How to keep myself from removing my mask while I sleep?

[Shellwitch]

Hello,

I'm new here and did a search that didn't answer my specific question so I thought I would pose my own. I've been using my CPAP for about a month and while I have no trouble falling sleep with it on, I frequently wake up in the morning with it off with no recollection of removing it.

I have very mild sleep apnea that only effects me during REM sleep. I did my sleep study set with the pressure at 4 and find that very comfortable. I am also a side and stomach sleeper so it did take a week or two of adjustment but I had several nights sleep where the mask didn't bother me. Since I occasionally breath through my mouth I do have a full face mask which is comfortable and easy for me to breath in. However for the past week or so I wake up with the mask removed and my machine off. I don't know if I'm turning the machine off or it senses that the mask is no longer on and turns itself off. Also normally I unhook the clips on my mask but occasionally I undo a Velcro strap and take it off.

I have felt no better since I started using the CPAP but I don't know if that is because I can't seem to keep the mask on all night or if I have other problems besides mild apnea. I would really like to make this work because I need to feel better. Is there anyone else who had the same problem?

[Bons]

Bobby pins. Lots and lots of them, so that the chore of removing the headgear will wake you up, so you can stop disconnecting.

[Sheriff Buford]

Use tape. Medical tape, or tape that will be firm, but doesn't take skin off. You want to be awaken when you remove the mask and the tape will awaken you. This happens to bunches of people when they first start out... including me.

Sheriff

[Babette]

Just guessing here.... When I was new, I had the same issue. In my case, I think it had more to do with sucking air than anything else. When it got too hard to breathe in, I think I automatically got rid of the mask, in order to clear my airway.

If that might be YOUR case, you might try playing with increasing your pressure and see if that has any effect.

It also might be that the mask itself is not your best mask. Try some other masks, if you can. Some posters where will gladly barter, give for free, or sell masks at very low cost, just to get them out of their lives. I got my favorite mask that way by whining on the board and having a guy sell me a mask he hated. I believe he called it a worthless slingshot... Or words less family-friendly...

So, for free, you can play with increasing your air pressure. For a little more time, effort and money, you can play with a different mask.

You can also play with a variety of other variables, including humidity, ramp, pressure range (if you're on an Auto), pillow, headgear, chinstrap, room temperature, etc.

All of these things conspire against you some nights. Try fiddling with one at a time and see if it makes any difference.

Then come back and report and we'll try something else if that didn't work.

Cheers,
B.

[chunkyfrog]

Mittens; refer to Mike Birbiglia. Sleepwalk With Me.

[Sir NoddinOff]

LIke Sheriff Buford sez: Tape that sucker down... use as much tape as it takes until you retrain yourself. I like 3M NexCare mulitpore plastic tape but if you don't like that, find something that works for you.

[Monstrosity]

I did this for months. Over time and determination its been less frequent for me.

[Shellwitch]

Thanks for all the replies. I did the easiest thing first which was tape and it seems to work like a charm. I didn't even need to tape it to me, I just taped the velcro so I couldn't undo it and put pieces of tape over the snaps so I would have trouble with them and I've kept in on for the past three nights. The second morning I did wake up with a piece of tape wrapped around my finger so I did try something but was unsuccessful. Hopefully as I become more accustomed to it then the tape can do but right now it stays.

[Sir NoddinOff]

I didn't even need to tape it to me, I just taped the velcro so I couldn't undo it and put pieces of tape over the snaps so I would have trouble with them and I've kept in on for the past three nights.

VERY CLEVER... why didn't I think of that ?

[jackieboy]

Thanks for all the replies. I did the easiest thing first which was tape and it seems to work like a charm. I didn't even need to tape it to me, I just taped the velcro so I couldn't undo it and put pieces of tape over the snaps so I would have trouble with them and I've kept in on for the past three nights. The second morning I did wake up with a piece of tape wrapped around my finger so I did try something but was unsuccessful. Hopefully as I become more accustomed to it then the tape can do but right now it stays.

Gosh this is such an old post but there is pure GOLD in this solution! I've been struggling with taking my mask for for one year and I am going to try this tonight! I wonder if this solved your problem permanently? This is such an old post