Difficulty wearing Cpap Mask in Hot Muggy Weather

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 5:55 am

I am finding it unbearably uncomfortable wearing the mask when the weather is overly warm and I am sweating. I just want to tear it off. What is happening lately is I eventually manage to fall asleep with it for an hour or two, then it becomes too irritating and I remove it and fall back asleep without it on. Just wondering if you guys have more difficulty wearing the mask when the weather is too warm. Any suggestions? CareS

2listless · Post by **2listless** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:14 am

Depends what you are using! Any type of face mask will make you "sweat" just from your own breathing warming in the mask. 3 things I have done: Turn off the humidifier and use it as a passover only....but if you get too dry you will have to set it at 1 or 2. Use a different interface .....now you know why everyone has at least 3. Try something smaller, that does not cover as much area on your face, for example: nasal pillows, comfort curve etc. Try cutting out a piece of soft pure cotton material (so it breathes and wicks away the moisture) in the shape of your mask..it must totally fit around the edges of the mask. You will still get a seal but it really helps with the "glistening". Most of the time I leave my humidifier on 1 or 2, year around. I have allergies and the meds themselves dry me out so I need some humidification. I keep my bedroom just above frostbite level!!! At least try a circulating fan around your bed at night..it will dry you off and give you the illusion of being cool. I understand the problem completely...my bedroom is like an iceberg but I CANNOT stand the Activa when the humidity is up...some nights I will also toss it. So I have basically switched to the CC for the summer, alternating with the Vista which has a smaller mask (had problems with it at first but switched to a deep nose piece which removed the pressure and provided a better seal because of the larger soft, malleable piece...also trimming off all the straps and inverting the headgear made it a great mask!) I even tried refrigerating my interfaces.........didn't really work because first they are too cold and then as they warm up you get tons of condensation...so forget that idea! LOL
Really the only things I have done.....some nights you just really want to toss it off....I think that is pretty normal. However, it continues to happen a lot, if you can afford it or your insurance will pay for it, opt for a 2nd mask!!
Good Luck! PS. If you are a pre, during or post menopausal woman the problem is a year around battle....sorry!

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 8:58 am

To Listless2. I will certainly try your suggestions, move a fan into my room, turn up the air conditioner. I have the Aptiva which is causing the sweating problem. Someone suggested sticking on strips of the disposable thin napkins which they used on their FF mask so I may try that. It would absorb the sweat and stay in place. It would also leave a sticky residue on the nasal interface which would probably increase the seal. Hey, perhaps I have stumbled on something. I have a comfort curve and recently received the new headgear and I use the thin disposable pads in place of the plastic cheek pads which do absorb the sweat. Still trying to accustom myself to this particular mask. Thanks for your reply..CareS

Flower51 Terry · Post by **Flower51 Terry** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:22 pm

I've had the NasalAireII interface w/nasal prongs from the beginning and am so glad, esp in this hot humid weather. There is NOTHING resting on my face outside of two lightweight hoses that gently touch the side of my cheek. I don't feel claustrophobic, sweaty or any of that. There is a video on cpap.com re the Nasal AireII but it shows the man using a headband, which is not even really necessary. I use a simple piece of velcro to hook the two lightweight hoses at the back of my head so that it is more stable at night. Also making sure you have the right size nasal prongs is key so there is no leaking and you feel comfy. If you have any questions, just ask! I have found that they feel best w/a little ky jelly (generic is a BIG tube for under $2.) on the end before putting in my nose, then a little tug on them to have them seal at the base of my nostrils and I'm in business. Terry

Severeena · Post by **Severeena** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 7:47 pm

I am so happy to have the experience of my future husband to have gone through all of this prior to me.

He has the room just right , plus I have a fan blowing on me.

CareS · Post by **CareS** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:10 am

Thanks for your replies. I looked up the nasalaire and it looks like a future possibility. I have another idea which might work. I am going to buy a package of those disposable dish cloths eg. J-cloths or the cheaper store brand, which should be great for absorbing sweat and putting an absorbant liner between my face and the mask. (Cut a triangle the shape of the mask with an opening for the nose.) If you wet these things they stick to the face. I wonder if strips of wet disposable dish cloths would work with the FF mask and help with the seal and noises. The mask itself would hold them in place once it was on. I am going to try it. Thinking out loud..CareS

Difficulty wearing Cpap Mask in Hot Muggy Weather

Difficulty wearing Cpap Mask in Hot Muggy Weather

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