Help! I can't wear my mask!

[snyderm]

I have been using my APAP for awhile, and I seem to have developed a new problem. During the middle of the night, I take off my mask and go back to sleep. The problem is, I don't really mean to, and when I awake in the morning I have no memory of doing it. I seem to be able to sleep with my mask fairly well now, but that doesn't matter if I get annoyed with it in my sleep and remove it. When I am sleeping or half-asleep, I really don't think about how much I need to keep my mask on, I just remove it and sleep and that is that.

Has anyone else had this problem? How can I resolve it?

[Pugsy]

I think I have removed the mask in the middle of the night 3 times in nearly 4 months. Didn't have any memory of doing so. This is a common thing to do for new users from what I have read. If you are doing it every night try taping the mask to your face so that when you remove the mask the tape removal will wake you up and thus you can then put the mask back on. If it is a very random occurrence then don't worry about it. Most have done it at one time or another. I have seen suggestions of taping mask to face and putting socks over your hands so you can't grasp the mask.

This too shall pass with time.

[Wulfman]

Ditto to what Pugsy said. It's quite common in the early months of therapy. Break the habit as soon as you can.....you were given some good suggestions.


Den

[Babette]

I highly recommend you try a different mask. For whatever reason, you don't like this mask. Try another one.

To find free test drives for masks - try before you buy - check the links below in my signature block.

Good luck!
Barbara

[allymcshop1]

I also have that problem. I wake up feeling suffocated, very low air flow and even warm low air flow. I wonder if I need to elevate my hose?

[Babette]

Ally, part of that is just the getting used to the whole thing part of the initial stages of therapy. Try elevating your hose. Also try playing with your humidifier settings. Turn it down and see if that helps. You just have to keep playing with every variable until you find the combination that works best for YOU.

Good luck!
Barbara

[Wulfman]

I also have that problem. I wake up feeling suffocated, very low air flow and even warm low air flow. I wonder if I need to elevate my hose?

You need to go into your machine settings and see what they are. (as Babs said) Too much humidity (too warm) and low pressure settings (including Ramp) can contribute to the suffocation feelings.

Which machine?

Den