A panicky newbie

[JohnBFisher]

... So, after 5 nights with it I'm averaging about 2 hours a night with the mask on. I'm comfortable with it on, and can breathe fine, but I'm taking it off in my sleep. I'll wake up and it will be on on the bed next to me or on the floor, still blowing away, and I have no recollection of taking it off. ...

And here you thought you had been sleeping the entire night without waking. It appears you awaken enough, find the mask uncomfortable, take it off (but are not fully conscious) and then go back to sleep ... Sleep is much, much more complex than most of us realize.

... I tried last night with a full dosage of Tylenol PM, and I slept fine, but still took it off. Any suggestions as to how I can keep myself from removing it in my sleep?

Well, one thin'g I've heard people do is to use some surgical tape to help hold it in place. The discomfort of trying to pry it off may help awaken you more fully. The wise caution I've seen is that you should fold over one edge to remove it quickly if you need to do so.

You might want to check with the user guide to see if there is an alarm you can enable if the mask is removed.

Or perhaps you could try a chin strap that would make it more complex to take off the mask.

Essentially anything that will help you full awaken and realize what you are doing may help you conquer this.

[ozij]

Sure:
Wear mittens.
Tape your thumb to your hand so it becomes unfunctional - leave a tab of tape folded in so you can untape your thumbs.
Put a piece of tape across the strap -- pulling the strap off will hurt and wake you.

O.

[chronic]

I know a lot of people that were excited by that election!!! Good luck on your journey.

[allinknots]

You might want to check with the user guide to see if there is an alarm you can enable if the mask is removed.

Yes, if I'm not mistaken, that machine does have an alarm setting you can set if there is a severe mask air leak. I'm guessing tossing off that mask would qualify as being a severe leak.

All in Knots

[Mnementh]

Ok, now I'm uncertain as to what machine I have. I got out the instruction manual for it (never read it before because the guy at the medical supply store showed me how to use it) and it's the manual for the S8 AutoSet II. The machine itself says S8 AutoSet Vantage. Does the AutoSet II say II, or just AutoSet?

Anyway, I'll continue as if the manual applies to the machine I actually have. It states that there is a leak alert, but it only shows up on a detailed menu, which is only visible if it's turned on by a clinician. I don't have access to this menu, so cannot turn it on. Now, it will give me a visual message when I take the mask off, but not being concious, am unable to read it.

[Muse-Inc]

Try taping it to your skin, then when you try to take it off, it will pull and likely wake you up a bit reminding yourself to leave it alone.

[Mnementh]

Hey there,

Been a while, but I'm back with an update. My 1 month trial with the Autoset ended without me ever wearing it for the full night. I returned it and waited for my next doctors appointment, which was scheduled for late March. In the mean time, I was on no treatment. My wife was the one who noticed the difference. Before the CPAP I'd have to frequently call home when driving home from work in order to stay awake on the road. I never had to do that when I had the CPAP. After I returned it, I was once again without any treatment at all, so I was right back where I was at the start, having to call home to stay awake.

I called the doctor, and they moved my appointment up to March 10th and gave me a prescription for Nuvigil to help me at least until then. The Nuvigil helped a lot, but since I work a 12 hour shift, I'd end up crashing around 5:00. The doctor told me to take a pill and a half of the 150 mg, and if that helped he would up the dosage when it was time to renew the prescription.

On March 10th, I had my appointment, and was given an order for a new CPAP. I got it that same day. It's a step up from the trial version, being an Autoset II, with EPR. I still took it off every night, usually only getting a few hours a night with it on. Last night, though, I woke up at 8 AM with the mask still on! Finally, I've slept a full night (or most of it anyway, since I was up really late) wearing the mask!

Now we'll see if I can keep it up!

[OutaSync]

Finally, I've slept a full night (or most of it anyway, since I was up really late) wearing the mask!

Now we'll see if I can keep it up!

That's great news! You have a great machine and mask. Now you need to get the software so you can see how you are really sleeping. Do you feel any different after a full night of treatment?

Bev

[JohnBFisher]

... I was once again without any treatment at all, so I was right back where I was at the start, having to call home to stay awake. ...

It seems you get the connection between the excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep deprivation (due to sleep apnea). For other readers, who might wonder if it matters, you can read the research on your own:

http://www.google.com/search?q=accident ... eprivation

It matters. In fact, my sleep specialist has the following canned statement on my prescription:

The above named patient was diagnosed as indicated. Due to the potentially dangerous consequences of disturbed sleep and sleep deprivation, which include the possibility of falling asleep in critical situations, treatment of this condition is considered mandatory rather than elective on a nightly basis on a long term to life time duration (99 months).

When a doctor includes a canned legal statement, it's a good indication there is a VERY good reason for it.

... Last night, though, I woke up at 8 AM with the mask still on! Finally, I've slept a full night (or most of it anyway, since I was up really late) wearing the mask! ... Now we'll see if I can keep it up! ...

xPAP therapy is a long journey, not a simple destination. You will have good nights and bad nights. Hopefully with answers you find here you will have many, many more good nights. But don't panic when you have a run of bad nights. Just remember there are others who also had similar problems and are willing to share what worked for them.

Anyway, it's GREAT to hear you made such a breakthrough!! You and your family will appreciate the better sleep.