Can't seem to sleep with the Machine more than about 3-5 hrs

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue May 16, 2006 9:19 am

Like the subject says, I usually wake up in the middle of the night and take the mask off. I don't do this on purpose, just kind of like a sleepwalking thing. I don't remember feeling dry etc when I take it off. So I don't know why I really do it. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep it on? Thanks

mike

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue May 16, 2006 10:44 am

Mike,

Since you didn't register and list your equipment and pressure, we don't have much to go on. You might want to do that so we can help you more. Here are some ideas:

1. If you are new to therapy, then 3-5 hours is better than nothing. The time should get gradually longer.

2. Perhaps your pressure isn't quite right for you and it needs to be adjusted.

3. You might try a different mask. Nasal pillows are more comfortable to many people. You could try Comfort Lite 2, the Aura Headrest, the Swift, or the Breeze. Those are the most popular nasal pillows.

4. I assume you have a heated humidifier, is not, get one.

Again, please register and list your equipment.

mwilson50 · Post by **mwilson50** » Tue May 16, 2006 11:58 am

Sorry I have the RemStar C-Flex set at 9 ( C-flex is off) I am using the nasal pillows and have a heated hunidifier set at 5. I tried setting the hundifier lower but wake up dry. At 5 it seems to do alright. 9 doesn't feel bad when I am breathing right before I go to sleep. Though it takes a little while to figure out how to swallow without getting air blowback in my ears or heaven forbid yawning I was diagnosed and had a sleep study that set my pressure for me. Though there is most likely a way to hack the machine- they said they didn't want me changing the pressure other than of course ramping if need be. I was offered a full face mask but thought the pillows would be a better course of action. I am about in my 3rd week or so of use. I do feel a little better in the days, but still find it cumbersome to get used to.

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CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): C-FLEX, Nasal Pillows

Fido · Post by **Fido** » Tue May 16, 2006 12:20 pm

Hey, great site here. I am new to CPAP, just got my machine (RemStar Plus) 12 days ago, but here is what works for me. I have a co-worker that has been on CPAP for about 6 months and lives alone. His wife died a couple of years ago and he told me he is having the same problem you have. He takes it off and wakes later and discovers he only used it for part of the night. I have a wife to encourage me. The first time I removed the mask (2nd night) and went back to sleep, she elbowed me and told me " Now if you're going to go to the trouble to be tested and get the machine you need to wear it". That helped motivate me to put it on. Since then I have been averaging over 7 hours a night and feel better than I have in 15 years.

mwilson50 · Post by **mwilson50** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:07 pm

Well that is an idea. My wife is usually asleep though. I could ask her if she could do that if she is woke up by me

chdurie2 · Post by **chdurie2** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:35 pm

nwilson--

i don't think you're going through anything unusual, given the amount of time you've been on cpap. i went through the same thing. it's now been about two and a half months and i now only take the mask off in my sleep about once a week. that's down from every nite, which is the way i was at about your stage. some people advocate wearing the mask while watching tv or for an hour or so before sleep to get better used to it. the idea is if you get more used to it while conscious, you are less likely to take it off while unconscious.

the only thing i question, and i don't know if anyone else does, is the way the machine feels when you first turn it on. that seems a bit extreme to me, so maybe the pressure isn't right. the only thing that struck me as weird when i first got a machine is what happened when i opened my mouth--hard to breathe in. (i seem to have overcome that when i sleep, though, cuz i am a big mouth breather.) so maybe you want to tell your sleep tech/sleep doc about these reactions to see if they are normal.

caroline

mwilson50 · Post by **mwilson50** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:44 pm

Well I try to wear the pillows about 45min to an hour before I actually go to sleep. When I first turn the machine on the pressure feels like a bit much but within about 2 min I adjust to it and it doesn't seem to bother me. At least when I am awake.

Linda3032 · Post by **Linda3032** » Tue May 16, 2006 6:01 pm

If you are running your humidifier on 5, and still have dry mouth, then you are probably mouth breathing. You might try "taping your lips shut, or using polident denture strips to keep your mouth closed". I know that sounds horrid, but its about the only thing that works short of a full face mask.

If you keep your mouth/throat moist, maybe you can tolerate the mask better.

And lastly, if you enter your equipment in at the bottom of your profile, then it will always be there for us to see. Look at the bottom of some of our posts for ideas. Some of us even have our pressures on there.

Thanks, and welcome to the forum.

mwilson50 · Post by **mwilson50** » Wed May 17, 2006 7:33 am

I kept it on all night last night I did wake up once with drymouth but got my spit back in my mouth and was able to keep it on No to keep going. BTW I love the website it has helped a lot

DerDrache · Post by **DerDrache** » Wed May 17, 2006 8:43 am

My DME people actually gave me a chinstrap to use at first to get used to sleeping with my mouth closed. I used it 2-3 days and I don't seem to be opening my mouth anymore.

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Wed May 17, 2006 9:25 am

Mwilson, just curious, why do you have the c-flex off?

mwilson50 · Post by **mwilson50** » Wed May 17, 2006 11:37 am

This is the way I was given my machine. They did all the programming. I don't have any problems with it since they are paying for it I may have to look into a chin strap. I am still a bit wary of putting on glue or tape on my lips

Bonnie · Post by **Bonnie** » Wed May 17, 2006 10:23 pm

What pressure are you set at?

Mask

Additional Comments: Large mask collection