Keep taking my (nasal) mask off 2 hours after falling asleep

[inthevillaoformen]

Hi all,

I hope somebody can help me with this problem I'm having with APAP.

I'm using a nasal mask, which I find comfortable (ish). But, for the past three nights in a row, I've woken up in the early morning having taken my mask off in the night - and I don't remember having done so. Checking the machine shows that it's happened about 2 hrs 15 mins after putting the mask on (which is about 2 hours after falling asleep; I haven't been struggling to fall asleep, and generally do so fairly quickly). I'm guessing my body is just not tolerating it when I start to have big apnoeas and I'm just ripping it off. But obviously that defeats the whole point.

Any tips? Should I be fastening the mask to my face more securely?

Cheers

[LSAT]

It's your brain that is confused about this foreign thing on your face. Try sitting and watching TV with your mask on for a while before bed. Do this several nights in a row. You might also try taping the mask to your face...you will wake up if you pull it off.

[OkyDoky]

It's your brain that is confused about this foreign thing on your face. Try sitting and watching TV with your mask on for a while before bed. Do this several nights in a row. You might also try taping the mask to your face...you will wake up if you pull it off.

+1 Right now the important thing is to know when it happens and put it back on. After a while your brain will make friends with the mask and not consider it alien.
You should also get Sleepyhead and see if leaks might be a cause for taking it off. List your equipment in your profile. If your machine doesn't show up just type it into commemts. Here is a link to tell you how. wiki/index.php/Registering_Equipment_in_User_Profile
When we know your machine we can help you get the Clinical Manual and software.

[Sir NoddinOff]

Even with the taping some people still pull off the mask. Many people like white athletic tape or even duct tape! I like REALLY sticky NexCare paper tape. However, it has to be applied to just washed clean dry skin. In the morning use a dab of mineral oil to loosen the tape for easier removal. Usually after a week you should have trained yourself not to remove your mask. Being a stubborn case, I had to attach some tape to a few wisps of hair so that it would actually hurt if I ripped off the mask... that cured me of the problem in just a few nights.

[davep700]

I also had the same issue, and tried imprisoning myself with tape, but i removed still it (consciously). I said to myself I would put the mask back after a few minute break, which never happened. I am having more success now with Airfit P10 and lansinoh cream, and one piece of tape on both straps. So, taping may not solve the problem; comfort may need to be increased.