My Sleep Apnea Anxiety

By elizabeth8444

1 min read

In my extended family on my Mum's side of the family, there has been a lot of our family undiagnosed with sleep apnea. I was one of them until just recently, today I went to a hospital appointment and got my CPAP machine. Right now I am fighting the "It's too dangerous, it might hurt me...." anxiety issue.

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Lori.Foster Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="elizabeth8444" user-id="4116534"/>. I was scrolling through stories in the community and came across yours. I wondered whether you ever found a mask that was comfortable and whether you addressed the other issues that were haunting you. Full face masks can be scary at first. Some people get used to them. Others move on to nasal masks. I hope you found something that helps. Best wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
Lynne Moderator
Hi Elizabeth, I recently came across your story and was wondering if things have gotten any better with the cpap? - Lynne (team member)
Tamara K Sellman Moderator
<inline-mention username="elizabeth8444" user-id="4116534"/> sounds like my family! My youngest brother finally did get CPAP after removing his tonsils did not do the trick. He's also obese and now has type 2 diabetes; I always wonder whether treatment earlier (literally, during childhood, as he snored even then) would have made a difference. My oldest brother has had a triple bypass and is now glucose intolerant/pre-diabetic. Both my parents had OSA and were never treated; one of them passed recently from heart failure, no doubt due to ongoing issues caused by OSA (hardened arteries, valve damage associated with high blood pressure, vascular disease--all of which are linked to untreated OSA). To learn more about how the heart suffers when OSA goes untreated: <a href='https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/clinical/heart-disease' target='_blank'>https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/clinical/heart-disease</a> The anxiety is real but the truth is that CPAP will save your life. It may seem uncomfortable at first, unpleasant, but if you consider the many ways that untreated OSA can wreak chronic, permanent havoc on your body, shortening your life, it can make going through the initial discomfort of using CPAP worth the challenge. I hope since you last posted you are doing better; if not, just hit us up here in the forum... maybe some of us veterans can give you some tips! Best wishes and good luck! Tamara (SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net community advocate)
elizabeth8444 Member
Thanks<inline-mention username="Kristin Schwoebel" user-id="4117529"/>.
Lisa Bond, RPSGT, RST, FAAST Member
<inline-mention username="elizabeth8444" user-id="4116534"/> How is it going? Getting any better? Will share another article with you that you may find also helpful <a href='https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/tips-claustrophobia' target='_blank'>https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/tips-claustrophobia</a> Warmly, Lisa (SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member and Advocate)
1. elizabeth8444 Member
 <inline-mention username="Lisa Bond" user-id="4117666"/> still no good. I had other issues before I had to go onto the CPAP and they have come back to haunt me again.
2. Janet Plank Moderator
 <inline-mention username="elizabeth8444" user-id="4116534"/> hello. Some things haunted me, putting on the cpap. I was consistently pulling it off and putting it back on. This happened after I found a mask that was comfortable and I could sleep and wake refreshed. This was maybe the trigger of some bad memories. I came to terms with it over time and it’s no longer an issue. I’m not sure what is haunting you. I want you to know that I’m here for you, and we all are. There are other types of masks, hopefully over time, you’ll find a good fit and style. Hoping that you have a restful night. Janet (SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member)
Kristin Schwoebel Community Admin
<inline-mention username="elizabeth8444" user-id="4116534"/> , starting a CPAP can be really scary but you are not alone in this! Sharing this article with you on starting a CPAP you may find helpful: <a href='https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/early-frustrations-cpap' target='_blank'>https://sleepapnea.sleep-disorders.net/living/early-frustrations-cpap</a>. Keep us posted on how you are doing. Warmly, Kristin (SleepApnea.Sleep-Disorders.net Team Member)

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