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Scared to wear my mask
Was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 10 months ago, and for some reason I am scared to sleep with my mask on. Sometimes I lye down for about 30 minutes before going to sleep with my mask on then it has to come off. I have tried the nose mask with the chin strap, didn't work, now I have a full mask and still no luck??? I have heart problems and recently had heart surgery, my elecrocardiologist stays on to me about the importance of the need for me to wear my mask, but it seams that no-one actually want to help me with learning to wear the mask. Anyone's Help will be more than Greatly Appreciated!
Views: 169
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Lee Longnecker on
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What is the fear of using your mask?
Is it exhaling against the pressure??
It may take a week or so to really get used to using it. But once you sleep with it a few nights, you should feel start to feel more rested, and even more comfortable wearing it.
There is a live chat at Thesleepwhisperer.net and I am sure some one can give you good real time advice.
Stick with it though, Especially if you have cardiac issues! It does get better over time
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Permalink Reply by Steven Cobb on
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I guess one thing that worries me is, "What do you do if you regurgitate while you are asleep and have the mask on?" I regurgitate sometimes while I am asleep and I dont know what will happen if I have the mask on, dont want to get choked with the mask on.
Lee Longnecker said:What is the fear of using your mask?
Is it exhaling against the pressure??
It may take a week or so to really get used to using it. But once you sleep with it a few nights, you should feel start to feel more rested, and even more comfortable wearing it.
There is a live chat at Thesleepwhisperer.net and I am sure some one can give you good real time advice.
Stick with it though, Especially if you have cardiac issues! It does get better over time
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Uless you are wearing a full face mask that should not be an issue. as your mouth would be free and clear.
If you have GERD you should only use a nasal mask.
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Do you know what your pressure is?
Steven Cobb said:I guess one thing that worries me is, "What do you do if you regurgitate while you are asleep and have the mask on?" I regurgitate sometimes while I am asleep and I dont know what will happen if I have the mask on, dont want to get choked with the mask on.
Lee Longnecker said:What is the fear of using your mask?
Is it exhaling against the pressure??
It may take a week or so to really get used to using it. But once you sleep with it a few nights, you should feel start to feel more rested, and even more comfortable wearing it.
There is a live chat at Thesleepwhisperer.net and I am sure some one can give you good real time advice.
Stick with it though, Especially if you have cardiac issues! It does get better over time
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Permalink Reply by Mary Z on
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Steven, I'd be worried about vomiting with my mask on, too, but the worse thing is probably that you'll have to clean the mask. Does it usually wake you up when you regurgitate during the night? One of the suggestions I've seen here is to wear your mask when you're not in bed, watching TV or something. That way you'll become accustomed to wearing the mask. Another thing is that if you have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux) and bile comes into your throat and mouth at night, if you've not been seen by a Dr. you should be (write down all your symptoms, what makes it better or worse) There are medicines for that. You can also raise the front end of your bed so it's slighty higher than the bottom which helps stomach contents stay where they belong (use bricks or board). Or use a pile of pillows to raise your head. We have some folks who also sleep in recliners so they're in a semi- sitting position. There is a correlation between GERD and sleep apnea. Your Dr. may also prescribe a light sedative for you to help you relax at night. You've come to a good place for advice, but if you haven't discussed this with whoever prescribed your CPAP, I urge you to talk to them. I've heard a lot of people on this forum having problems wearing their mask, you should get some good advice. It is important to use your CPAP, especially with a heart condition, but sometimes you have to go slow and then get up to speed. Good luck , Steven, and keep us posted.
Mary Z.
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Pressure is 6
Lee Longnecker said:Do you know what your pressure is?
Steven Cobb said:I guess one thing that worries me is, "What do you do if you regurgitate while you are asleep and have the mask on?" I regurgitate sometimes while I am asleep and I dont know what will happen if I have the mask on, dont want to get choked with the mask on.
Lee Longnecker said:What is the fear of using your mask?
Is it exhaling against the pressure??
It may take a week or so to really get used to using it. But once you sleep with it a few nights, you should feel start to feel more rested, and even more comfortable wearing it.
There is a live chat at Thesleepwhisperer.net and I am sure some one can give you good real time advice.
Stick with it though, Especially if you have cardiac issues! It does get better over time
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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on
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Try, like Mary suggested, wearing your mask while reading, watching television, etc. This will help you to get used to wearing hte mask, but you will be awake so your anxiety should be lessened about wearing it. Try a nasal mask or nasal pillows mask. Both of those masks leave your mouth open so that in case you throw up, you won't have the fear that it won't have any place to go but inside the mask. You may still have to wash the mask if some gets on it, but at least it won't be as messy. Find a mask that is easy for you to get off. Some masks are tricker than others and with an explanation to your doctor or DME they should be able to help guide you to one that is quick to remove. If you throw up and don't wake (my granddaughter has done this) immediately I can understand your anxiety issues. There are meds to help with vomiting and nauseau. Have you tried them? I know I am sometimes bothered with constant nauseau due to stress and have taken medication for it -- the same meds (we each have our own script) my son has used when he has bouts of multiple vomiting due to stress.
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Permalink Reply by Jan on
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I'll defer to the experts on here (not me!!!) but did want to raise a couple of questions on your behalf. Your original post says that you were diagnosed with Severe sleep apnea. I am wondering if the reported setting of 6 is consistent with a diagnosis of SEVERE (my emphasis) sleep apnea. I'm sure that this varies, just wondering if the experts would consider it unusual.
My own experience is that when the pressure is too low, I have a harder time breathing and more of a feeling of suffocating. As a result, I've stopped using the ramp feature set up on my machine.
Another suggestion is one that I got from someone who recently posted on SG...and that is to settle down in bed for a few minutes before attempting to breathe with the mask on. In other words, go through whatever ritual you do for getting yourself in bed and positioned with hoses, machines, eye masks, ayr gels, neck pillows blah blah...do absolutely everything except attaching the hose to the mask and breathing through it. Give your heart rate and your senses time to settle down and once you feel very relaxed, attach the hose and start breathing through the mask.
I found this suggestion particularly helpful as I recently struggled with some asthma issues that made me feel like I was suffocating with the mask on...was very helpful.
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A person with moderate OSA can have a relative high pressure (example my son-in-law's mother has moderate OSA) but a pressure of 16. I have severe OSA and my titration pressure range was 8 to 12. So there isn't a relationship between severity and pressure range. Each of us have own unique pressure setting, regardless of how severe our apnea is.
You make a good suggestion about settling down a few minutes before trying to go to sleep.
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Permalink Reply by M'Lady Wench on
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I have big time claustrophobia issues regarding my face. I figured I would have major issues with wearing my nasal mask. I was greatly surprised when after wearing it just to relax, that I didn't feel anxious like I thought I would. I did wear it a few times during the day when I was sitting up. I was kinda tired and rather than take a chance of falling asleep without it, I put my mask on. By doing this, I was able to get used to it while sitting up. Once I laid down, I just did my relaxation breathing and I just fell asleep. I can't have anyone but me take my mask of as I freak out, but I feel very comfortable now and can fall asleep within the 5 minute ramp up normally. I do have to be careful to not over tire myself. My pressure is 9 and I feel much better when I keep my mask on and get 8 hours of sleep. Good luck and keep trying darlin!
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Permalink Reply by Andy on
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Hi Steven,
Sorry to hear of your mask fears. After years of sleeping without one, it's easy to feel stange wearing a mask to sleep.
When I first started, I tried wearing the mask around suppertime, just to get used to it. Some people suggest wearing it when reading or watching TV.
I find that doing the ritual of cleaning the mask and machine, filling the humidifier, and settling in to bed gets me calmer, and prepares me for wearing the mask.
I put on the mask and turn on the CPAP as soon as I get into bed, and use it while reading for a while. That helps me to get used to it each night.
I also prop myself up with a bunch of pillows, so that I won't worry about any regurgitating problems.
Maybe some of these things will help?
One thing is for sure, the more you work on this, the better it gets. Don't give up on CPAP because you feel uncomfortable in the beginning. The bad effects of sleep apnea far outweigh the inconvenience!
.
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Permalink Reply by Margo Lozoya on
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Deep breathing seems to help me as soon as I put the mask on...my problem is I am not aware that I remove my mask at night!
M'Lady Wench said:I have big time claustrophobia issues regarding my face. I figured I would have major issues with wearing my nasal mask. I was greatly surprised when after wearing it just to relax, that I didn't feel anxious like I thought I would. I did wear it a few times during the day when I was sitting up. I was kinda tired and rather than take a chance of falling asleep without it, I put my mask on. By doing this, I was able to get used to it while sitting up. Once I laid down, I just did my relaxation breathing and I just fell asleep. I can't have anyone but me take my mask of as I freak out, but I feel very comfortable now and can fall asleep within the 5 minute ramp up normally. I do have to be careful to not over tire myself. My pressure is 9 and I feel much better when I keep my mask on and get 8 hours of sleep. Good luck and keep trying darlin!
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