I keep removing my mask while sleeping

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RalphT
Posts: 7
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2018 2:23 pm

I keep removing my mask while sleeping

Post by RalphT » Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:35 pm

Any suggestions?

I had to switch from nasal pillows to a full face mask because of a mouth leak, and I'm having issues getting adjusted. It was OK for a while, but lately I've started taking the mask off without remembering that I did. Any suggestions are welcome.

I will be getting a new bed this weekend, we'll see if that changes anything.

Thanks,
Ralph

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Wulfman...
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Joined: Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:41 pm
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Re: I keep removing my mask while sleeping

Post by Wulfman... » Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:59 pm

RalphT wrote:
Mon Sep 10, 2018 2:35 pm
Any suggestions?

I had to switch from nasal pillows to a full face mask because of a mouth leak, and I'm having issues getting adjusted. It was OK for a while, but lately I've started taking the mask off without remembering that I did. Any suggestions are welcome.

I will be getting a new bed this weekend, we'll see if that changes anything.

Thanks,
Ralph
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CPAPSteve
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Re: I keep removing my mask while sleeping

Post by CPAPSteve » Mon Sep 10, 2018 4:13 pm

I removed my mask a handful of times in the middle of the night without much recollection of doing so. What I found helped was wearing the mask before attaching the hose as I was winding down in bed (reading a book or just laying there to relax) and just before I fell asleep I’d hook the hose up and fall asleep. Got me used to the feeling of a mask on my face. The other thing that I started using is anti-leak strap over my full face mask. This helped prevent leaks AND also made it harder to remove the mask in my sleep. I do remember once partially waking from a dream that I had an octopus on my face (it was my mask) and I was struggling to get it off but I couldn’t because of the extra strap. My failed subconscious attempt at mask removal failed which woke me and made me realize what I was doing.

It just takes time to get used to it and your mysterious mask removals will likely become a thing of the past :)

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Muse-Inc
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Re: I keep removing my mask while sleeping

Post by Muse-Inc » Tue Sep 11, 2018 12:25 am

Might try a hybrid-style FFM. They have pillows and cover the mouth so no loss of therapy air.

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Midwest_non_sleeper
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Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2018 1:03 pm

Re: I keep removing my mask while sleeping

Post by Midwest_non_sleeper » Tue Sep 11, 2018 9:47 am

Many people do this in the first few weeks of therapy. It gradually goes away as your brain accepts the mask. Give it time, it will become normal and you should stop pulling it off nightly.

As you begin to fix the little leaks and other things, it gets better. Stick with it.