CPAP help needed

[4forMe]

I just received the results from my sleep study, and I have severe hypopnea. It's different from apnea in that you don't completely stop breathing; however, mine is so severe that CPAP is the only treatment.

I have issues with claustrophobia and can't imagine having to wear the mask on my face every night. Does anyone know of a CPAP mask that is more comfortable to wear and won't cover my entire face?

I have mixed feelings about all of this right now. I feel embarrassed (as a woman) that I even have this problem. I'm happy for the diagnosis since I'm having other medical problems that are likely from the sleep apnea. However, it's just hard to accept that I have to wear this the rest of my life.

Any suggestions or advice would be very appreciated. Thanks.

 

[wvjules]

I just received the results from my sleep study, and I have severe hypopnea. It's different from apnea in that you don't completely stop breathing; however, mine is so severe that CPAP is the only treatment.

I have issues with claustrophobia and can't imagine having to wear the mask on my face every night. Does anyone know of a CPAP mask that is more comfortable to wear and won't cover my entire face?

I have mixed feelings about all of this right now. I feel embarrassed (as a woman) that I even have this problem. I'm happy for the diagnosis since I'm having other medical problems that are likely from the sleep apnea. However, it's just hard to accept that I have to wear this the rest of my life.

Any suggestions or advice would be very appreciated. Thanks.

Why, as a woman, does that embarrass you?

They have nasal canula only type "masks". I had one to start with but I didn't like it. They kept collapsing on me. Now I use a mask that only covers my nose. I'm not claustrophobic but it doesn't bother me at all.

 

[goofyernmost]

It doesn't cover your face...just, in most cases, your nose. I use the nasal pillows that have a little arm the snuggles the ends of the pillows into my nostrils and that is it. There is a head gear that is a simple cap like device and it also is really not a concern anymore then wearing a small hat would be.

I cannot see how claustrophobia even can enter this scenario. It sure beats not sleeping well.

 

[Hendo22]

I have sleep apnea and use a cpap machine. When I first used it I had a mask that was similar to an oxygen mask and hated it for the claustrophobic feeling. I know use a Resmed Mirage swift 2. It is a called a nasal pillow. It fits under your nose and keeps your face open. And it works much better for me than the other option. It is hard to get used to the machine at first but it is very much worth it. Check out the Resmed website for more options

 

[Bren's Mom]

Depending on the cause of your hypopnias, you might not have to wear a CPAP forever. If it's weight, you can lose some and perhaps be CPAP free. It could be a problem with the anatomy in your throat that might be corrected by surgery...definitely see a sleep specialist doctor and ask those questions!

In the meantime, though, many of us women have CPAPs and thrive with them!

If you are not a mouth breather, there are lots of choices for nasal masks or pillows.

If you are a mouth breather, you do have choices besides a full face mask. You can get a hybrid (which I use, mine is a Liberty) which has a small mask for the mouth and attached nasal pillows. Nothing above the tip of my nose, which I like. Or you can possibly use just the nasal mask or pillows with the chin strap.

Find a good DME provider who has lots of masks in stock for you to check out. Also look online, just google CPAP masks. See what visually appeals, and try some on and narrow down by that. Most people have to take home and actually sleep with many masks before finding the one they stick with long term. And also, some have more than one mask they alternate with. I use the Liberty most nights, but when I have sinus congestion I switch temporarily to a full face mask (Mirage).

And there are forums for CPAP users as well, I found them very helpful when I first started!

 

[ChiCat]

I don't have sleep apnea but I'm a respiratory therapist. Like others said there are options besides full face masks, and some patients who are mouth breathers still use nasal pillows or nasal masks but use a chin strap with it. I have worn one before and I know they feel uncomfortable, but as I'm sure you know the dangers of not breathing or not breathing right outweigh the inconvenience of the machine. I tell patients to wear it as long as they can every night and eventually people get used to it. I've had people tell me they have never slept better and can't live without their machine. Don't be embarrassed I can tell you I see all types of patients who wear cpap machines, young, old, fat, skinny, male, female good luck!

 

[minkydog]

Another happy CPAP user here. I'm pretty claustrophobic too, but I swear, the desire to sleep and breathe supercedes the fear of suffocation. I cannot sleep without it. I have a small mask that looks like an oxygen mask. I tried the nasal pillows, but I'm an active sleeper and I kept knocking it off. Now that I'm sleeping well I feel so much better. Sure, it's not too sexy wearing a nose-hose, but it beats the heck out of the alternative.

 

[arminnie]

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea almost 20 years ago. The Stanford Sleep Disorder clinic is the gold standard for treatment of sleep problems. The doctors there literally "discovered" most of the disorders and treatments. They have consistently been on the cutting edge in this field.

You might want to see if you could visit there (people come in from all over the world literally) or at least find a doctor who has trained under their supervision. There are a lot of semi-quack treatments out there offered by other than fully trained sleep specialists.

 

[JCJRSmith]

I use nasal pillows. This is the one I use:
http://www.cpapxchange.com/cpap-mas...bennett.html?gclid=CODaleiUpKkCFUpx5Qod6WZJuQ

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

DH here. My wife is a sleep tech that reads and scores the studies. She often has people come in and desensitizes them before their studies so the get an accurate picture of what pressure is required. As stated before, there are lots of different masks ,pillows and chin straps that your DME could recommend to make you feel comfortable. I use a bi-level machine with ASV and at the moment am using pillows and a chin strap. A sleep specialist will have read your study so a meeting with them to go over your options is advisable. The key is to find something you will wear for most of the night. As a bonus you can carry your cpap on planes and it doesn't count since it's medical equipment.

 

[disney_mommy]

I also use a cpap. I am extremely claustrophobic and was worried about having something strapped on my face all night, but I eventually got used to it. There were some nights where I just ripped it off (usually not even remembering it), but I started with it every night and now (4 months or so later), it is a natural part of my night. I have the nasal pillows as well, and find those, with a pad-a-cheek pad on each strap, to be perfect for me. I have found this message board to be invaluable: http://www.cpaptalk.com/viewforum.php?f=1

 

[stevenpensacola]

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/nasal_pillows/nasal-pillows.html?nc=patients

mine...person is NOT me

option

 

[4forMe]

Another happy CPAP user here. I'm pretty claustrophobic too, but I swear, the desire to sleep and breathe supercedes the fear of suffocation. I cannot sleep without it. I have a small mask that looks like an oxygen mask. I tried the nasal pillows, but I'm an active sleeper and I kept knocking it off. Now that I'm sleeping well I feel so much better. Sure, it's not too sexy wearing a nose-hose, but it beats the heck out of the alternative.

I am struggling with that issue. As I told DH, I'm sure he's going to find me smoking hot crawling into bed and strapping on the CPAP. I need to get over my vanity issues. This has already affected my blood pressure, and I'm blaming myself for not getting this done 2 years ago. I definitely will comply with the CPAP.

My doctor is a highly specialized sleep disorders doctor. My hypopnea is not weight related. I will ask about a possible anatomical problem. I am in the process of scheduling the next sleep study where I have to wear the CPAP so they can determine the level of oxygen I need.

Thanks to the posters who understand my claustrophobia issue. I realized I had this problem when I had my first root canal several years ago. The thing they put over my mouth/nose to keep my mouth open was very hard for me to tolerate.

Thanks to all the suggestions for the different types of masks. I am a mouth breather so I think I will first look into the hybrid one that was suggested above.

 

[wvjules]

I am struggling with that issue. As I told DH, I'm sure he's going to find me smoking hot crawling into bed and strapping on the CPAP. I need to get over my vanity issues. This has already affected my blood pressure, and I'm blaming myself for not getting this done 2 years ago. I definitely will comply with the CPAP.

My doctor is a highly specialized sleep disorders doctor. My hypopnea is not weight related. I will ask about a possible anatomical problem. I am in the process of scheduling the next sleep study where I have to wear the CPAP so they can determine the level of oxygen I need.

Thanks to the posters who understand my claustrophobia issue. I realized I had this problem when I had my first root canal several years ago. The thing they put over my mouth/nose to keep my mouth open was very hard for me to tolerate.

Thanks to all the suggestions for the different types of masks. I am a mouth breather so I think I will first look into the hybrid one that was suggested above.

CPAPs do NOT provide oxygen. The titration study you are going to will let them know what pressure of air you will need. Not oxygen. CPAP - Continious Positive Air Pressure...the pressure of the air going in keeps the passages open. There will be no oxygen involved.

 

[4forMe]

CPAPs do NOT provide oxygen. The titration study you are going to will let them know what pressure of air you will need. Not oxygen. CPAP - Continious Positive Air Pressure...the pressure of the air going in keeps the passages open. There will be no oxygen involved.

Sorry, I meant to say pressure. I'm also having major memory problems including confusion of words. It may be due to the sleep apnea or something else. I still have to see a rheumatologist to address all my other symptoms I've been experiencing.

Thanks again for everyone's responses. It's nice to know that I'm not alone.

 

[Swank]

I have Claustrophobia and a CPAP. It took a couple of weeks until I was comfortable with it, but now I feel soooooo much better. When you go for the sleep study with the mask don't go in thinking you have to sleep, I got my self all worked up and did not fall asleep for hours, just concentrate on breathing. I just kept telling myself that is was impossible to suffocate as long as a took good even breaths. After awhile I just fell asleep and then woke up immediately, well not really, I was asleep for four hours and it seemed like a couple of seconds. It was the best sleep I had in two years, and that was at the Study!

I Love my CPAP, it made me healthier, more rested and I have a sharper mind. It was a lifesaver. I have the mask that covers my nose and the pressure helps keep my mouth closed. I didn't think that would work, but I have no problem keeping my mouth closed at all.

Now the CPAP actually helps me fall asleep, once I put it on the sound of the machine and my breathing lulls me to sleep.


I understand your concerns on how your spouse will perceive you, me and my wife see the humor in it, but recognize that the benefits outweigh the alternative.

Best of Luck, I know you can do it, for yourself and your family.

 

[SaraJayne]

I have a deviated septum that causes my apnea. Mine isn't weight related.

I tried a CPAP for a few months and hated it. I couldn't sleep with it and would end up ripping it off a couple hours after I put it on. Since I'm a mouth breather, I have to wear a full mask. It was too uncomfortable for me.

I eventually quit using it and returned it to the rental place.

 

[pixiefairy]

http://www.resmed.com/us/products/nasal_pillows/nasal-pillows.html?nc=patients

mine...person is NOT me

option

My dh has severe sleep apnea. He uses a mask similar to the first picture, but with a chin strap. He cannot get quality sleep without it. Just think, you got your results, and now you can focus on the fact that you'll likely feel much better and more rested after you sleep.

 

[PTL]

I have a deviated septum that causes my apnea. Mine isn't weight related.

I tried a CPAP for a few months and hated it. I couldn't sleep with it and would end up ripping it off a couple hours after I put it on. Since I'm a mouth breather, I have to wear a full mask. It was too uncomfortable for me.

I eventually quit using it and returned it to the rental place.

Did you consider getting your deviated septum repaired?
I have the same issue and am considering having surgery to see if it helps.

 

[SaraJayne]

Did you consider getting your deviated septum repaired?
I have the same issue and am considering having surgery to see if it helps.

I would get it repaired, but last time I asked about it (2 years ago), insurance told me it's a "cosmetic procedure" and won't pay for it. I may call again in the near future and see if I get a different answer.

I had very extensive surgery on my mouth/throat about five years ago and my ENT doc told me fixing a deviated septum would be a piece of cake compared to that.