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After months of attempting to get tested and red tape from my insurance company i pick up my machine tomorrow.
Not sure i even agree with the whole sleep apnea thing but am forced to do it for my livelyhood. So i will comply. My fear is i have claustrophobia and will not be able to sleep with this contraption on my face.
DanM
+1 point
·
over 8 years
ago
Sleep
Enthusiast
Support Team
Hi @ExuberantChartreuseGull8265. Many people with claustrophobia have similar fears about wearing CPAP, and I was one of those people. Fortunately, through practice and persistence wearing the mask, I was able to overcome the feelings and now successfully wear my mask through the night. The best tip I was ever given was to practice wearing my mask outside the bedroom. I started wearing the mask with the machine turned on in the evenings while watching television. It made going to bed easier because I was not experiencing the anxiety of wearing a mask when I should be sleeping. That's not to say things were completely smooth in the beginning, as I would often wake up to find the mask in bed next to me. Persistence was key, and I just kept putting the mask back on. I built my time wearing CPAP slowly. Some nights, I was only able to tolerate it for an hour or two. Other nights, I managed four hours. It took a while, but I finally managed a full night! Also, there are many models of masks available. I encourage you to work closely with your equipment provider to find the best mask that works for you. If you find the one you take home does not work for you, call your equipment provider as soon as possible. Best wishes for successful treatment! Feel free to let us know how things progress.
DanM
+1 point
·
over 8 years
ago
Sleep
Enthusiast
Support Team
Hi @NicolasBen. Some patients require further assistance from their physician to be able to manage their claustrophobia. Others are able to overcome this with practice and patience. For those who absolutely cannot wear a mask, other treatment options may be considered based on what the physician thinks is appropriate.
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