Face Masks Night Terrors and Headaches Oh My!

[chelle]

Hi Reno,

I had a really good night sleep on the first night using my new mask liners it was really hot too but i managed 4 hours OMG!!!! was so happy with myself... then the second night last night i managed only 2hours 35mins roughly i woke up with the panickly claustraphic stuff, it's so annoying, but at least i no the liners work really well there expensive but i will make it work somehow and today i have my clinic app to pick up the humidifier for my cpap yay me! can't wait and this is a agraphobic talking who cannot wait get something where i have to leave my house, although that's making me feel nauseous having to go out but i'll be okay i will be with the ambulance people so not too bad and i try too ignore everyone and sit still with my book and sunglasses that usually calms me down. about the nose breathing i think i breath through my nose and mouth at times i rarely wake up with a dry mouth but always wake up with a dry sore nose, hence the humidfier, although i do snore, but my husband said alot less and no where nearly as loud, pre cpap, and i find that when i'm wearing the mask there's little space to open my mouth, plus last night i used micropore on my lips to try to train myself to only breath through my nose, hopefully i can get a nose mask, but altogether i'm feeling more optmistic so great! thank you Reno x

[chelle]

Hi, Kelly,

I have the Hybrid mask it's the amara view full face mask and it sit's just under the nose, but i still feel very claustraphobic with it. well i used my mask liners the past two nights and got a much better sleep first night on cpap for 4 hours night 2 about 2 and a half hours, the fans help alot and the cool pad was a good idea so thank you for that, i'm gonna get one to cover the mattress too, so that should be good. i'll let you no how i get on with the humidifer tonight. thanks

[Kelly @ Intus]

Hi Chelle.

Thank you for your reply.

The hybrid masks are more minimal than the standard full face masks that cover your nose and mouth. I would not suggest trying a nasal mask if yu breathe through your nose and mouth (ie snore).

I am pleased that the mask liners worked well for you and you got a better nights sleep.

The cooling mats do help in this heat, so I am pleased you have these as an option.

Please do let us know how you get on with the humidifier.

Kelly

[chelle]

Hey Reno, just read your first night experience, an encouraging and enjoyable read thank you. the Data part a little confusing did you have 110 apneas before cpap then down to 4.8 right what does the other stuff mean? i know i should probably know but i hate technology and all i did was read the booklet in the parts it needed to and then youtubed it for machine and mask fitting you have the same machine as me and you also have the nose mask i want! i'm jealous! LOL No, really interesting to read thanks.

[Reno]

Hi Chelle,

Funnily enough, I also have agoraphobia. I think 4 hours with CPAP is a huge step considering the difficulties you’ve had. I’m also glad to hear the liners are helping.

Data part a little confusing did you have 110 apneas before cpap then down to 4.8 right what does the other stuff mean?

That number is the AHI. It stands of Apnea Hypopnea Index, and is the average number of episodes per hour! Apnea is where you stop taking in air. A hypopnea is where some air is coming in, but it’s not enough.

An AHI of 30 or more is considered severe. An AHI around 5 or 6 (don’t remember exact number) or less is considered ‘treated.’

Before CPAP, my AHI number during the sleep test was 109.6! That’s a lot of not breathing per hour! First night with CPAP, my AHI dropped to 4.8, which is a huge success.

Now, my AHI is fluctuating around 2.1 to 2.9 so I’m doing well.