Taking off CPAP mask in the middle of the night?

General Discussion on any topic relating to CPAP and/or Sleep Apnea.
jsea111
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Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2014 5:40 pm

Taking off CPAP mask in the middle of the night?

Post by jsea111 » Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:13 pm

Hi,

I'm new here and have been using my CPAP for about 6 weeks. I've recently been finding myself taking my mask off in the middle of the night and not being completely aware.

Does anyone else do this? Any help to stop it?

Julie

library lady
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Location: Rochester, MN

Re: Taking off CPAP mask in the middle of the night?

Post by library lady » Tue Apr 15, 2014 9:50 pm

I have heard of people taping their masks on to make it harder to do that... gentle, medical paper tape or some such that isn't going to rip your skin off. You don't say what kind of mask you have but I'm thinking if a full-face mask, one long strip from one side of your cheek, across the mask and over to the other cheek (halfway on each side). Just be sure not to cover any of the vent holes in the mask. If a nasal mask, depending on what kind you have, you may be able to do the same thing, but if nasal pillows you might have to think of another way. I haven't done this with my mask, but tonight I'm going to tape my mouth shut and see if that helps with a couple of issues I'm having.

I'm relatively new here, 2 months in, so I don't have a specific answer, but I think it's normal for that to occur, especially when we are just starting the cpap journey... it takes awhile to fully acclimate to it. It doesn't happen to me much now, but it did during the first month. Last week, when I was experimenting with wearing a hat under my headgear to protect my hair from the velcro, the hat was bothering me, moving all over the place, and I decided to take it off... but since it was under my headgear I had to take the mask off. Took the hat off, then, instead of putting mask back on, I just went back to sleep. It wasn't intentional, but I was probably in a deep enough sleep that I just went back to la-la land. In the morning, I found the hat next to me in bed, and the mask sitting on top of the machine...

Good Luck!

_________________
Machine: PR System One REMStar 60 Series Auto CPAP Machine
Mask: AirFit™ F10 Full Face Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments:  Sleepyhead
Now using AirFit F10 mask; Quattro Air is backup mask. RemZzzz mask liners with both.

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salton
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Re: Taking off CPAP mask in the middle of the night?

Post by salton » Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:35 pm

Yes it happens. I used to do it quite a bit. Don't fret, as you get used to having it on, it will happen less. A few Months back, I went to bed without it because of a stuffy nose, and woke up in the middle of the night with it on! I guess I am so used to having it (and used to being awake in the daytime) that I put it on in my sleep.

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Mask: Swift™ FX Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Headgear
Additional Comments: AHI 58 Pressure 9cm O2 sat 75%

jsea111
Posts: 2
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2014 5:40 pm

Re: Taking off CPAP mask in the middle of the night?

Post by jsea111 » Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:35 pm

I wear a full face mask (started with a nose pillow but realized I'm a mouth breather).

I will try to tape it. Not only do I want to use the machine to start feeling better, but I'm required to use it for a certain period of time in my first 90 days for insurance reasons. So compliance is important for a lot of reasons!!

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kteague
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Location: West and Midwest

Re: Taking off CPAP mask in the middle of the night?

Post by kteague » Wed Apr 16, 2014 12:26 am

I've seen people who've tried all kinds of intricate wraps etc hoping to deter the sleep removal of the mask, but one can accomplish quite intricate tasks in their sleep. Some have reported finding their equipment placed neatly neatly in a drawer the morning after. The thing about using tape or a bandaid is the hope that the discomfort of removal will wake one enough to become aware of their behavior and stop.

@salton - Now that's a first.

_________________
Mask: TAP PAP Nasal Pillow CPAP Mask with Improved Stability Mouthpiece
Humidifier: S9™ Series H5i™ Heated Humidifier with Climate Control
Additional Comments: Bleep/DreamPort for full nights, Tap Pap for shorter sessions