CPAP for panic attacks

[HalfAsleep]

Serendipitous discovery…

I was having a panic attack one day, and couldn’t unwind it. Then, I realized a major feature of a panic attack is dysregulated breathing. So, I dug out my CPAP and an old P10 (never mind it doesn’t work for sleeping), hooked it up, and sat in bed reading and breathing for 1/2 hour. Voilà! My breathing became super regular and the panic was gone. Actually, I felt super calm. I bet my blood pressure dropped about 20 points. 

I’ve also used it during the day if my lungs are congested.

[Jskier]

I only wish. For me the mask is what causes the panic attacks.  My anxiety increases every night as I enter my bedroom to sleep.  Pillow mask not as bad, but I have really hard time trying to get used to a FF mask.  I haven't made it past two hours with a FF mask.

I used to fall asleep in minutes. Now I have to wait till my racing heartbeat eventually settles down to even consider trying to sleep.

[tpstinson72]

When acclimating myself to PAP, I'd run it when reading with no intention of sleeping. While getting used to it, I also experienced something similar, a reduction in anxiety. Full blown panic attacks were rare for me (thankfully) but if someone is already comfortable using their PAP device at bedtime, it definitely can help with a panic attack during the day! If you're struggling with PAP though, if you feel like you're suffocating or your breathing is restricted in any way when falling asleep under good circumstances, I wouldn't recommend it.   

[HalfAsleep]

@jskier....

Anxiety and panic attacks are a pain in the butt, yeah?

I'm not sure I'd want to use my F10 to calm it down, either, but I figured I didn't have to, and it might create complexity. All I used was an (old) nasal mask. Now, I can't use a nasal mask at night, because I get leaks and my mouth is inclined to open. But if you're sitting up and reading in bed, you're conscious, and you don't have to worry about any of that. And my goal here wasn't an apnea thing, but rather to get regular breathing when I was awake, a totally different proposition than when asleep. I was conscious, reading, sometimes even taking occasional gulps of tea; if my mouth randomly popped open, I could just shut it. Or leave  it open and then shut it. Whatever I felt like!

Good luck with your progress!

@tpstinson72

When I first got my CPAP, I also just sat in bed and ran it with the mask on, no intention of sleeping. It helped me get used to all the bits and pieces, and yes, it was very calming. This strategy in general worked out very well for me. I just used whatever settings my doc ordered.