New to sleep apnoea.
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi everyone. This is my first post on this forum. I received my is osa diagnosis last week and have appointments booked at Exeter hospital in 3 weeks for cpap fitting. I have been reading up on everything and looking at loads of comments from people so I think in a practical sense I have some idea of what to expect. My problem is that every time I see a picture of a cpap mask I feel sick and panicky and that's just on a screen! I'm dreading even seeing it in real life let alone wearing it every night. I'm not usually a weak person. Far from it. I've got several other long term conditions that I've had to get used to living with but this one has me scared witless or rather the treatment has. Has anyone else been this anxious and how did you overcome it? Any tips would be very welcome!
0 likes, 2 replies
gridders_100 debbie27473
Posted
Hi Debbie. Will you have to have a full mask? I started CPAP in December and have a love hate relationship with my CRAP machine. I have a full mask. I was quite scared but, although I hate it, it wasn't as bad as expected.
You don't say what other medical conditions you have but concentrate on the benefits and remember that Apnoea can cause so many life threatening problems.
Finally I use humour to get around it and my friends and family talk about Darth Vader. It worked for me anyway.
remember it's not more chemicals being put in your system and sometimes the air from the machine is quite soothing, Once you get the fit right it's not so bad honestly (though it can fart at you when the pressure is high)
Do you have someone to go with you for the fitting?
debbie27473 gridders_100
Posted
Thank you for getting back to me. I am hoping my daughter will be able to come with me but the letter doesn't sound as if they encourage this practise! I will phone to check. I think part of my anxiety comes from the fact that I now live alone. No one to comfort me if I get into a state in the night. My partner was always good at making me see the funny side of a situation but its difficult on your own. My other conditions are spinal stenosis, diabetes, arthritis, copd, kidney disease and fibromyalgia. No wonder he left home eh?! If I could leave me, I would lol. I do keep trying to tell myself it is better than stopping breathing every couple of minutes and risking heart failure and at least it doesn't mean more medication. I think the waiting is making it worse x