Sleeping with blanket over my head?

xzombie · Post by **xzombie** » Wed May 12, 2010 4:06 pm

The other morning, in protest to the sun coming up so dang early I threw my blanket over my head and went back to sleep. Now normally this doesn't really work because after a few minutes of CO2 build up you're brain wakes you up and tells pull your head out (so to speak). But then I got thinking (always a bad thing when I'm trying to sleep), my machine is supplying fresh air under the blanket and while there's still the CO2 problem it shouldn't be as bad because a) the machine is bringing me fresh air, b) it's exhausting a combination of fresh and CO2 right? So tell me, why shouldn't I just give the early morning sun the finger and remain in blissfully dark whooshy sleep?

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Wed May 12, 2010 4:14 pm

The idea is to VENT the C02, not keep it in bed with you !

kurth83 · Post by **kurth83** » Wed May 12, 2010 4:20 pm

I do that myself, but I use a dark colored hand towel, and don't cover
the mask, I just bring it down to cover my eyes and the top of my nose.

I would take a close look at your CO2 port and make sure the blanket is not
touching the exit holes, and that the blanket has gaps so air can exit.

They make blackout curtains too.

DoriC · Post by **DoriC** » Wed May 12, 2010 5:52 pm

How about room darkening shades or venetian blinds?

blakepro · Post by **blakepro** » Wed May 12, 2010 6:01 pm

ha ha ha.. I'm glad I'm not the only one that has had this thought run through my head.

When you live in the land of the midnight sun, the light in the summer can be the bane of a good nights rest. Dori has the best suggestion, but if you are supplementing your curtains by putting a blanket over your head, I would have to suggest that you keep that vent as clear as possible to keep things working as best as possible. maybe wrap the blankets under your chin and around the side of your face until it gets to where it can cover your eyes.

xzombie · Post by **xzombie** » Wed May 12, 2010 6:18 pm

Blackout curtains sound like too much hassle. Maybe I should get a burka!

patdart · Post by **patdart** » Wed May 12, 2010 6:29 pm

I did that as a kid, but then I discovered sleep masks and love them. I have no curtains and two walls of glass so it is a problem. It also helps keep my cpap mask in place. I do use nasal pillows, so that may make it unpractical for you, but I showed my DME my mask and told them that it was more important to me than cpap and they found me an Resmed Opti that is perfect and I adapted to immediately as a side sleeper. Hope this idea helps.

Catnapper · Post by **Catnapper** » Wed May 12, 2010 6:42 pm

Consider the Headrest mask. The exhaust vents are at the top, above your forehead. You can put the blanket over your face and have no problems with blocking the vents.

That over the head vent is the greatest thing about this mask. Check it out. Out of the box it is kinda scary looking, but lots of us remove that headgear and just use some stretchy straps. There are lots of threads about this mask.

Catnapper - Joanie

GumbyCT · Post by **GumbyCT** » Wed May 12, 2010 7:25 pm

I don't see a problem with it. The air you get is from outside the blanky right?

oscar98 · Post by **oscar98** » Wed May 12, 2010 7:32 pm

GumbyCT wrote:I don't see a problem with it. The air you get is from outside the blanky right?

That's what I was wondering. I never slept with the blanket over my head prior to cpap because I hated the warm stuffy air under there. Now that I have my own personal fresh air delivery system I'm liking pulling the blanket up to block out the early morning light.

However, if there is reason I should not be doing this I will stop.

feeling_better · Post by **feeling_better** » Wed May 12, 2010 7:46 pm

xzombie wrote:The oteher morning, in protest to the sun coming up so dang early I threw my blanket over my head and went back to sleep. Now normally this doesn't really work because after a few minutes of CO2 build up you're brain wakes you up and tells pull your head out (so to speak). But then I got thinking (always a bad thing when I'm trying to sleep), my machine is supplying fresh air under the blanket and while there's still the CO2 problem it shouldn't be as bad because a) the machine is bringing me fresh air, b) it's exhausting a combination of fresh and CO2 right? So tell me, why shouldn't I just give the early morning sun the finger and remain in blissfully dark whooshy sleep?

My opinion: Covering with blanket as you mentioned above, WHEN YOU ARE ON CPAP, is quite safe, and has no effect on your oxygen intake or co2 exhaust at all, provided your blanket material does not obstruct vent holes of your mask. To prevent this last problem (even unintentionally bedding material covering the vents), long time ago I put a little wire guard material attachment around the vent holes of my Swift-Lt, raised about 1/3" above the surface.

Muse-Inc · Post by **Muse-Inc** » Wed May 12, 2010 8:37 pm

Navy washcloth folded into long quarters works great: blocks light, cooler than an eye mask, in my case covers my up-side ear so if the fan is running, the circualting air isn't blowing over that ear (got short short fur) and waking me up.

guest lurker · Post by **guest lurker** » Thu May 13, 2010 10:13 am

Feeling better....Can you tell how you screened the vent, or post a picture?

Wolfhound668 · Post by **Wolfhound668** » Thu May 13, 2010 10:30 am

I've tried it but the hissing from the air venting is magnified too much for me.

base2balls · Post by **base2balls** » Thu May 13, 2010 10:42 am

I was going to say put on one of them sleep masks and then put on the pap and try that. my room is pretty bright too in the monrings wether it is sunny or not. I have venition blinds and drapes are closed, but it is too bright to be able to sleep in. So I still can sleep, but I like my room dark too. Take care and have a great day, Huggies, Fay

Sleeping with blanket over my head?

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Machine	Mask

Additional Comments: 10cm EPR 0

Mask	Humidifier