The Beast . . . .
In spite of how I am feeling right now, I am going back to battle The Beast once again. I feel a little better just being able to vent my frustrations here!
When you have the feeling that your gasping for air, does that happen during the first 45 minutes?
if so adjustment to the cpap can help that issue. I think its called the ramp up time,
I was finally able to get to sleep but once again it didn't last long and once again I woke up with the splitting headache. I don't know how I am going to function the rest of the week at work. I'm now so tired that I tear up at every little thing that goes wrong at work (and there's a lot going on wrong there right now!). I can't take time off because I need the time off for surgery. 3-1/2 more weeks of this - I'm just not sure how I will get through it.
on 9/12/13 1:47 pm
Call your provider or consultant tomorrow morning and tell them the trouble that you are having. It sounds like you are having anxiety attacks about using the machine, rather than problems with the machine, but the experts know how to help. They can make adjustments and give you other masks to try. Ask them to set the machine to "ramp up" over 15-20 minutes. This starts the air at a low pressure and slowly increases it so you are asleep before it fully kicks in.
If you are claustrophobic like me, you will proably be much more comfortable with the nasal pillows type mask rather than a full face mask. It might also help to take a gentle anti-anxiety or sleep med well before bedtime for a few nights to help you with the transition. It sounds like your headaches may be due to stress at work, much more so than your CPAP machine. Try to remember it is not fake air, just the regular air from your room under a bit of pressure. Maybe sit up in bed and read while wearing the mask for a little while so you can adjust to it and relax before you try to fall asleep.