Had my first mask leak tonight

[justacpapuser]

I have a full face mask. Yesterday, I took a hair cut figuring it'll make the whole mask thing much simpler.
It is probably not related, but I did wake up 1-2 times in the morning due to mask leak (felt it in my eyes). I didn't really shift a lot but I notice that it is enough for me to frown or "make a face" in order to have a leak.
I assume I should just secure it more tightly?

Also, I tried positioning myself on the side and by carefully placing my head on the edge of the pillow it is comfortable enough and I don't experience leaks.
However, I'm learning how to sleep on my back pretty well over the last week and I noticed I am in the same position waking up that I went to sleep (new thing for me).

[StevenWinters]

There's a fine line between preventing annoying leaks (especially near the eyes) and tightening it too much. You shouldn't see discoloration on your face when you wake up from where the mask is touching your skin, and if you do, it should fade away quickly or you could cause a problem.

My first night with the CPAP at the sleep diagnostic center, they definitely had my mask too tight, the top of my nose was red for a couple of days, and my doctor was very insistent that I not wear it that tight.

[justacpapuser]

There's a fine line between preventing annoying leaks (especially near the eyes) and tightening it too much. You shouldn't see discoloration on your face when you wake up from where the mask is touching your skin, and if you do, it should fade away quickly or you could cause a problem.

My first night with the CPAP at the sleep diagnostic center, they definitely had my mask too tight, the top of my nose was red for a couple of days, and my doctor was very insistent that I not wear it that tight.

Since I'm a new user, I think I'll just figure it out as I go - proper securing and all.
I'm also recovering from a very bad cough and who knows, maybe I coughed a little bit in my sleep (is such a thing even possible while still being asleep)?

[chunkyfrog]

Sleep lab fitting 'techniques' may be responsible for a lot of folks deciding never to try the hose at all.
I'm glad I found out here that it doesn't have to hurt.

[nanwilson]

Are you sure you should be trying to sleep on your back? Usually this is discouraged as OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) your tongue falls back and you choke or can't breathe...........you would thingk that sleeping on your back makes it so much easier for your tongue to slide back into your throat. That is why we are encouraged to sleep on our side.

[justacpapuser]

Are you sure you should be trying to sleep on your back? Usually this is discouraged as OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) your tongue falls back and you choke or can't breathe...........you would thingk that sleeping on your back makes it so much easier for your tongue to slide back into your throat. That is why we are encouraged to sleep on our side.

Mmmmmmm...... you got a point there. I guess I was encouraged to sleep on my back during the sleep study in order for symptoms to show.
Problem with sleeping on my side and stomach is that many times I wake up due to numb arms. I might try it though... Also..... I sometimes find it comfortable to be on my back but to have my face to the side.

[Pugsy]

I guess I was encouraged to sleep on my back during the sleep study in order for symptoms to show.
Problem with sleeping on my side and stomach is that many times I wake up due to numb arms. I might try it though... Also..... I sometimes find it comfortable to be on my back but to have my face to the side.

Some people do have a marked increase in events or pressure needs when sleeping on their back. So this is why sleep studies encourage supine sleeping to get the "worst case scenario" thing. Not everyone will be worse on their back though.
Not everyone can avoid supine sleeping either. Getting sleep is paramount in importance...worry about worse supine or not later. You have an APAP machine with adjustable pressures so let the machine do its job if need be. Don't sacrifice sleeping to avoid supine sleeping if it comes to that. If you can comfortably sleep well on your side then do it but you have to use the machine anyway so let it do its job. When you get your copies of your sleep studies there are usually comments about numbers of events relative to sleeping position. If there isn't a huge difference between supine sleeping and side sleeping it may not even matter. In my case there really wasn't any difference in events with sleep position but now in REM stage sleep I rock and roll. Huge difference in AHI and sometimes even pressure needs.