CPAP Machine?

[counsellorgirl1965]

My husband has been diagonosed with sleep apneao, and subsequently been given a CPAP machine but is having severe difficulty getting used to the mask that really is quite invasive, does anyone have any suggestions as to either how to overcome this claustophobia or is there another alternative, he cannot use the nostral ones as his nose is too narrow at the back. He`s snoring and quality of sleep is so much better when he does use it but he is really struggling at the moment...ps so am I!!!

[Joe McManus]

Hi there and welcome to the forums!

It's quite a common issue really but there's no simple suggestions. In my view, it's a mind over matter thing. He knows the benefits, feels the benefits so he has to start associating the mask with those benefits so his brain looses the connection "Mask - Bad" and develops the brain to think "Mask - Good".

Start thinking of the mask as his new best friend, without him, he can get brain damage and die, or at least feel miserable. If he finds it hard to make that association, he could try visiting an NLP therapist who is very skilled at these types of brain manipulation/programming.

[MoutheBreather]

Respironics does a "Total" mask, which is less 'in your face' and more 'over your face'.

Whether or not he finds that more invasive would probably depend on just trying it out:

http://totalfacemask.respironics.com/

[puffin]

Having been given a machine this summer, I am now on my 5th mask. It's just a matter of experimenting with different masks before you find the right one. Luckerly Walsall Manor Hospital is very good, all I need do is ring the department involved just before I go to see them. They are happy to change a mask if it does not work.

Just ask your provider, they may be able to improve on what you have.

[mart9012]

I just think it takes a bit of getting used to. I didn't like the mask much, more because i felt stupid wearing it and people could see me. But, when I wake up in the morning I feel a definate improvement and that has definately changed the way I feel about the mask. I see it as a tool that makes me feel better in the day so I have no problems with it.. Im sure this is something that develops over time.

While there are very expensive masks out there that Im sure are much better (although I have not used one) all I can suggest is perseverence.