What self talk have you used to keep mask on?

[Starlette]

Good morning everyone.

I've been wanting to ask for a long time and am doing so now.
QUESTION: What self talk have you used to keep mask on?
As stated, I'm using my FFM. Including last night, this has been the sleep duration for the last 3 nights.

2.39
3.12
1.11

According to my sleep journal, I've noticed that I'm able to keep nasal mask on much longer than FFM. However, I'd much prefer using the FFM over the nasal. This morning, I woke up at 4:15am and decided then to put a sock on a hand as I've seen stated on the forum. I felt anxious and couldn't go back to sleep. I should also let you know that on a conscious level, I have no ill-will towards cpap or my mask. I know the importance of using my therapy. btw, I've also considered ordering a Pad-a-Cheek liner if that's what it takes to keep it on. I'd rather not have more stuff on my face, but if I must I must.

Your thoughts and feedback are appreciated.

Starlette

[JointPain]

Hi Starlette.

You probably won't have much luck lying there trying to subdue your subconscious by brute force willpower.

Perhaps you could try the whole newbie "de-sensitize the subconscious" routine. Wear the mask around the house during the day for a bit. At night, when you first wake up and notice the mask tell your subconscious "I need and want this mask. I am wearing it. Get over it." and think about something else. If that doesn't work and you get anxious, get up and do something else until the anxiety has gone away and you're ready to try again.

[chunkyfrog]

My self-talk:
"I am so wasted from lack of sleep.
I need some rest, I need to live.
I CAN wake up without a headache.
I CAN stay awake at work.
I CAN rest; and heal.
I can hear the machine responding to me breathe.
It seems to be anticipating my exhale.
Breathe deeply.
Snuggle my pillow.
Snuggle my blanket.
Nice sheep.

[Starlette]

@ JointPain - That's a very good idea! I'll do that.
I should have also stated that "initially" going to sleep with the FFM on has never been an issue. Its keeping it on that's the problem.
At least my subconscious has put the mask back on the cpap after use, I'll give it credit for that

@ ChunkyFrog - Those are great affirmations! Love that last one especially

Starlette

[carbonman]

I've also considered ordering a Pad-a-Cheek liner if that's what it takes to keep it on. I'd rather not have more stuff on my face, but if I must I must.
Your thoughts and feedback are appreciated.
Starlette

Starlette, the mask liner from PadaCheek becomes part of the mask.
Once it is installed and you use is a few nights, you will not even
notice it.....except how much nicer it is to not have the silicone
against your face. These mask liners are a no brainer, IMNSHO.

Good suggestions for self talk and affirmations for success.
Be consistant and perservere.....you will get where you want to be.

[jamiswolf]

Hi Starlette,
When I first started, I was using an apap at wide open pressures for titration purposes and pressures would get fairly high while on my back. So I had to wear a chin strap too. So this is the scenario I came up with...

I'd strap on my nasal mask and wide chinstrap all the while telling myself I was a astronaut preparing for lift off. Then to add a realistic touch, I'd put on some headphones (on top of everything else) and listen to a science fiction talking book until I fell asleep. The audible breathing in and breathing out sounds were all part of the fantasy...and eventually it worked. Open the pod bay doors Hal.
J

[LoneStar]

One thing I do is never allow myself to sleep in the bed without my mask. Once in a rare blue moon I'll get so frustrated and angry with my mask that I just can't keep it on. If this happens, I get up out of bed and go "sleep" on the couch which is lumpy, too short, and too narrow.

My mind knows that if I really want good sleep, I MUST sleep in the bed WITH the mask.

Lisa

[Kody]

Starlette I have the same problem sometimes as well. No problem going to sleep with it on but then wake up and it's kind of bugging me. To take my mind off it, I will tell myself how tired I feel and how I really need to go back to sleep. Sometimes that works as it shifts my mind off the mask, and more to feeling so tired still that I do fall back to sleep. Any distraction to taking your mind off the Mask seems to work, good luck!

[ems]

I have nites like that also, and I have a reasonably comfortable mask. It seems to go in cycles for me - for several weeks it will be fine... then out of nowhere, I want to pull the mask off my face. Sometimes I do take it off (I know... I know), but almost always end up putting it back on. I'm afraid not to - that's the bottom line.

[Starlette]

Thank you all for your ideas and encouragement Being proactive, I called Karen from Pad-a-Cheek and ordered a liner for my FFM.

Starlette

[archangle]

Do you recall taking it off, or simply wake up without it?

Try telling yourself you can take it off at any time, but you have to get out of bed first, and immediately leave the bedroom for at least 5 minutes or so. If you can't handle putting it back on, try to wait it out. If you must go back to bed without it, do so, but be sure you're awake before doing so.

[NotSleepingBeauty]

I've also considered ordering a Pad-a-Cheek liner if that's what it takes to keep it on. I'd rather not have more stuff on my face, but if I must I must.
Your thoughts and feedback are appreciated.
Starlette

Starlette, the mask liner from PadaCheek becomes part of the mask.
Once it is installed and you use is a few nights, you will not even
notice it.....except how much nicer it is to not have the silicone
against your face. These mask liners are a no brainer, IMNSHO.

Good suggestions for self talk and affirmations for success.
Be consistant and perservere.....you will get where you want to be.

Can I ask how the liner becomes part of the mask? I'm not sure I understand. I use Mirage Quattro FFM.

[Starlette]

Do you recall taking it off, or simply wake up without it?

Try telling yourself you can take it off at any time, but you have to get out of bed first, and immediately leave the bedroom for at least 5 minutes or so. If you can't handle putting it back on, try to wait it out. If you must go back to bed without it, do so, but be sure you're awake before doing so.

I simply wake up without it. I never feel myself take it off and turn off the machine. Then in my sleep, I ever so neatly/politely put the mask back on top of the apap. That's the problem Archangle, I have no control over what I do when I sleep. If it was up me, I'd be wearing my mask the whole night. I want to. Like I said, I have nothing against my mask or apap.

I also called Karen at Pad-a-Cheek and talked to her about getting a FFM liner (see added note). I just have a sneaky suspicion that my face is having a real issue with the air blowing on more facial area, which can be remedied by taking off the mask and turning off the machine. If I get the liner, its my hope that my facial skin will "approve" the mask along with apap. I think that is what is really going on. However, I'm combating this issue at both ends: positive affirmations (self talk) and mask liner.

Added note: One thing I love about Karen, if she feels that it is not in my best interest to purchase one of her products, she tells me up front even though that may mean lost revenue for her. So before making this purchase, I had a talk with her wondering if this may be a good idea for me.

Starlette

@ NSB - I know what he's saying. However, I don't know how to articulate. I'll let someone else explain.

[Mary Z]

I need to wear this mask and use the machine every night. I want to feel better
I'm smart enough to use a device prescribed for me.
I want to tell other people to grow a set- grow up and figure how to wear the mask. There is plenty of help on the forum.

[RandyJ]

Can I ask how the liner becomes part of the mask? I'm not sure I understand. I use Mirage Quattro FFM.

The liner goes over the mask on both sides (skin side & outer side) and fastens to itself with velcro. It doesn't block the vents though, so it's all good.