CPAP - Beep to improve my compliance

[MoreComplianceNeeded]

I sometimes fall asleep without putting on the mask. The only way I end up putting it on is when my wife shoves me away to "put the damn mask on"

So I was thinking of a CPAP machine that works like a car seat belt monitor. from 11:30 to 7:00AM I would like it to yell at me when not being used.

Just unplug it to disable.

Does this exist?
What do you guys think?

Need to improve my compliance!

Tim

[nanwilson]

Sorry Tim, no such animal.... YOU need to remind YOURSELF to be compliant, you are the adult with OSA. There are reminders you can set up yourself if you think about it. A note sitting on the machine in bold letters, so that you see it when you go to bed, a kitchen egg timer that you can set on your nightstand to buzz at you after about 1/2 hour or so. It all takes YOU as the reminders...so why not just have your cuddle with your wife, roll over and hose up, its that easy.

[NotLazyJustTired]

I put the mask on before I even crawl into bed. I've heard it takes between 20 and 30 days to develop a habit. After that, you will feel awkward not wearing the mask to bed.

Here's a suggestion for a technique I used to use in the workshop to ensure I always wore my safety goggles. Whenever I took my goggles off I always set them down in front of the saw blade. That way I couldn't start the table saw without putting them on. It works marvelously. Try putting your mask on your bed after it is made up. It will remind you every night to put it on.

[Todzo]

I sometimes fall asleep without putting on the mask. The only way I end up putting it on is when my wife shoves me away to "put the damn mask on"

So I was thinking of a CPAP machine that works like a car seat belt monitor. from 11:30 to 7:00AM I would like it to yell at me when not being used.

Just unplug it to disable.

Does this exist?
What do you guys think?

Need to improve my compliance!

Tim

Hi Tim!

This is a good a relavant subject that I see here often.

Your idea for a machine is great. I know that an infared sensor could tell if you were there, I suppose another light sensor on your machine could tell if you have dawned the mask and started breathing through it (which would start the machine) so the system you desire could be made.

I suppose if you took one of sensors and simply attached the output to a beeper you would be pretty much there. You might take something like this ( http://www.amazon.com/Zenith-SL-5211-GR ... pd_cp_hi_1 ) and screw a plug adapter into the socket, run an extension cord to a beeper. Or you could use a flashing light. Simply turn off the light and you are good for the night.

For now you might invest in one of those hose buddy things (e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Hose-Buddy-CPAP-M ... cr_pr_pb_t ) to help make the mask and all more in your line of site to remind you. Another silly thought.

I hope you do find a good answer. OSA tends to make simple things very hard.

Todzo

[Denial Dave]

now if only there was a voice that announced; "you forgot to put the SD card back in the machine again". I'd be a happy camper.

[BlackSpinner]

You could get a second alarm clock and set it to 11pm. When you take your mask off in the morning, set the alarm. When you mask up, if you remember to mask up, turn off the alarm, if you fall asleep without it the alarm will go off.

[lewsterr]

It sounds like you have a pretty good, fool-proof, and reliable system that works just fine for you now. Why change it?

[Janknitz]

Leave your mask on your pillow, don't lay down your head without the mask on.

[zoocrewphoto]

I have a similar problem, only I do go to bed with my mask on. I just take it off when I am asleep, and I don't always get up and put it back on again. Sometimes, I can remember doing it. Sometimes I don't. Usually, it wakes me up due to drooling, and I need to get up and clean the mask. Even if it is just a minor wipe down, I I cannot get it back on and adjusted without sitting up. And when I am sleepy stupid, I don't push myself to get up. Usually, the only thing that gets me out of bed before time to get up is the need to use the bathroom.

I was really proud of myself when I actually got up, fixed the mask, and put it back on, without any delay.

I really wish I had some type of alarm that would detect snoring and go off. Then, I could keep it set all the time, but only have it wake me when I was asleep without my machine.

[Al N]

now if only there was a voice that announced; "you forgot to put the SD card back in the machine again". I'd be a happy camper.

That's the one I struggle with

[chunkyfrog]

All the stuff I have do before masking up; the last is my eye drops.
I have to do the nasolachrymal block for 3 minutes, and I can (and do) fall asleep sometimes,
with my timer and eyedrop bottle on my chest.
Three minutes with my eyes closed really makes me sleepy, and dilutes my resolve . . .
I'd gladly give a little of that away to someone who can't fall asleep, but I can't figure out how.

[khauser]

I put the mask on before I even crawl into bed. I've heard it takes between 20 and 30 days to develop a habit. After that, you will feel awkward not wearing the mask to bed.

Here's a suggestion for a technique I used to use in the workshop to ensure I always wore my safety goggles. Whenever I took my goggles off I always set them down in front of the saw blade. That way I couldn't start the table saw without putting them on. It works marvelously. Try putting your mask on your bed after it is made up. It will remind you every night to put it on.

So true! For example, for YEARS now I've worn a mask with straps. As seen in my profile I've switched to the Tap Pap that (at least for me) requires NO straps. BOY does that feel weird! I still catch myself trying to put the (now nonexistant) straps in the correct place...