Being Forced To Wear A CPAP Device?

Anybody else going thru this? I am unable to wear the CPAP mask, it causes me to have a panic attack.

Davy, I Understand, when I got my machine it was difficult to adjust for a couple days, but now I really like my cpap and use it every time I sleep. My energy level is much better and I'm not as irritable. The Health risks associated with untreated sleep apnea are severe. Trust me, I was not looking forward to the mask either, I knew I had apnea for years and did nothing until I finally gave in and got tested. It's not as bad as it seems. Everyone I've met that uses the machine says it improved their sleep and general health.

I just cant handle the mask and cant find another one to try out thatwould work for me and make me comfortable

Mine is a mask that covers my mouth and nose. At first I found that I Was over tightening it and squeezing my face. You just want it tight enough that it doesn't leak

Thanks and I will try your advice

There is an alternative to the mask. It is called a nasal pillow. You can do a search and see if you think that will work for you.

Just did my sleep study (Voluntarily) last Thursday. Will get results in 2 weeks, but from what they where telling me they where on high alert the whole time I was in there lol...Good Times... Question did they tell you, you were a mouth breather or nose breather. I also would suggest the nose mask as suggested, but also may want to call the person who gave you the Sleep Study explain it to them, they may have suggestions. I am no Dr but I have read an article or 2

I'll second the nasal pillows. They are great if you have any kind of beard but you can't really be a mouth breather (No offense, LOL). I guess you actually could use them but you would also probably have to wear a chin strap.

As for your "panic attack", can you describe what you are feeling. Do you feel you're not getting enough air, or possibly too much? This could possibly be taken care of by adjusting your pressure settings. Talk to your Dr or sleep specialist.

What type a machine are you using? Does it have a ramp-up type feature or what they might refer to as "c-flex" ? Mine has both and I personally didn't care for either of them. You can go into your settings and disable the feature(s) and try that. During ramp-up it felt like I wasn't getting enough air to start out with. C-flex apparently lowers the pressure when you ex-hale and then ramps back up intermediately. I still felt like I wasn't getting enough air. I disabled them both and now I sleep like a baby.

JJ

Panic Attack is most likely from the claustrophobic (closed in) feeling most of the nose/mouth masks cause (ie: having an alien strapped to your face).

As far as being "forced to use it" - if you have been diagnosed with OSA, the only way to keep a medical card and drive, is to use the CPAP device for the specified number of hours. The device has to be able to log usage, and those logs must be verified by the ME/Carrier.

So as far as being "forced" - if you want to drive, you MUST USE the CPAP.

There are masks that are less uncomfortable out there - but all of them are strapped to your face. You might want to try "easing into it", by using it an hour, then two, then up to your "compliance level". But you will have to be logging in FULL COMPLIANCE for at least 30 days, to be approved to drive.

I have a good friend (like a brother) that has OSA - ignored it. Got SO BAD, that he ended up with heart arrhythmias. He's the proud owner of a NEW PACEMAKER - as he went to the hospital being short of breath (thought it was possibly pneumonia), they monitored him overnight and found his HEART WAS STOPPING.

OSA doesn't get better on it's own (though if you're OBESE - losing a bunch of weight can really help), and certainly doesn't get better if you IGNORE the symptoms or, if already diagnosed, IGNORE THE TREATMENT (CPAP).

Rick

I Was told by the Doctor that I needed the full mask because of the amount of pressure my machine was set at. She thought it would be uncomfortable with nasal pillows, however, I've heard great things about the nasal pillows, from people that use them.