Pulling mask off in sleep

Hey,

I've joined specifically for advice on this issue; I just can't stop myself pulling my mask off in my sleep.

I'm about 3 months into treatment, and have also been diagnosed with REM Behavioural Disorder, so I'm often quite active at night and sleepwalk regularly. Even as I'm falling asleep, though, I'm often clawing at the (full face) mask because I feel so claustrophobic and it's so difficult to breathe in. I'm on zopiclone to help me be less active through the night, and can't use tape due to a big beard. Did anyone have any success stepping up the pressure incrementally? I'm yet to do more than 3 hours with it on, and I'm just about willing to try anything.

Try wearing the mask while watching TV, etc... to get used to having it on. Try taping straps to your face so that pulling it off is more likely to wake you enough to readjust it and go back to sleep vs throwing it off entirely. Try shaving for the cause... , it may be worth it.

Ben3uk wrote:Hey,

I've joined specifically for advice on this issue; I just can't stop myself pulling my mask off in my sleep.

I'm about 3 months into treatment, and have also been diagnosed with REM Behavioural Disorder, so I'm often quite active at night and sleepwalk regularly. Even as I'm falling asleep, though, I'm often clawing at the (full face) mask because I feel so claustrophobic and it's so difficult to breathe in. I'm on zopiclone to help me be less active through the night, and can't use tape due to a big beard. Did anyone have any success stepping up the pressure incrementally? I'm yet to do more than 3 hours with it on, and I'm just about willing to try anything.

Hi Ben,

Are you limited to full face mask due to being a mouth breather or would nasal/nasal pillow masks be a possibility? The reason I am asking is you might find them more comfortable and less claustrophobic and as a result, would increase your chances of keeping the mask on through out the night.

And even if you are a mouth breather, many people who have found that nasal pillows do such a good job of opening up their sinuses that it isn't a problem at night. Of course, that might not true in your situation but I just wanted to mention that.

The other issue is that you might want to investigate the possibility with your doctor that zopliclone might be causing sleep walking. If you do a google search, that side effect has been mentioned.

Regarding your question of stepping up the pressure incrementally, is that because you feel it isn't high enough or it is too much?

49er

49er wrote:many people who have found that nasal pillows do such a good job of opening up their sinuses that it isn't a problem at night

Many people? Where did you get this information?

ChicagoGranny wrote:

49er wrote:many people who have found that nasal pillows do such a good job of opening up their sinuses that it isn't a problem at night

Many people? Where did you get this information?

Sorry, I should have said some people. If you want specific information, I can't give you a pub med citation. But posters have spoken about it on this forum.

Now if someone has a structural issue such as a deviated septum, being able to use a nasal/nasal pillow mask will probably be less likely although obviously, I don't want to say never.

Merry Christmas CG and Happy New Year.

49er

Could try wearing a chin strap over the mask straps to make it a little more difficult to remove the mask.