Sleep Apnea Support Group

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.

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Sleep Disorders
/ Sleep Apnea Support Group

Cpap machine

blessed19
blessed19
I havent used my machine in quite some time and last night is the first time using it in a while. Well I was told to do the ramp option if the air was too much for me a first which is what I did. Well I was fine fell asleep good and I woke up feeling like I couldnt breath so I pulled it off my face and threw it. It scared me. I am a mouth breather so this is going to take some time to get used to. I will say I do feel better today I was able to use it up until about 1am. Still that suffocating feeling is it normal? I think I scared my son cause I was freaking out. As soon as I pulled it off I was fine and I just went to sleep with out it. Do any of you have full face mask I think that might be a better fit for me. There kindof expensive but im hoping to have one soon. I heard that sleep apnea is linked to depression and its seems my depression is getting worse and worse. Im working on losing weight because I know that is a main factor into why its happening. I havent used the machine because its so uncomfortable but I have no choice. Some nights its hard to fall asleep I dont snore ( at least thats what people say) but when I get ready to fall asleep I always wake up and my heart is beating really fast and I feel weak. Sometimes I do wake up gasping for air and sometimes I dont. Thanks for your time! :)
harry3333
harry3333
as a mouth breather you need a full face mask with a humidifier to get any benefit from a CPAP
some are able to convert to nose breathing by taping lips together, nose breathing is better for your health
Tez62
Tez62
Blessed19, you know you have to wear it and why you have to wear it, for your health and because you want to be around for your son for a long time I would assume. My depression lifted not long after being compliant with my CPAP, I am no longer on any meds at all. In fact I don't believe I ever had depression only a life time of sleep apnea. What you now need is help and support from us, the people that know what you are going through. We are in this together because only we know what it's like having to sleep with a mask but we also know the huge benefits of it. I believe about 90% of this is in our head so our attitude is so important the the other 10% is the mask. What brand and model of mask are you using? Are you having any issues with the mask or is it just the suffocating feeling? With the suffocating feel, the ramp is a good start, there is another function called ERP which assists with you exhale most machines have a 0,1,2,3 setting, that really helps with the sufficating feeling, I set mine at 3 but it is personal. The final thing is when you take it off and it is fine to take it off while you are getting used to it again, when you take it off your ramp will start again so after a while out it back on and the pressure will be at it's lowest. You have to do this for yourself and your son.
blessed19
blessed19
Its the Sleep Style 234 cpap machine with the nasal pillows as a mask. The ramp function really helped me to fall asleep but to fall asleep and then wake up gasping for air. Thats scary.I woke up and tried to breath through my mouth and felt like I was suffocating then I pulled it off and threw it across the room. I was in a panic by that point I suffer from panic disorder so that didnt help. Yes I want to be here for my son he is 4 yrs old and he is my everything so I have to do this. Even though I didnt use it the whole night I feel a lot better today. Im not tired and I dont feel weak my body is not aching like it usually does. So I want to do this I just want to make sure I am using it the right way
Tez62
Tez62
Blessed19, you sound like you need a full face mask especially if you are a mouth breather. I used to get the aches as well, they kept telling me it was the depression but it wasn't it was the lack of oxygen to our blood and brains. Once you can get it right you'll be so much better, the depression will lift, youll have more energy and the flow on effect is you will be able to lose weight as it looks like you want to do. This is a life long illness with a treatment but no cure, you will get there if you want too.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Tez62, you say that since using the CPAP that your depression is gone and no meds, thats great and what I am striving for. I've been on my machine for 2 months but my depression is so bad that I cry everyday. Tuesday i thought I was having a nervous breakdown. How long before I can see results of the depression going away?

Hi Blessed19, you may want to check out a chin strap. I wish you luck with the cpap!!
Tez62
Tez62
boobie63, I don't believe I ever had depression, the symptoms of depression are very similar to sleep apnea or sleep apnea can cause depression. It doesn't work the other way around. With depression and other mental illnesss, there is always acause and then triggers, in our case SA is the cause, the triggers can be anxiety, stress, worry or a mixture of all three. No one can tell you when or if yours will lift because we are all different. What you need to do is get your SA under control and then time will tell. I believe that now that I have oxygen flowing properly through my blood and going to my brain it has helped my so much. 18 months ago I could hardly walk, I was hospitalised because I didn't sleep for weeks at a time and I know myself I was close to death, very close, no one beleived me and told me to take more and more meds and I would be OK, I was then diagnosed by accident with SA, I now love life, I go to the gym everyday, do weights on day and jog 5 kms (aboout 3 miles) every second day. It can happen, it just takes time and some faith in your CPAP, mesage me if you need to.
e4now
e4now
(((hugs)))