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Claustrophobia problem
I was given a full face mask at the sleep lab and was slightly uncomfortable but was able to sleep 6 hours straight without a problem.
I received my machine at home last Wednesday. The first 2 nights of sleep went very well, just like the sleep lab. I slept for 6-7 hours before taking the mask off. The problem started on the 3rd night. I fell asleep and about 1/2 hour later my husband clicked off his reading light. The click of the light woke me up and I found myself startled, confused and panicking. I was desperately trying to get the mask off of my face and finally was able to release the side strap. I jumped out of bed and felt so claustrophobic I couldn't get back in my bed never mind putting the CPAP back on.
I have had claustrophobia problems during sleep because of the apnea. I dream of drowning, being suffocated, being shoved in a corner face-first without enough air, each time waking feeling horribly claustrophobic. On those nights I would have to sleep sitting up on the couch downstairs. I was so happy to get my CPAP thinking that the days of claustrophobia were over.
Since that CPAP fright I have had a feeling in my throat like ball is in there and a general tightness around my neck like I have a turtle neck on that is too tight. I looked on the internet and from what I can tell I am having a Cricopharyngeal spasm from stress. I have only slept in my bed 2 nights since the CPAP incident each time waking up in the middle of the night feeling claustrophobic. I dread going to bed and find myself going wandering from my bedroom to my daughter's (she is at college) to the downstairs couch looking for relief from this closed in feeling. The more stressed I become the worse the lump in my throat gets and the more closed in I feel.
I am overwhelmed with all of the crazy psychological stuff going on just from sleeping. I have had a few consecutive nights of claustrophobia from sleep apnea, but nothing as dramatic as this. I think what is really stressing me the most is that I was excited and relieved to get the CPAP thinking my sleeping troubles were over and now I can't use the CPAP, I'm right back were I started from.
My game plan is to: use the CPAP a few minutes at a time during the day while watching tv; practice taking the mask on and off quickly; use a wedge pillow to sleep in a sitting up position until I am able to use my CPAP at night.
I can really use other suggestions. Has anyone else had a sudden claustrophobic problem with their CPAP? If so how did you deal with it?
I received my machine at home last Wednesday. The first 2 nights of sleep went very well, just like the sleep lab. I slept for 6-7 hours before taking the mask off. The problem started on the 3rd night. I fell asleep and about 1/2 hour later my husband clicked off his reading light. The click of the light woke me up and I found myself startled, confused and panicking. I was desperately trying to get the mask off of my face and finally was able to release the side strap. I jumped out of bed and felt so claustrophobic I couldn't get back in my bed never mind putting the CPAP back on.
I have had claustrophobia problems during sleep because of the apnea. I dream of drowning, being suffocated, being shoved in a corner face-first without enough air, each time waking feeling horribly claustrophobic. On those nights I would have to sleep sitting up on the couch downstairs. I was so happy to get my CPAP thinking that the days of claustrophobia were over.
Since that CPAP fright I have had a feeling in my throat like ball is in there and a general tightness around my neck like I have a turtle neck on that is too tight. I looked on the internet and from what I can tell I am having a Cricopharyngeal spasm from stress. I have only slept in my bed 2 nights since the CPAP incident each time waking up in the middle of the night feeling claustrophobic. I dread going to bed and find myself going wandering from my bedroom to my daughter's (she is at college) to the downstairs couch looking for relief from this closed in feeling. The more stressed I become the worse the lump in my throat gets and the more closed in I feel.
I am overwhelmed with all of the crazy psychological stuff going on just from sleeping. I have had a few consecutive nights of claustrophobia from sleep apnea, but nothing as dramatic as this. I think what is really stressing me the most is that I was excited and relieved to get the CPAP thinking my sleeping troubles were over and now I can't use the CPAP, I'm right back were I started from.
My game plan is to: use the CPAP a few minutes at a time during the day while watching tv; practice taking the mask on and off quickly; use a wedge pillow to sleep in a sitting up position until I am able to use my CPAP at night.
I can really use other suggestions. Has anyone else had a sudden claustrophobic problem with their CPAP? If so how did you deal with it?
Views: 72
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Lyons on
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I, myself, have never had the problem you are experiencing, though I have seen it expressed by others. It is a new sensation that you have not yet become accustomed to, however patience and a willingness to succeed will prevail. You might want to try wearing the mask alone during the daytime hours when you are relaxing or just doing simple tasks around the house. This may help you becoming accustomed to the fit and feel of the mask and instill confidence in the device. Maybe try a radio or other source of low level relaxing music may help in reducing your sensitivity to surrounding noises. Be willing to try and experiment. You will get the hang of it.
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Permalink Reply by Butch Hernandez on
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As a tech, I've seen this before. It's not unusual to have these feelings of confinement while getting used to CPAP. It does take time to get used to breathing with it. I have always advised pts to concentrate on breathing as normal as possible. Also, be patient with yourself and know that it will get easier! Have you ever tried a smaller mask? When confronted with a pt that has claustrophobia, I try to eliminate as much visual exposure to the mask as possible. Full face masks cover a lot of area! Given my last statement, I'd try a nasal pillow style mask to greatly decrease your visual exposure to the mask itself. I've noticed that Claus. pts tend to respond much better with reduced mask size. If you have time, practice wearing your mask while watching tv or something too! This allows you to get better used to it and it may help as a distraction as your mind could be more focused on what your seeing as opposed to what your doing. I hope that makes sense! Of course, it's just my opinion and these are some techniques I've used in the past with some degree of success. Hope this helps!
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Permalink Reply by Lynne O'Luanaigh on
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Hey JNK your response really helped me to put everything in perspective.
I gave myself a couple of days to calm down and get back in my own bed. For the next 2 days I used my machine during the day in front of the tv. I went 15 minutes the first day and 1 hour the second day. On the 3rd day I used the machine in bed at night went 1 hour rather than the 10 minutes I had planned on. Since then I have been using my machine about 3 hours at night but I have only dozed and do not fall into a deep sleep. After the 3 hours I take off the machine so I can get some sleep. I have been experimenting with different positions and pillows. I was using a wedge pillow under my regular pillow and found that the mask kept sliding down and really hurt the bridge of my nose. Without the wedge I don't get as much bridge pain.
So it has been 5 days that I have been using the machine at night for around 3 hours and all I do is doze, constantly waking. Is this all part of the process? Is my brain still learning to not worry about breathing? I am a little disappointed after experiencing 2 great nights when I first got my CPAP. I thought that once I got over the psychological effects of that one night when I panicked I would be back to where I was the first 2 nights and be able to sleep 6-7 hours straight.
j n k said:Try not to be too weirded out by your experience. I don't think it's all that uncommon. You have to train your brain that the mask is a good thing. Your brain knows it has had trouble with getting air in the past, so it is a little jumpy because it fears that could happen again. It has to learn that the thing on your face is what KEEPS that from happening and isn't something that might one day cause it to happen again. Your brain needs to learn that the mask is its friend, and it sounds like you have all the right ideas for letting it learn that.
Remember too that your brain has kept you alive by panicking you awake whenever you would stop breathing before treatment. It is used to panicking you awake, and still thinks that is its job. It may take a while for it to learn it doesn't have to do that anymore. Your brain will figure out what's going on if you give it time and can ride the roller coaster for a while. It may just be part of the process for you. Try to laugh at yourself when it happens and say reassuring things to yourself while breathing very deeply and slowly so that your brain recognizes that air is not a problem.
In other words, recognize that there is a sort of logic to what is happening. You may need to find things to do constructively to strap yourself in for the ride. You may even need some temporary meds to ride it out. But it should be a process that slowly corrects itself if you can find ways to deal in the meantime.
I hope it smooths out quickly for you. Try to see it as a good sign that things are changing, so you must be getting good PAP therapy.
jeff
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