New to this

[snagrem]

I am new to the cpap unit and have a problem during the night. For some reason, I remove the mask during the night as I sleep. I do it in a sleep mode so I have no idea when or why I do it. Any help????

[deglorious]

Hi, what you are experiencing is a very common problem at the beginning of CPAP therapy. It used to happen to me too.

Now I can go the whole night with the mask on. You need to fill out your profile so that the gurus of the forum can help you with your problems.

I know that Purrsleep has a product specifically for these issues. You may want to PM SleepGuy and find out about it.

Good luck and don't despair, keep up the good work you are doing.

Deglorious

[RipVW]

Hello & Welcome, snagrem! Glad you found this forum--SO much useful info and SO many helpful people here!
Yep, that mask off during sleep issue to so common, I did the same for awhile, just a natural reflex I guess.
Do complete your profile, and take a look at the Yellow Lightbulb for a great source of information as you begin. Good luck!

"You are getting sleepy . . ."

[alnhwrd]

Snag,

Welcome to the forum. Many, but not all have this problem, and as you adjust it should become less and less of a problem for you. A couple of quick things you can try are wearing mittens to bed to make it harder for you to get your mask off and taping your mask to you face with a band aid. The band aid sticks to your face, so when you try to pull your mask off it pulls the band aid off, causing a bit of discomfort so you wake up.

The root causes of this problem are either that you are not getting enough air, have a bit of claustrophobia, or your subconscience mind just don't like having a big hunk of plastic strapped to your head. The solution to the problem is usually time, patience and retraining. I would try wearing the mask for a while before going to bed while doing something relaxing. If you have a full face mask, you may ned to be hooked up to your machine to breath. Here are a couple of links to articles on mask problems. You can click the big Yellow Light Bulb at the top of the page and read some more articles on a variety of subjects.

cpaptalk-articles/390/CPAP-Mask-Choices.html

cpaptalk-articles/solving-CPAP-mask-problems.html

Also, if your pressure is set too low, say 6 cm or lower, you may not be getting enough air. So include your pressure when you fill in your equipment on your profile. Good Luck!

[Issac]

Don't get discouraged.
A good comfortable , less claustrophobic mask may help. the Hybrid works very well for me, but any comfortable mask will work if you give it time.

[snagrem]

Really do thank all for the feedback, but I gotta tellya.. For me this cpap thing is more trouble than it's worth.
Without the masketc, I awake maybe 2 times a night. A bit tired during the day, but not something I cant live with. I am not really grouchy or have any of the other symptms that others have.
With the cpap and mask, I am awake 6 or 7 times a night either fixing the mask or ripping it off my face. I am walking around almost in a trance from no sleep and my office staff cant stand me......
I have been back to my MD and sleep center, tried 5 different masks, different settings as reccomended, but still the same.
I guess some folks are made not to use the cpap etc. I really dont understand most of what is posted here, but I am sure it is of interest.
Again, I want to thank all for the interest, but I am giving up.

[Needsdecaf]

Before you give up, and I would hope you don't, I would give this a good read.

cpaptalk-articles/31/Help-For-New-or-St ... Users.html

I, too, have a mild case of Obstructive Sleep Apnea. I just got my machine today after over 3 weeks since my sleep study and I know it's not going to be easy in the beginning.

Yet I felt so much better just from the little sleep that I got at my sleep study, that I am willing to do whatever I have to do to make it work.

Hang in there!

[sleeplessinaz]

Hi There --don't give up!! I have a mild case of Obstructive Sleep Apnea but I have noticed a HUGE difference once I was able to adapt to the machine and mask. It does take a lot of patience, and stamina to keep going with this but trust me--it is all worth it in the end. I still get frustrated at times when it takes me 15 min. to get ready for bed now ---while my hubby only brushes his teeth and jumps into bed!!

This sort of mask taking off at night issue happens to alot of people and it is normal until you can get used to it. Hang in there!!!
Carrie

[DreamStalker]

Really do thank all for the feedback, but I gotta tellya.. For me this cpap thing is more trouble than it's worth.
Without the masketc, I awake maybe 2 times a night. A bit tired during the day, but not something I cant live with. I am not really grouchy or have any of the other symptms that others have.
With the cpap and mask, I am awake 6 or 7 times a night either fixing the mask or ripping it off my face. I am walking around almost in a trance from no sleep and my office staff cant stand me......
I have been back to my MD and sleep center, tried 5 different masks, different settings as reccomended, but still the same.
I guess some folks are made not to use the cpap etc. I really dont understand most of what is posted here, but I am sure it is of interest.
Again, I want to thank all for the interest, but I am giving up.

It's not just about restful sleep. Yes, that is what we often get focused on achieving with PAP treatment ... but you need to educate yourself on the silent but deadly OSA that is worth treating. Sure, living is hazardous to your life and we all have go sometime, but you should consider the quality of life while living. You need to consider all of the health diminishing issues associated with untreated OSA before deciding whether the treatment is more trouble than it’s worth.