Taking off mask during the night

[karensh]

Hi. I have been using my cpap machine for about 6 months. My sleep doctor looked at my report and said I am not using it for 4 hours a night (I guess that is the minimum needed for optimum help). I have been stalking the boards here and don't see this question but I apologize if it has been asked before. I find my mask on the floor when I wake up in the morning. I don't remember taking it off but I never wake up wearing it. I feel so much better even with the small amount of use I get and I'm wondering if there are any suggestions to keep it on when I am unconsciously removing it..............I have tried 5 or 6 masks and the one I have now feels the most comfortable. I have the nasal pillow with one strap behind the head. Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

[grayghost4]

use surgical tape or duct tape and tape the straps to your face, so it won't slip off and you will feel it and wake up if you try to remove it.

[LSAT]

Hi. I have been using my cpap machine for about 6 months. My sleep doctor looked at my report and said I am not using it for 4 hours a night (I guess that is the minimum needed for optimum help). I have been stalking the boards here and don't see this question but I apologize if it has been asked before. I find my mask on the floor when I wake up in the morning. I don't remember taking it off but I never wake up wearing it. I feel so much better even with the small amount of use I get and I'm wondering if there are any suggestions to keep it on when I am unconsciously removing it..............I have tried 5 or 6 masks and the one I have now feels the most comfortable. I have the nasal pillow with one strap behind the head. Thank you in advance for any help you can give.

For optimum help you need to wear the mask ALL NIGHT. It doesn't do you any good on the floor. If you haven't already tried it...wear the mask while watching TV so your mind can get use to the feeling on your face. (The 4 hour figure is normally a compliance issue for the insurance company)

[library lady]

This is a common problem for all of us the in the beginning stages of this journey, so we have train our brains to know that the alien on our faces is OK. I'd recommend reading instead of TV in the few hours before bed with your mask on while you acclimate as TV and computer/smart phone are not conducive to good sleep. If you don't like to read, find another activity(jigsaw puzzle? to do while wearing the mask), or even everyday chores such as laundry. Even TV will help you acclimate to the mask if that's really your thing.

[karensh]

Thank you all. I do read before bed but never thought to put it on then! I will try all the suggestions!! I REALLY want to use it!!! Thanks again!!

[AllieKat]

Hi there. I am newer than you at all this, but I was doing the same thing; Here is how I overcame that....I self-talk just before falling asleep, mask stays on until the alarm goes off, mask stays on until alarm goes off, over and over for about 5 minutes. Since then, the 1 or two times it was coming off, I actually woke up to find myself taking it off...I stopped, put it back on and said "not until the alarm goes off". Worth a try.

[knothead]

I took off my mask during the nite, never knew I did it till the morning. I tried the method of wearing it around and watching tv with it on just to get my brain to accept it, seems to have worked, been wearing it now for about 5 years and love it...good luck.