Given an APAP

[Lillie]

Hi All
Feeling rather traumatised! Went for my appointment today to get a CPAP ( that's what the letter said) and was surprised to find there was 8 of us! Which, apparently, the letter should have said but didn't.

Told we were getting APAPs and when we go back next week we will get CPAPs with humidifiers, if the readings indicate we are suitable candidates. So far so good.

I thought I had prepared myself but I could feel myself getting panicky as soon as I put the mask on and when I switched on it was really hard to handle! As soon as I put I tried the test to check the seal I was totally overwhelmed and had to switch it off and get the mask off pronto ... I felt like I was going to die! I had already complained that the mask was pressing down on the top of my nose so then I was given a bigger size. It felt better but I was told to take it off and listen to the next part of the talk so didn't have a chance to try the seal test. I guess I should have been more assertive but I was feeling really shaken up by then.

I was advised to try it during the day while watching tv and this is what I intend to do. I do have a tendency to go into shock quite easily so I know I will have to take it slow and easy to have any chance of success. If it wasn't for what I have read on this forum I think I would have just walked away ...and I'm not a quitter... but I'm determined to do it!

I'm going to leave it tonight and start gently tomorrow. Any tips from people who have had similar reactions would be very gratefully received!

Regards
Lillie

[Tigers Fan]

Go for it!

Hi Lillie

It's an awful experience, isn't it - that first can't breathe, smothered, suffocating feeling!

I use an APAP with exhalation relief at home but I've just had a few days CPAP experience whilst travelling. It took me two goes at talking myself into calming down the first night! and every night was an effort till I relaxed.

A good tip is to practice during the day. Just hold the mask to your face to start with - a few breaths to start, work up to a few minutes, then try the straps. Resist trying to fill your lungs with big, deep breaths. Sit in your chair, notice your breathing, then hold the mask in place and continue breathing in the same way.

It'll come good - and when it does, the sleep is exquisite!

Tigers Fan

[Lillie]

Hi TF
Thank you so much for your reply, it really means alot! (I did respond last nigth but somehow managed to lose what i had written!)

I was on the verge of giving up but will certainly take your advice and give it another go. I think the catarrh is a major drawback and makes it difficult to catch my breath when the mask is on so when I switch it on it feels like instant suffocation! I can't go in steam rooms or saunas as they have the same effect.

I haven't tried today as the whole thing is freaking me out so I think it best to wait until I feel calmer and therefore more receptive.

Thanks again
Lillie

[mintra]

The machine is your friend love it and it will love you

I went to a funny school that was founded in 1900 by people who think all things are alive. I only found out that recently, however I have always treated things with the same respect as living things.

I always had apnea from being a child, this means I was mentally retarded to a small extent. I developed a love for machines and particularly computers. I recognise now that it was because they helped me to remember things.

Sleep apnea is a contributing factor to cancers I had my share in my youth I learnt to love the body scanner machine as I thought it saved my life.

The result was that I was really thrilled to find I had sleep apnea, and that they would give me a machine. So much so that I wanted to try all the machines.

I had all the issues with bad mask fit, cold face and leaking. But I just never saw the machine as being anything else but part of me.

Now I feel uncomfortable in bed without it.

This is not a chore, this machine is alive and part of you, love the one your with.

[leswaller]

Lillie
Its not clear from your postin gs whether you have a nasal mask or full mask. If you only have a nasal mask you may feel the catarrh less if you try a full mask that allows you to breath through your mouth

[Lillie]

Hi Les
I have a full mask and am not really making any progress. I'm trying sitting wearing just the mask while I watch TV but because I can't breath evenly it starts to feel claustrophobic.
I'm going to phone the sleep techs tomorrow to see what they suggest but I'm not holding my breath ... !

[Jan1ce]

I can't handle sitting with the mask but as soon as I lie down, it is much easier. See if it's the same for you.

[leswaller]

Lillie
I am still not sure if you are using a CPAP or an APAP, can you clarify. I will be away for a few days but my good friend Tigers Fan will be able to help you I am sure

[carlonablue]

someone please tell me what an apap is
ive used a cpap for 4 years now,, and ive not heard of an apap

[leswaller]

CPAP = constant positive airway pressure
APAP = automatic positive airway pressure
Basically a CPAP machine gives out the pressure it is set to whilst an APAP will adjust its pressure within predetermined ranges to only give you the pressure you need to deal with your apnea events

[Tigers Fan]

Lillie

Hi Lillie

Here's a plan you could try - based on my discovery that increasing my CPAP ramp start pressure reduced my feeling of suffocation (which is backwards to what I expected because it's the difficulty of breathing out against pressure that gives me the feeling of suffocation).

Take the straps off your mask. Lay on your bed and start your machine at ramp pressure. Hold the mask in front of your face and gradually bring it nearer and nearer, breathing the blown air (might have to close your eyes) and eventually, at your own speed, place the mask over your face. Breath normally and notice the rising feelings of claustrophobia, if they occur again. Count how many 'in' breaths you manage before you really have to remove the mask - don't push yourself to panic mode, just go a little while beyond 'uncomfortable'. Lay back and relax. Try again. Gradually see if you can increase the number of 'in' breaths.

The disadvantage of this method is that when you fall asleep, your arm relaxes, the mask comes away from your face and wakes you up!

The point is - be gentle with yourself, however you do it. PAP therapy makes a tremendous positive difference to our lives and you deserve it, too!

What did the Sleep Clinic have to say?

Tigers Fan

[Lillie]

Thanks TF, that sounds like very good advice. I'm hoping that I may not need it.

I saw my GP today and she gave me a few tranquillisers. I took one this afternoon and it took the edge off the panic and claustrophobia so I was able to put on the mask and sit with the machine on. Did my seal check and everthing. I put it on again later at a time when I usually nod off but of course I didn't!

Anyway I feel confident enough to give it a go tonight so wish we luck! Is there anything I should be aware of next?

I did call the Sleep Clinic afterwards and they just changed my appointment to give me more time.

Thanks again for your much appreciated support.
Lil

[Lillie]

Thanks to everyone for your replies

They are really appreciated!

Things moved on today. I got some tranquillisers from my GP and took one this afternoon. It took the edge off the panic and claustraphobia and I was able to tolerate the mask and sit with the machine on fairly comfortably! Yippee!

I put it on again later when I would normally drop off but needless to say I didn't! So I'll give it a go in bed tonight and see what happens. I called the clinic and they have put my follow up appointment back to next Wednesday. That's when I take it back and they swap the APAP for a CPAP, if the readings say I need one.

What are the next things I need to be aware of?

Wish me luck!

Lil

[carlonablue]

what is an apap...

many thanks...having used the cpap for years i am amazed how clever these machines can be.......ime trying to buy a battery powered unit so i can go away in our caravan without using an ellectric hookup....ive only found them available frow the usa so far.....(grrr import tax)...ime pleased to have found so many people who are in the same boat as me....lol

[Lillie]

Update

So far so good. Took a lorazepam before I went to bed and although it took at least an hour to drop off I got comfortable and was fine. The noise was a little annoying, especially as it was competing with my tinnitus!

I must have slept for about 2 and a half hours and when I awoke I decided not to push my luck on the first night so came off the machine. I slept for about another 5 hours and woke up not feeling quite so grotty as usual.

I think I might have experienced a little leakage at times in certain positions - felt some air in my eyes - would that be it? This made me concerned that there may have been some leakage while I was asleep. If there was how would I know and what are the implications?

Apologies for my last 2 almost identical posts ... not sure what happened. I responded to TF and the post seemed to register then I realised I had other responses. I went to reply to them only to see that my post had disappeared so thought I had better do another!

Kind regards
Lillie