Dont remember taking mask off in sleep

[Dan on CPAP Day 7]

My wife woke me last night on day six. My mask was in my hand. I don't remember taking it off. She made sure I put it back on and I was back in dream land with no effort (Tylenol PM, one tablet, not two) was in my system helping me slumber. I 've been switching the Tylenol PM for Valerian Root 450 mg x 2, Power to Sleep PM x 2 and a cup of Kava tea before bedtime. Not sure what is really working at this ealry stage, might try patting my stomach and circling hand over head next - jk... I'm highly motivated to make CPAP work for me and my family. My only problem is that the mask seems to leak at chin area when I start to doze off - keeping me awake and alert to keep the seal - Not sure if a constant seal is 100% necassary. How am I donig veterans of CPAP?

[Muse-Inc]

Welcome Dan! Great folks and info here.

Please register and complete your equipment profile (see User Control Panel under the Seach field at top left). Select text rather than icons.

Without knowing which mask you're using, no one can make good suggestions about the leaking 'cause there's a whole lotta masks. The most common types are nasal, nasal pillow, hybrid-style, full face mask (FFM); several mfgs make one of each type. As to taking it off, many new to CPAP therapy report precisely what you have, so it's common. A suggestion, get some paper tape and tape the mask to your skin, that way when you try to take it off, it pulls and reminds you to leave it alone -- hope that helps a bit.

[Dan on CPAP]

Thanks for the encouragement and advice, I changed my settings to text. So what about sedation such as Tylenol PM and other over the counter stuff?

[kteague]

Ahhh, the dreaded woke-with-mask-in-hand scene huh? I did that for a few months. Should decrease as the equipment becomes more familiar. A bandaid attaching the mask to your skin might be enough to jolt you and remind you to leave the mask alone. Hang in there!
Kathy

[JohnBFisher]

... So what about sedation such as Tylenol PM and other over the counter stuff?

You might want to look at the following URL:

http://www.tylenol.com/print.jhtml?id=t ... qprint.inc

You will see that Tylenol PM contains the same active ingredient as Benadryl.

Diphenhydramine, the sleep aid in TYLENOL® PM, can aggravate the following medical conditions:

• Breathing problems such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
• Glaucoma.
• Difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland.

And if you go the the following websites, you can find more about the side effects of Tylenol PM and Advil PM:

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/tylenol-pm-side-effects.html
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/advil-pm-side-effects.html

Because I use xPAP and the pressure already tends to dry out my nose and throat (the heated humidifer helps, of course), I tend to stay away from Benadryl since it makes that worse.

BUT, I also note you are trying differnt things and rotating what you do. That is a great idea. I assume part of what you are doing is trying to help calm yourself and make it easier to continue to use the mask. And that sure makes sense to me, since I still sometimes struggle with a bit of claustrophobia 18 years after I started to use xPAP. When my sleep is good, I welcome putting on the mask. But some nights, having something to help me sleep is also welcome.

As you adjust to using the unit, you will probably discover you need less of an aid to fall asleep.

An alternative might be to discuss one of the generic medications to help you sleep (a hypnotic). Some are now available as generics and much more reasonably priced as a result.

So, I understand the idea of using this approach to help you learn to sleep with a CPAP unit. Compliance is important. And if it is easier to fall asleep it makes compliance easier. But over the long haul, you will want to wean yourself off of these as you adjust to CPAP. And rotating through different tools to help you sleep will make it easier to see sleep as something that happens when you put on the CPAP mask, rather than when you take something before sleep. Psychologically and physcically that should help you avoid a dependance on any one thing.

So, good luck.

[bdp522]

My only problem is that the mask seems to leak at chin area when I start to doze off - keeping me awake and alert to keep the seal - Not sure if a constant seal is 100% necassary

A constant seal is very important. If the mask leaks too much you aren't getting the proper pressure to stent the airway open. Your mask should have come with a booklet that has a little chart showing the intended leak rate for the mask. You want to be as close to that number as possible.
Try wearing the mask with the machine on while awake. Watch TV, read or listen to the radio. This will help your body get used to the mask and machine sooner. Kathy is right a bandaid or tape may help remind you to keep the mask on. Be sure the mask is comfortable. Discomfort may be making you remove the mask. Constant leaks could also make you remove it. You may need to try a chin strap to hold the chin in place (not allow it to drop back or down) and maintain a seal.

Brenda

[Bearcat42]

Ahhh, the dreaded woke-with-mask-in-hand scene huh? I did that for a few months. Should decrease as the equipment becomes more familiar. A bandaid attaching the mask to your skin might be enough to jolt you and remind you to leave the mask alone. Hang in there!
Kathy

Kathy is right. You should notice symptoms of this problem lessen over time. Alot of us have had this problem as we have started treatment. For me,it was a change in masks and time that saw good results. I had to switch from a FFM to a nasal mask in order to get control of leaks and feel more comfortable with something strapped to my face. Just keep using your machine every night and even for naps and you will get more used to your equipment.
David

[Dan on CPAP]

Thanks for all the responses. This place is awesome and I appreciate that help is only a click away. I could've used this site before my sleep study, but that's behind me now. I slept ok for day 7, only woke up three times that I can remember, but falling back asleep is getting easier and I feel refreshed after my 62 mile commute to work. I look forward to being where you are and being able to help others. I'm going to buy stock in bandades