removing mask at night

[ekirtz]

Hi everyone.

My problem is this. During the night, I have been removing my mask and turning off my CPAP machine (actually not cutting power to the machine, but pressing the button that turns off therapy). I have no recollection of doing this. I just wake up maskless. I am hoping to come up with some kind of switch that will activate an alarm if the machine has been off for more than a specified amount of time (let's say ten minutes). At it's simplest, it would be self-powered, and would activate when detecting no pressure for ten minutes. I am using a Respironics Remstar Auto System One. There is no "pressure take-off" on this unit or at the mask. I was thinking of trying some sort of inline fitting with a small outlet to connect to a switch. I have a basic understanding of circuit design and electronics and feel confident that if I could find appropriate parts that I could make something work. Has anyone out there done anything like this?

[kteague]

Do you know if you take the mask off first or turn machine off first? Some machines have a large leak alarm, not sure about yours, but that might help if the mask comes off first. Actually, your software should show if your leaks spike before turning the machine off. Certainly not a technical solution, but if you add a strong bandaid or tape somewhere across a strap and sticking to your skin, maybe the pain of removing it to get your mask off would wake you enough to become aware of the situation and check the machine and go back to sleep.

It is not unusual to do this for a while until the equipment doesn't feel foreign, but do check your data just to be sure it doesn't indicate a lengthy apnea just prior to taking it off.

[jlk]

It happened to me several times at first. I found mask on floor several times, half torn apart, etc. It will get better. Put machine on floor to cause you to wake up to find it to turn it off. The "tape the mask straps to your face" may help you learn to accept it quicker. It is strange waking up half groggy with something stuck to your face, definately not natural. Good luck! john

[DreamDiver]

... I just wake up maskless... I am hoping to come up with some kind of switch...

There are cheap alarms you can buy that will tell you if your power has gone off by mistake. What you want is something that alarms you when your cpap has been turned off by you in your sleepy state of mind - something like this?

I suspect this would be the only safe way to achieve this. You aren't considering changing the electronics within your CPAP machine, right?

Another method I've heard of would be to mask up during the day with the CPAP on, perhaps while reading something or watching TV to get used to having it on for an extended period while conscious. Some on the forum have said this method has helped to get used to it while sleeping at night.

[freshair]

The human body is very resiliant when it tries to adaft to changes that are out of the its normal habit such as new eye wear from a single lens to a bi-focal then to a tri-focal, hearing aids and of course a CPAP machine with the dreaded mask of doom--all of it takes "time" for the body to physically and mentally to accept and be comfortable with the change--The reason for having the CPAP is to get a better restful sleep, but adding bells and whistles to the machne to awaken you from a sleep is defeating the purpose--The thing to do is when you naturally wake up and your mask is laying beside the bed and your machine is off is just put the mask back on then turn on the machine and go back to sleep--just remember that the "old body needs time to adjust"--FA

[Tired Linda]

Your machine has a "mask alert" which will sound an alarm if the mask is removed during therapy (if you haven't already turned the machine off). Do you have that enabled?

[DreamDiver]

Your machine has a "mask alert" which will sound an alarm if the mask is removed during therapy (if you haven't already turned the machine off). Do you have that enabled?

If you turn off the machine at the power button before you take off your mask, isn't that moot? The machine's already off, so -- no alarm, right?

[Tired Linda]

Your machine has a "mask alert" which will sound an alarm if the mask is removed during therapy (if you haven't already turned the machine off). Do you have that enabled?

If you turn off the machine at the power button before you take off your mask, isn't that moot? The machine's already off, so -- no alarm, right?

Sorry. I took the OP to mean the mask was taken off before the machine was shut off.

Perhaps I should have said "your machine has a "mask alert" which will sound an alarm if the mask is removed during therapy unless you have already turned the machine off"

Mask alert may be a feature for the OP to consider using, but it is a feature that must specifically be enabled in the menu.

[linagee]

The easiest way to solve this problem is just to make the CPAP in a place that is hard to access so you don't "sleep-turn-it-off". Maybe a small table that is just out of reach unless you get out of bed.

[Kevin G.]

If you continue to sleep without the machine I would not wake yourself up since that defeats the purpose. When I need to be up at a certain time I will set a timmer to turn the machine off thus causing me to wake up.

In my exerience over time you will get used to the machine and this will cease to be a problem. You might check the data to see if it might be associated with leaks or something else.

[Geminidream]

It is perfectly normal to be inclined to take off you mask through the night (and possibly not even be aware of it), especially when you are getting acclimated to this new way of sleeping. Most people get past that after 6 months, but I have had this therapy almost a year and still once in a while I find I have taken my mask off. Don't remember doing it and the machine has been turned off....which means I had to completely turn myself around and reach behind the headboard to hit the button. Leak alert will not work in this case. For me, its simply this...... having something attached to your face while you sleep is not normal and no matter how long you do it, its still not a normal thing. Unless you have done it from birth, your body and subconsious know the difference. Hopefully, this will occur less as time goes on. Just put the mask back on when you realize it is off (if you still have time to sleep) and go back to sleep. I did not notice how long you have been on therapy, but it does get better with time. Keep with it!
Melissa