Various newbie questions - help/tips appreciated

[prestifare]

Hi there!

I'm fairly new to the CPAP / apnea "scene", but very dedicated as I've realized the potential of CPAP treatment. Still not completely friends with my setup, and thus not sleeping properly yet (~1 month into treatment).

I've run into a few obstacles using the system, and I hope someone here can provide some tips concerning the issues I'm facing.

The gear I'm using is a ResMed Autoset II S8 with a Mirage Swift LT mask/headgear.

1. I keep removing the headgear in my sleep. Most times I'm not even aware of this, and not conscious enough to refit the headgear. I've read a few posts mentioning that this may indicate insufficient pressure levels? Are there any other factors that may contribute to this behavior?

2. I'm also having some issues with the headgear itself. The straps (especially the one around the neck) slips and moves quite a bit (probably main cause of issues mentioned in #1). I sleep on my side for the most part, and apparently my head bobs around a bit in my sleep. I've tried adjusting the tightness of the strap, but pulling it tight enough to fixate the strap makes the pressure on my nose and nostrils too uncomfortable. Are there other headgear/mask alternatives that could be more suitable? I realize that once I adjust to the system I'll probably not move about quite as much as a result of sleeping calmer, but as for now this problem seems to be what's keeping me from sleeping through the night with the gear on. I came across this one piece (and obviously forgot to bookmark or order, so can't remember what it was called) that had "beefier" straps, and sort of looked like it was made out of something similar to wet suit material. Maybe it was green or olive colored, can't remember. If this rings any bells, please shout out. I think headgear with a snugger fit that is less prone to shifting position would really help me out.

Cheers,

Are

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, Are! Glad you found this forum—SO much useful info and everyone here is so willing to help!

You're lucky to have found this forum as you begin CPAP—took me almost year before I found this place and, with the help of folks here, got my CPAP therapy working as it should. It does take time to get everything tweaked and working at its best, so patience is key as one begins CPAP. It's pretty normal to remove one's CPAP mask during sleep during the initial use of CPAP--happenend to me as well, just a normal "relfex" reaction to having a foreign object on one's face that is not "supposed" to be there as far as our subconscious in concerned.

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[katherinefulmer]

Pugsy has said on the removing mask issue:

Most of us have removed the mask in the middle of the night and not remembered it at one time or another. Unless you make a habit of it then don't worry about it. Should you find that you are doing it pretty regularly then you might consider a little taping to the face or put something on your hands (socks or mittens) to make mask removal difficult.

From this post you'll see that is very common among newbies:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45945&p=411940&hili ... ht#p411940

There's only one headgear for the Swift LT as far as we know around the office. But there are comfort items you can buy that may help with traction:

https://www.cpap.com/simple-find-cpap-p ... -pads.html