help. Again, I've not left it on long enough for it to ramp up to full which in my case it set at 8.  I see some people have theirs set far far higher. I can't imagine it being higher as 8 scares me to death!
Take Care
Mike O.

MikeO go to the Respironics web site you  can down load the users manual at there site. it might take some searching but I am sure that it is there! Good Luck


_________________
White Beard with a White Beard
Resmed VPAP Adapt SV Enhanced, HumidAire 2i, ResLink with Model 8000 Flex sensor Pulse Oximeter, and ResScan 3.5 software. Respironic EverFlo OPI Oxygen Concentrator 3 lpm
EEP 9.0, min PS 6.0, max PS 16.0

It is an older machine, but it still has c-flex.  The c-flex will reduce exhale pressure.  It may not have been enabled on your machine, but could be activated by a technician.  You probably have 3 settings.  3 should give the least amount of exhale pressure.  Your prescribed pressure setting is what kept our apneas from occurring when you had your sleep study and there is a lot of variation.  Since your sleep study was 4 years ago, you may now need more pressure than 8 to stop your apneas today.  Only another sleep study can determine that.  If you machine has a smart card, the sleep doc can see what's going on as the machine does detect apneas and writes your data to the card which can be downloaded and viewed to see if you're in an acceptable range or not.  If I were you, I would try to get used to your current pressure and the machine before you get retitrated.


_________________
REMStar Pro M w/ c-flex and heated humidifier
ResMed Swift LT nasal pillow
Encore View Software
12 cm H20, 13 cm H20
CPAP start date: June 4, 2008

You know Mike...You may think this is crazy due to your fear of the pressure of 8...BUT...usually when one feels like they are suffocating and the mask is hot is due to the ramp pressure being too low.  You may consider trying to sit and watch YV without the ramp on...go directly to the 8.  Hold the mask out a liitle from your face, letting it blow on you until you get comfortable then put it a little closer.

The pressure of 8 is no different then a strong summer breeze...or the wind hitting your face riding a bicycle.

The other thing is...does your machine have a humidifier?  If so, do you have it turned on?  Is it heated?  The heated part may be bothering you.

Just more ideas!


_________________

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO~ http://tinyurl.com/69q52a

BiPAP Auto M 13/8 Mirage Nasal Swift. 20 years+ undx'd. RLS/PLMD, Hypersomnia & more.

Mike,

I was going to say the same thing as Mrs. RVW.  The feeling of suffocating may actually be the opposite of what you think.  Try it both ways.  I feel like I am suffocating if my pressure is suboptimal because, well I am.  I can't stand the ramp and go straight to full pressure for that reason.  I'm a full pressure all the time kind of person.  I can't even stand C-flex.  A Respironics sale rep. once tried to convert me over to C-flex, I told her I hated it.  She joking said "oh, you are one of those air junkies".

You have a lot of options here and I promise you that if you keep trying different things, you will find something that works for you.  So some of your options are:
ramp + C-flex
no ramp + C-Flex
ramp + staying calm and forgetting your breathing
no ramp + staying calm and forgetting your breathing
etc.

Eight is a low pressure.  Mrs. RVW gives a great analogy, if you just visualize a summer breeze, the wind in your face on a bike ride, or in my case, a sea breeze coming in off the ocean.  My pressure was just lowered (I've lost weight) from 14 to 9.  When it was 14, I just had to think about being in a raging thunderstorm, which I love (still hated the wind though).  Keep doing something to distract yourself (reading, watching TV, etc.) if that is helpful for you.  You can't forget that something is on your face, but you can forget, and will, about your breathing (although now you might have to think about it so you take regular, slow deep breaths).

I am now expecting daily progress reports as you learn to love, bond, connect and appreciated your new closest friend .

Vicki


_________________
That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.