Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Masks-sensory difficultly

42 replies

Ofti · 17/05/2020 20:32

Is anyone else feeling this? Not just a ‘I don’t want to’, but a proper trigger of rising panic?

I’ve never liked breathing through anything, even in winter I’d never let my scarf creep up. It makes my face get warm, my breathing restrict. It’s an illogical response like I’m being smothered, but one I’ve never got over. I’ve tried round the house. I couldn’t focus on anything else with a mask on or re-focus from the panicky feeling. My heart rate goes high and I’m really stressed by it.

I’ve been pretty worried about the idea of mandatory masks.

Obviously this isn’t the norm, but can anyone else relate to this?

For the sake of disclosure, maybe if I was much younger I’d be queried for asd at school. It’s not my only sensory issue among other factors, 2 of my children have a diagnosis and I highly relate to them. Please don’t take the piss, I know it’s not the most common response but it genuine and I have tried to manage the feeling (my other big fear is stickers on my skin 😂. And if I can’t get over that still...). Is anyone else, even a bit, stressed by them? It would be great to feel less alone

OP posts:
Original poster
Ofti · 17/05/2020 20:33

(I’m normally quite a balanced and relaxed person btw, beyond a few very specific fears, I’m not generally anxious or anything)

OP posts:
ChablisandCrisps · 17/05/2020 20:38

I could have written your post! I can't even bear to have a hood up on a coat because it will touch my face and I'll feel panicky and like I can't breathe! Keeping everything crossed it doesn't become mandatory. Thankfully I work somewhere where they are not permitted for security reasons so I am safe there at least!

Chista · 17/05/2020 20:38

OP I am with you on this, I cant stand anything covering my face, it makes me panic a bit as I feel suffocated. I know a few people like this

On the other side, I lip read a lot and am now finding it very difficult. I had to gp to hospital last week and I just couldn't understand the consultant.

Drivingdownthe101 · 17/05/2020 20:39

Yes I feel exactly the same. I won’t be able to wear one. If they are made compulsory I just won’t leave the house.

UnaOfStormhold · 17/05/2020 20:39

Would a visor be better?

Original poster
Ofti · 17/05/2020 20:40

I also look at lips at lot (still surprised how deaf I suddenly am with my glasses off!), but I haven’t really had the issue yet to know how that’ll be. Probably more annoyed for the person I’m looking blankly at!

Thanks for replying, starting to feel like a loon!

OP posts:
Original poster
Ofti · 17/05/2020 20:41

@UnaOfStormhold in short-no. But thank you for thinking

OP posts:
lovelilies · 17/05/2020 20:42

You'd really hate a ventilator/Cpap machine or an oxygen mask then Sad

SauvignonBlanche · 17/05/2020 20:45

I’m claustrophobic but can cope ok with masks.
My sensory deprivation is that I lip read, I’m having to wear a badge saying so as I’ve no idea what anyone is saying when they’re wearing a mask. Sad Confused

Drivingdownthe101 · 17/05/2020 20:47

You'd really hate a ventilator/Cpap machine or an oxygen mask then sad

Yes of course I would, the two dislikes aren’t mutually exclusive. I’ve had to have an oxygen mask before and yes, I did hate it.
Why do people do things like that? Yes of course being in hospital on a ventilator would be fucking awful. Doesn’t mean the OP can’t express her worry about wearing a face mask.

Original poster
Ofti · 17/05/2020 20:47

@lovelilies so would you. And yes I’ve been in that situation before, yes it was horrendous and had a lot of issues with tolerating it. Does that please you to know? I ended up being sedated initially in recovery at first when I woke up as the panic before I was fully awake was causing tachycardia and affecting my O2 levels etc. I then struggled with it hugely and didn’t manage it enough at all. What was the purpose in your comment? To cause further upset by mentioning an even worse idea to focus on? Or just the thought of someone distressed on some level?

OP posts:
Drivingdownthe101 · 17/05/2020 20:49

Oh and I had oxygen when I was intensive care with sepsis so yes, I know what it’s like being seriously fucking ill.
Still come out in a cold sweat when I think about wearing a face mask.

Drivingdownthe101 · 17/05/2020 20:50

And aren’t we being told to wear face masks to protect others, not ourselves? So your little dig makes no sense anyway.

SauvignonBlanche · 17/05/2020 20:52

You'd really hate a ventilator/Cpap machine or an oxygen mask then

What a twatty comment Hmm

Drivingdownthe101 · 17/05/2020 20:52

And one final things, you’re not sad Sad at all. It was a vicious little dig.

Original poster
Ofti · 17/05/2020 20:53

@driving if anything being ill made me worse, the embarrassment of being ‘that’ patient. The shame as well as the fear are mixed up in the memory of being an obvious hassle with the phobia.

OP posts:
TabbyStar · 17/05/2020 20:54

I'll struggle I think because of sexual assault. I also wouldn't like a CPAP machine or ventilator Hmm.

user1495884620 · 17/05/2020 20:54

Don't they put patients in an induced coma when they are ventilated, so there won't be any feelings about it.

highmarkingsnowmobile · 17/05/2020 20:58

Don't they put patients in an induced coma when they are ventilated, so there won't be any feelings about it.

Yes, but some people simply cannot resist passing a twatty comment to someone who struggles with sensory difficulty (or claustrophobia/PTSD/hard of hearing or deafness, etc) to take pots shots at them and label them and feel morally superior.

GrowThroughWhatYouGoThrough · 17/05/2020 20:59

Sounds stupid but can u start off wearing for 5 mins and build up?
I struggled with a mask but I have no choice I work on a ward and there mandatory going from 0-11.5 hours a day was awful but you do get use to it

KittenVsBox · 17/05/2020 21:00

Yep, the thought of a mask makes me feel shaky. You are doing better than me having even tried one on. I'm also anti scarves, hoods, polonecked tops.......

I'm not convinced that England will introduce compulsory masks, at least not in the short term. Well, that's how I'm dealing with it currently! I'm definitely only dealing with the stuff I have to at the moment. Will deal with it if it comes in.

Sleepyblueocean · 17/05/2020 21:07

"You'd really hate a ventilator/Cpap machine or an oxygen mask then"

Yes my son would hate those and in fact has to be sedated for most medical procedures but it doesn't change the fact there is no chance of keeping a mask on him.

highmarkingsnowmobile · 17/05/2020 21:11

My son is the same, Sleepy, he has HFA and OCD. But according to MN that makes him a selfish (insert abusive term, wanker, twat, murderer).

Cheekychops73 · 17/05/2020 21:16

@lovelilies You'd really hate a ventilator/Cpap machine or an oxygen mask then

FUD Angry

bellinisurge · 17/05/2020 21:23

It's not going to be mandatory. It may become unusual not to wear one but that's not the same thing.
Should we get to that stage, I will assume anyone not wearing one has a reasonable reason for not doing so. lJust as you should understand about hidden disabilities, so you should understand that some people can't wear them.
I presume all the "I'm a free spirit and you are all sheep " voices will eventually shut the fuck up. Don't want to wear one?, don't wear one. Want to wear one? Make sure you know how to do it properly.

Swipe left for the next trending thread