Big Problem - Need Advice Badly!

[maskracer]

Five months on CPAP. Just getting to the point where I can go to sleep "forgetting" I have this thing strapped to my face.

In the first few weeks of struggling, I used to read posts about people who would find the mask next to them in the middle of the night, having had no idea they removed it. I thought: "that could never happen to me." Well, it's now happening to me-- a LOT! If not for my wife hearing my snoring and saying "honey put your mask back on," I would be totally screwed. Is there any way I can prevent this from happening? I have the Optilife pillows with a chin strap, and it fits pretty well, so it's not like it's coming off on its own. I'm actively removing it in the middle of the night, but am clueless when it happens......HELP!

[6PtStar]

Some have tried mittens. They make it a bit harder to undo the straps.

Jerry

[LoQ]

I wonder whether there is a psychological component to why this happens. I have so many sleep issues that I knew when the doctor first told me he thought I might have sleep apnea, before I ever had the first sleep test, that having a mask on my face was going to be a huge issue. After an hour of feeling sorry for myself, I began a campaign against my subconscious to accept CPAP treatment, if it came to that. I absolutely refused to entertain a single negative thought about it. By the time, months later, that I actually got a machine and mask, I was ready to accept it as something good for me and something I must do. Therefore, I don't have any subconscious thoughts surfacing that make it 'OK' to remove the mask. I had used one of my mind tricks to conform my subconscious thoughts to my overt will.

The other thing I can think of is that people might take it off if they sense they cannot breathe adequately. I use a breathe right nasal strip to combat that issue. I also have turned up my pressure 1 cm to help dispel the sensation that I'm having trouble breathing. You might try a solution like this first.

I suggest that you find some way to fix your sleeping arrangements so that when you take the mask off, it is more likely to wake you up. I don't know what that would be, but maybe you can think of something. I wouldn't make it harder to remove the mask in case you genuinely need to remove it.

I think some machines will sound an alarm if you take the mask off for too long. Maybe you need one of those machines, or maybe you need to configure the machine you have to do that, if it already has an alarm for mask off situations.

[SharkBait]

I wonder whether there is a psychological component to why this happens. I have so many sleep issues that I knew when the doctor first told me he thought I might have sleep apnea, before I ever had the first sleep test, that having a mask on my face was going to be a huge issue. After an hour of feeling sorry for myself, I began a campaign against my subconscious to accept CPAP treatment, if it came to that. I absolutely refused to entertain a single negative thought about it. By the time, months later, that I actually got a machine and mask, I was ready to accept it as something good for me and something I must do. Therefore, I don't have any subconscious thoughts surfacing that make it 'OK' to remove the mask. I had used one of my mind tricks to conform my subconscious thoughts to my overt will.

This is an interesting thought. When I was reading up and waiting on my test results to get back to my dr. so he could issue an rx, I read where some were saying "get your subconscious on board" and "convince yourself you love your CPAP". For that reason, I refuse to harbor any negative feelings about any of this. No pity parties, nothing. It is what it is. I don't just pay lip service to it, I feel with all my heart that this thing is so good for me and it's so important to breathe and get good solid rest.

So far so good...

[kteague]

Early on I had big issues with wearing my mask even after I returned from the cpap dropout pit. Half the time I would sit on the edge of the bed to put it on and wake up hours later still sitting upright with the mask in my hand. Solved that by remaining standing until the mask was in place and the machine turned on. Keeping it on was another story.

My first plan of attack was to put in place things that would cause pain and wake me if I jerked it off in my sleep. Tried hair clips, but I deftly removed them - after all, I could do that in my sleep. Next step was bandaids - now that helped. But I too had to work on my mental state.

I knew that the brain filters sensations during sleep, generally enabling sleep to continue UNLESS the sensation is associated with danger. I was convinced that sleeping without cpap put my life in danger. This may sound silly, but in an attempt to enhance that sense of danger, every time I awoke to my mask off, I purposely exaggerated my alarm and distress at the event (yes, drama queen). At some point everything came together and I quit taking it off.

I think that was largely because I was getting at least enough sleep to bring me out of my long term nearly catatonic state, and more aware of, er... everything.

As long as your pressure is adequate, hopefully "this too shall pass" for you.

Kathy

[LoQ]

When I was reading up and waiting on my test results to get back to my dr. so he could issue an rx, I read where some were saying "get your subconscious on board" and "convince yourself you love your CPAP".

Good for you! I was so woefully ignorant. I was reading on another board, one that is not particularly pro-patient even though it is mostly inhabited by patients. So by the time I found this board, I was already receiving therapy, and it was too late to insist on a data-capable machine.

I never read anything like what you quote above, but it is terrific advice. I figured it out because I am so keenly aware of how many sleep issues I have.

The RT wanted to set the ramp for me (my Rx was 7 cm), and without even knowing whether I needed a ramp, I said 'no thanks.' I was afraid it would just become one more requirement, that I couldn't get to sleep without the ramp, and I am trying to make sleep more possible under a wider set of circumstances.

I used to need music to get to sleep. I finally turned it off one night, reasoning that it was just a habit. I had a hard time getting to sleep for a while, but eventually I learned to go to sleep without it. Now I don't even want the music, though it would be fine if it's on. Same thing with other sleep aids--I generally try to avoid becoming dependant upon conditions being a certain way in order to be able to sleep. There is no point in developing a dependency you can avoid. After all, whatever it is, you can't always control your environment.

I do have a few I can't wean myself from. I cannot get to sleep without brushing my teeth first. Strange, isn't it? I may try brushing them earlier in the evening and then not before I go to bed to see if I can kick that habit, too. Obviously, I don't want to stop brushing my teeth!

[LoQ]

This may sound silly, but in an attempt to enhance that sense of danger, every time I awoke to my mask off, I purposely exaggerated my alarm and distress at the event (yes, drama queen).

I think this is a really terrific idea. If you didn't "get your subconscious onboard" with CPAP before you started, this seems like a good way to correct that. Thanks for the suggestion. This suggestion really ought to be in the "Our Wisdom" section. It might not help everyone who takes off their mask, but it might help someone, and it's free and not at all harmful.

[BeanMeScot]

I wonder sometimes if people are taking off their mask because they don't feel like they are getting enough air. In which case a slight increase in pressure might help or ir it is congestion related, some kind of nasal rinse or spray. I haven't had this happen to me. It did feel strange at first to have the mask on but after a couple of months, it is second nature.