Nightime Mask removal

Auntie_Rose · Post by **Auntie_Rose** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 11:07 am

The last 2 nights I have been guilty of "Sleep de-masking".

I thought that I was adjusting fairly well (I started treatment on Dec 24,07) Used it every night, tolerated the mask, think that I am doing well-- Then I wake up with my mask on the floor and I am all smushed down with my face in the pillow, snoring like a chain saw! I have no idea of when it happened or why.

Any help out there?

Wulfman · Post by **Wulfman** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 1:03 pm

What you're experiencing is something just about EVERYBODY experiences shortly after starting therapy.
Getting PAST that habit is what you need to work on.

Den

jjposey · Post by **jjposey** » Wed Jan 16, 2008 2:58 pm

I, too, did well for - oh - a couple of weeks, then started taking off my mask. I improved after a month or so and then had a setback after an auto accident. THAT and my DH's unexpected stay in the hospital set me back again - several months. I'm finally enjoying sleeping all night with my mask on (at almost a year!), but I won't be upset or worried or surprised if I face another setback.
Don't let it stress you out. Just take it one night at a time, and put the mask back on when you find you've taken it off (I know - It's REALLY hard to do!)
Good Luck!
joanna

Nodzy · Post by **Nodzy** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:00 am

The mask setbacks, as others have said, are a routine occurrence for many of us. Reasons why these things occur vary from person to person, with sometimes a seemingly common thread. Other times there seems to be no reason.

Similar are setbacks on how one feels after continuous days, weeks or months of great therapy, and suddenly for no apparent reason one wakes feeling like the buffalo herd that just trampled you can't be far away. That can occur on one day, or strings of days or weeks before a return to feeling the therapy beneficial on every morning.

There seems to be some loose commonalities between those affected, but nothing that's steady between all those affected. Not that I have found. It's another mystery or set of mysteries in this affliction that may be answered in decades to come.

Just roll with the flow and keep hugging this board for support and whatever answers here fit you and your needs.

As I like to say, "The field of Sleep Disordered Breathing is past infancy and into adolescence, but too far from maturity." And, "Doctors provided the machine -- but good therapy was provided by the wealth of experiences and answers from other hose-heads who were gracious to share them with me."

Stick with it, and know that you are always just mouse-clicks away from people who've been through it.

Nodzy