I'm fairly new to CPAP and use the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows mask and a machine with a humidifier.  I find that I sleep light (which seems most of the time due to not really being comfortable with the hose and the logistics of rolling over, etc.).  I don't know if that is why, but I tend to wake after 3-5 hours, feeling that I am not getting enough air.  This doesn't seem possible as I can't imagine that it is REALLY less, but it feels like it's not enough by that point.  I tend to wake feeling desperately like I have to rip off my mask in order to breathe at that point.  I wonder if anyone else has dealt with this and has any suggestions on how to deal with this?  I know that the more hours I can keep the mask on per night, the better.

Hi Jenny,

I don't know if this will help, but if you are at all conscious when you wake up, try to lay there and take slow, deep breaths to calm your panic response and/or put your hand in front of your exhaust port so you can feel the air pouring out of it.  The main thing is to stay calm and breath slowly and deeply and prove to yourself (by your breathing and feeling the air), that you are fine, everything is OK and your CPAP is taking care of you.

Let us know how you are doing!

Vicki


_________________
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.
Marilyn Von Savant

That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.

Hi- I've had this problem recently. I've been waking up with my nose a little plugged and gasping for air through my mouth. I did two things which seem to have solved the problem- I set my thermostat at 68 degrees and I started putting a Breathe Right strip on my nose before bed. I've not woken up gasping since!

Donna

I also use the Mirage Swift Nasal Pillows and an Auto CPAP with Humidity.  You stated "fairly new" but didn't mention exactly how long you've been on therapy.  It took me 3-4 weeks to not have that "not enough air" feeling at night, particularly when I first put the mask on and tried to lay down.  I found sitting on the edge of the bed for 5 or 10 minutes breathing deeply with the mask on before laying down helped.  Also if you find youself waking up at 3-4 am you might want to ask you doctor about a sleep aid like Ambien CR.  Good Luck and hang in there.

Thanks for the suggestions.  I'll start trying them and see how it goes.  The Ambien idea made me think I might need an allergy pill that works all night long instead of the 4-6 hour OTC one I've been using because my nose does get stuffy from allergies.  Donna, the Breathe Right is a good idea and I have some so I may try that.  Vicki, actually, the night I  first posted my question, I read some of the on-line posts including a suggestion (I think it was yours, actually) to someone to briefly pull the nasal pillows out to feel the air for reassurance that it's still there.  I did try it that night and it seemed to help so it may be more panic than a stuffy nose.