Why can't I breathe when I put on my CPAP mask??? - Sleep Disorders Message Board

Eeyore1973 · 07-28-2008, 03:32 PM

I am having trouble breathing with my CPAP mask and not sure what I can do about it. Has this ever happen to anyone else? Is it just a panic attack? I had a nasal mask I used for about 2 months and then I had a bad episode with it one night when I guess my nasal passage became stuffed up from allergies in the middle of the night and I woke up short of breath (fast rapid breathing) and my heart was beating out of my chest. I felt like a fish out of water. I stayed away from the machine and refused to go back to it, this happened in April and since then I have had some problems sleeping without the machine. My air way closes when I am on my back (the only way I like to sleep) so I decided I would try again. I got a full face mask and put it on the first night I got it and it lasted about 5 minutes because of me not being able to breathe. I don't know what to do. Is this just me getting panic attacks over what happened in April or is it really stopping my breathing. PLease I would really like to hear what others think. And if they have gone through something like this. I hate to go to bed at night. Please help me.

bethsheba · 07-28-2008, 07:55 PM

Eeyore,

When I get stuffed up with allergies in the middle of the night I have a tendency to rip off my mask. IMHO I suspect the problem is something else (that's not to say that your congestion issues are to be ignored). Based on what you are saying about waking with shortness of breath and rapid heart, I would question whether your pressures are set high enough....if your pressures are too low, your apneas will continue and what you describe is what can happen after an apnea episode.

Whatever the reason, I would suggest you get back with your sleep specialist and/or therapists and tell them what you've told us. Cpap therapy can be 100 percent effect but it sounds like you've got some "tweaking" to do.

Take care.

Bethsheba

PS Do you know what your pressures are set at? If not, you should...do ask your doctor.