Early morning mask leak?

[paul9123]

I am only on my fifth night of CPAP therapy, but one thing that has been consistent is that I wake up in the morning between 4-6am with the mask leaking and I can never seem to get it quite right again after that. More often than not I have taken the mask off, rolled over, and slept for a couple hours more.

Because of all the mask hassle, I have also been going to bed earlier -- 11pm instead of my normal 12-1.

I asked about a new "foolproof" mask but suspected what I was seeing was just part of the process and I'd see it with any mask -- the technician at the sleep center confirmed this. He also suggested that the reason the mask was leaking is that my because of the therapy, my body was getting more sleep in less time and the leaks in the morning were caused by my body "pushing back" at the pressure because it was time to get up. His advice -- mask leaks at 5:30 am, go with it, get up.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice? I guess because of my years with undiagnosed sleep apnea my inclination is to stay in bed and get as much sleep as I can.

[Bert_Mathews]

I am only on my fifth night of CPAP therapy, but one thing that has been consistent is that I wake up in the morning between 4-6am with the mask leaking and I can never seem to get it quite right again after that. More often than not I have taken the mask off, rolled over, and slept for a couple hours more.

Because of all the mask hassle, I have also been going to bed earlier -- 11pm instead of my normal 12-1.

I asked about a new "foolproof" mask but suspected what I was seeing was just part of the process and I'd see it with any mask -- the technician at the sleep center confirmed this. He also suggested that the reason the mask was leaking is that my because of the therapy, my body was getting more sleep in less time and the leaks in the morning were caused by my body "pushing back" at the pressure because it was time to get up. His advice -- mask leaks at 5:30 am, go with it, get up.

Has anyone else experienced this? Any advice? I guess because of my years with undiagnosed sleep apnea my inclination is to stay in bed and get as much sleep as I can.

I think your TECHNICIAN is right... and your Body know what it needs!
Just a warning you might end up a OLDFART like me... going to sleep @9:00 pm & up @ 5:30-6:30

The body ENJOYS 8-9 hours and with the DVR I don't miss and programs.?.?.?
BERT

[mdintx]

Well do you feel rested at 5:30am? If so, you might try getting up and seeing how your day goes.

Also, are your leaks due to moisture/oily face? I'm trying out the Hybrid and the leak hour for me is 4:30 am. At that point, I need to dry my face and the mask.

[Mike_Snodgrass]

I get the same thing! I thought mine was due to the oil, etc., and will now try to clean my face and mask if it happens at like 4am and I want to keep sleeping. But I've experienced exactly what you are asking.

[mdintx]

Mike,

Let me tell you what worked pretty well for me. I placed strips of 3M Micropore tape on the areas that got moist and leaked. The silicone will form a seal with the Micropore tape. I tried this one night with my Hybrid and leaks were not an issue. Buying lots of tape becomes the issue!

[Mike_Snodgrass]

Thanks for the advice - will check that out. With the nasal pillows and the over the mouth piece, sometimes it's hard to find the right spot. Problematic when it's one nostrel that leask, for example.

[BlackSpinner]

More often than not I have taken the mask off, rolled over, and slept for a couple hours more.

Just because it leaks a bit is no reason to take it off, even a leaking mask is better then no mask.
Mine leaks more in the morning too, your body is super relaxed, jaw drops open and back, mouth falls almost out of mask. I shut the mouth roll over, giggle the mask a bit and go back to sleep.

[2flamingos]

Spooky - I came to the site this morning to post almost the same thing!

I have noticed lately that my leak line is basically flat for the first 3-4 hours, but then it starts acting like a fool for a little while, goes flat, and then crazy. I thought there was something weird going on. Now I see that it is not necessarily uncommon.

I have also noticed that usually on the nights that it is like that, I do wake up earlier (before the alarm), feel more rested and in a good mood. And, my AHI is usually in the 2-3 range.

I do, however, have one somewhat related question for anyone using the Opus 360. Have you had issues with the lower strap of heardear, sliding/moving up? I think that this may be some of what is causing the leaks (I wake up and feel/hear the leak and then notice the headgear has moved). I am usually still somewhat asleep when this occurs so I don't think to check the clock and compare to the graphs. I have tried adjusting each of the straps, and everything else I can think of (short of adding another strap that is angled down a little more to be closer to the base of the skull). Any suggestions?

[paul9123]

Wow! Amazed at the response. Blows my mind that we're all having the same issue at the same time.

The first night it happened was my first night on CPAP and I did lie there for a little bit with the mask sounding like a leafblower until my wife threw me out of bed. I felt fantastic.

The other days I have tossed the mask and rolled over. One of them I actually did it in my sleep (woke up with the mask in my hand!). I did not feel as great those days but the tech suggested it's because I'm stacking an hour or so of crummy apnea sleep on top of good sleep, and I think he's probably correct. Energy levels were good.

Just a big adjustment for me. I went from being an insomniac (and therefore valuing sack time) to falling asleep all the time due to apnea (wanting even more sack time) and now I'm a morning person? Huh?

Could be oil on the skin. I also have a goatee that I am trying to avoid shaving off. I do keep it very very short.

The "your body is pushing back as you exhale" sounded a little fishy to me.

The reason I take the mask off is between the leafblower noise and the air everywhere it disturbs both me and my wife, and I'm a data geek, so I don't want two hours of full tilt leakage skewing the leakage numbers for the rest of the night, which I do want to see. Don't have a reader or software yet so I'm reliant on the summary data displayed on the CPAP.

Micropore tape sounds like a good idea, looks like the beard might have to go.

I am kind of ratcheting it down tight, too. I tried the "let it float like a hovercraft" approach by at my pressure (12), no go.

[SeaPappy]

Having your heated humidifier set too high can cause excessive moisture and oiliness around the seal toward the end of the night. You might try turning it down or off and see what happens.

[2flamingos]

and now I'm a morning person? Huh?

I can SO relate to that! waking up early AND in a good mood - its starting to scare my SO and our friends!

I also have a goatee that I am trying to avoid shaving off. I do keep it very very short.

Micropore tape sounds like a good idea, looks like the beard might have to go.

I too have a goatee, and I use Micropore Tape - without any problem! I just have to use a big enough piece to extend beyond thye goatee and then make sure that there is a good "seal" on the edges and around my mouth.

Good luck!

[paul9123]

Having your heated humidifier set too high can cause excessive moisture and oiliness around the seal toward the end of the night. You might try turning it down or off and see what happens.

Thanks. I'm still figuring out what I need as far as the humidifier. I've done some nights on passover, some on the middle setting. I didn't notice a difference either way with mask leaks but I wasn't looking for it, either.

Maybe tonight I will try passover again and pay closer attention.

[paul9123]

Let me tell you what worked pretty well for me. I placed strips of 3M Micropore tape on the areas that got moist and leaked. The silicone will form a seal with the Micropore tape. I tried this one night with my Hybrid and leaks were not an issue. Buying lots of tape becomes the issue!

Thank you, this tip did wonders for me last night. Put micropore tape on my face anywhere the mask touched. Had a little more trouble fitting the mask to start, almost gave up, ended up with it cinched probably just a little tighter than it should have been, but NO problem during the night. Slept from 11:30-7am, mask stayed in place, .12 leakage.

Thanks!