length of time on cpap

[ainsle14]

hello: i have a lot of trouble keeping the mask on. i wake up and take it off. i am half alpeep when i do this and seem t have no control.
but i do get 4 or 5 hours. i have been told 4 hours is better than none and that is when you get the rem sleep. is this true. thanks

[BlackSpinner]

It is kind of like one broken leg is better then two broken legs.

Use something which hurts when you take the mask off so you wake up. Clip it to your hair or use a bandaid to tape it to your face. As you put the mask back on repeat to yourself "This mask makes sure my sleep is healthy and makes me feel good" to help reprogram your subconscious mind. Also try the reward system - give yourself a treat if you keep it on all night. It is sort of like toilet training a toddler.

[Pugsy]

Any number of hours of sleep using cpap is better than no hours of therapy but there's more to it than just REM sleep which actually comes in cycles and the more you sleep the more you get. See the hypnogram below.
We actually need the repeated cycles for several hours for the restorative powers of sleep to work their magic for optimal results...but yes...some hours of therapy is better than no hours.
With only 4 hours of sleep you aren't going to get many "good" cycles or all that much REM. The bulk of REM happens much later in the night.

[chunkyfrog]

It is OK to indulge in a little fantasy while wearing the mask.
Dream of being a diver, astronaut, or firefighter.
Maybe a little B&D?