Awake with Mask-Off

[miguelca]

I am a neewbie; on CPAP for 2 weeks.

So far, every single night I wake up in the morning with the mask completely off. It appears that I take it off after using it for 2-3 hrs during the night. Is this something that will eventually stop on its own once I completely get used to it? Should I try a different mask?
Would greatly appreciate any ideas.

Thanks.

[Samba]

It's pretty normal in the beginning as it is an unnatural way of sleeping. Hang in there !

[Pugsy]

It is indeed common to take the mask off sometime during the night and not realize it till the next morning.
Some people will tape the mask to the face in a few places so that the removal will create a bit of discomfort and thus wake them up so they leave the mask alone.

Your Profile shows that you have a ResMed Escape. You are new here. Are you aware that the Escape will never show any useful data that you can look at? The only data it will ever provide will be hours of use "compliance data" to satisfy any insurance requirements. Should you have problems with leaks or pressure settings, you will have no way of ever finding out.

Take a look here for an explanation of which machines will offer data.
viewtopic.php?p=307168#p307168

The time to get the DME to swap for a fully data capable machine is now while you are still within a window where they can't squawk so much about it.

[marcosv]

FWIW, I also ripped my mask off my fast a lot. In my case, part of the problem was that the nasal mask I was using wasn't fitting properly. It seemed to fit just fine when I was shown how to wear it, but, after a while, it started to leak. Swapped to a different nasal mask. Same leak problem and the mask usually ends up on the floor. Finally got switched to a nasal pillow (Swift LT). Loved it. Ripping mask off of fast problem started to become much less frequent. For some reason, I was told that with my pressure setting (16 cm) a nasal pillow typically doesn't work out and so it was the last option offered.

I also think you need to see if you can get a machine with data logging capabilities.

In my case I had a Resperonics Plus model with no data. Very hard to figure out what was going on. I've been waking up with a very dry / sore throat and thinking that I might need a chin strap. I was already battling the humidifier rain-out issue with double wrapped hose. Was told by the sleep lab folk at Kaiser that maybe my pressure was too low and I wasn't getting enough oxygen; that I should increase the pressure by 2 cm.

Ended up getting a lot more back in my tax refund that I was expecting and bought a S9 Autoset out of pocket (good thing I got some of the money back via my health care account). For starters, the S9's humidifier and heated hose solved my dry / sore throat problem. More importantly, using the APAP mode, I found that my average pressure was just a little above what my prescription was set for. Also found I'm getting a lot of events, but, the number has been decreasing throughout the week. So I'm thinking it might be just getting used to the new machine.

[robysue]

Pugsy is right: The Escape will provide you with no useful data concerning your therapy: No way to look at leak data to determine if your mask is leaking without you knowing about it. (A badly leaking mask may be part of why you're ripping it off in your sleep.) No way to determine if the current pressure setting is enough to take care of the apneas. So if you don't start feeling better, you won't be able to determine whether it is because too many apneas/hypopneas are getting through (and you need a pressure increase) or whether it is because of leaks or mouth breathing "stealing" the needed pressure or whether it is something else altogether.

And the time to insist on a swap for a better machine is NOW.

Look for posts by Janknitz. She's got a useful link in her signature about what you need to know before you talk to the DME. Read it carefully before you start the wrestling match to get the Escape exchanged for a full data machine.

[BernieRay]

I had this start happening years after I had been hosing. After I had sinus surgery, it stopped. It was only then that I figured out that I was taking it off because I couldn't breathe. For whatever reason, as long as air is trying to be flown into my nose, I don't mouth breathe.

[Kahfree]

I am a neewbie; on CPAP for 2 weeks.

So far, every single night I wake up in the morning with the mask completely off. It appears that I take it off after using it for 2-3 hrs during the night. Is this something that will eventually stop on its own once I completely get used to it? Should I try a different mask?
Would greatly appreciate any ideas.

Thanks.

I started Therapy on January 14th and I am still taking it off about 3.5 hours into the night. Last night it was 2.5 hours. I do not recall doing it, and what is funny, I shut off the machine too...and do not remember that! I am hoping in time I stop doing this and sleep the entire night with it. My ahi is low with the use of the cpap, so without it I am sure I am having apneas.

Keep at it...the more you use it, the more your brain will get use to it....at least thats my theory.
Kelly