Waking up in middle of night and taking off mask

[JohnMudie]

I have been experiencing a lot of fatigue in my life recently and trying to find the cause Today I finally got around to checking my Dream Mapper data .

I found to my horror that I seem to be putting on my mask every night and then taking it off at say 1:00 am and spending the rest of the night without treatment.
Please see http://cpap.mudie.info for details.

Suggestions welcomed.

John who thought he was getting good treatment just by putting his mask on every night but wasn't.

[babydinosnoreless]

Welcome

Some people have mentioned taping the mask to their face with a little strip of tape so that it wakes them up when they try to take it off.

[kteague]

Hi John. Is this a fairly new thing or do you think you've been taking your mask off for a long time? How long has it been since you checked your stats and everything looked ok? It would be interesting to see your machine data to see if you are having events right before you take your mask off. A long time ago I resorted to using band-aid style bandages across the straps onto my cheek. Removing them caused enough discomfort for me to wake enough to stop the unwanted behavior. Any chance you're using a new mask and your sleeping brain isn't used to yet? If this is new behavior with a long standing treatment I'd want to see my data to be sure pressure needs haven't changed and more events are getting past the treatment. Good luck with things.

[Vinny V]

I have the same problem sort of, but I shut off the machine and I un hook the hose from the mask.. But leave the mask on. Wake up hours later with the machine off.
This just started a week ago , every night so far
And have no recollection of doing it

[Chris8243]

First - I looked at your link - very interesting!

I have a cure for removing your mask during the night. Kidding - but true story. From reading on here recently, there was a post asking about cameras to record yourself sleeping to see what we're doing, specifically in regard to removing masks. A cheap video camera was recommended and I bought one. Been recording myself for the past week or so - and I've stopped taking my mask off. Haven't done it once since I got the camera. So obviously not a solution but I can't catch myself doing it. I'd started waking with the mask next to me, no recollection of taking it off or turning the machine off.

It's called Wyze Cam, $25 on Amazon.

And like everyone else asked, any mask changes or leaks? Maybe it's the mask bugging you for whatever reason? I know I started really having issues with leaks, air blowing on my cheek causing me to wake up. Tried several different masks and have settled on Resmed AirTouch P20 with a memory foam seal. So far I've kept it on all night, no leaking.

[chunkyfrog]

If tape on the face is ineffective, get a little HAIR under the tape.

[Chris8243]

If tape on the face is ineffective, get a little HAIR under the tape.

[Chris8243]

First - I looked at your link - very interesting!

I have a cure for removing your mask during the night. Kidding - but true story. From reading on here recently, there was a post asking about cameras to record yourself sleeping to see what we're doing, specifically in regard to removing masks. A cheap video camera was recommended and I bought one. Been recording myself for the past week or so - and I've stopped taking my mask off. Haven't done it once since I got the camera. So obviously not a solution but I can't catch myself doing it. I'd started waking with the mask next to me, no recollection of taking it off or turning the machine off.

It's called Wyze Cam, $25 on Amazon.

And like everyone else asked, any mask changes or leaks? Maybe it's the mask bugging you for whatever reason? I know I started really having issues with leaks, air blowing on my cheek causing me to wake up. Tried several different masks and have settled on Resmed AirTouch P20 with a memory foam seal. So far I've kept it on all night, no leaking.

So last night I took the mask off after about 1-1/2 hrs. I reached over & turned the machine off. Undid the straps & removed the mask. Rubbed my nose & cheeks, rolled over. All caught on camera. No distress, no waking, stayed asleep. No memory of it in the morning, didn't get up to use the bathroom or anything. It's a mystery!

[Diotima]

Wow this seems bizarre. I remember when I was younger I used to turn off my alarm constantly and miss appointments due to this strange behavior. I'd have no recollection of doing it. It was so bad that I used to set up multiple alarm clocks on other side of room and still would turn those off, go to bed, wake up and have no recollection of doing it... night after night... I eventually stopped doing it but it really perplexed me for years!

If I may make a suggestion... have you tried putting a chin strap over your mask and then taping it? That extra layer of security it would seem bizarre to do that and have no recollection of doing it.

[zonker]

If I may make a suggestion... have you tried putting a chin strap over your mask and then taping it? That extra layer of security it would seem bizarre to do that and have no recollection of doing it.

a most excellent suggestion! and you've sparked a suggestion of my own.

to the OP: you may want to try a hairband, available at the hair care section of your grocer or drug store. cheaper than a chin strap and easier to buy.

good luck!