Bedtime routine with cpap.

My disclipine and routine is off with my cpap. I sometimes fall asleep immediately and do not put my mask on. I have days where I yawn most of the day or cannot focus. I think this is due to not wearing my mask and cpap. MY bedtime is between 11 and 12 although I get tired about 7 or 8 with my eyes feeling very heavy during the day. Any advice? It would certainly be appreciated. Thanks.

I long ago stopped watching TV and reading in bed for this reason. Now the bed is for sleeping, and my routine is to pick up the mask as I climb into bed, put it on and adjust it, and then put my head on the pillow.

Best way to get yourself into a routine is to develop one that works for you. If you're falling asleep in bed watching TV and forgetting to put the mask on, then stop watching TV in bed. Seems like a no-brainer, but this is your OLD routine. Now you need a new one.

When you go to bed, it's time to snuggle up to your mask and go to sleep. Done deal. I've a CPAPer for many years now. My routine has evolved. Instead of watching the 11 o'clock news, now I watch the 10 o'clock news. Often I watch it in bed. But over time I've gotten to where I put that mask on no matter what. If I start nodding off to sleep, mask goes on NOW and if I miss the news.... who cares? The idiots will report the same damn thing in the morning when I'm getting ready for work.

So.... you need a new routine and then you'll be fine. Don't sweat it. Keep it simple.

Ditto what's already been said. I had to modify my bedtime routine to accommodate CPAP three years ago. Now I read for a few minutes until I start rereading the same paragraph or start hearing those great tunes from the 50s or 60s buzzing in my head and that's how I know it's time to kiss the bride g'night, put on the mask and turn out the light.

Your routine may -- and probably will -- vary.

Don

I had to start washing my face early in the evening because if I did it just before masking up the water on the face would wake me up! Now I do the full routine around 7:30 and pop into bed around 10:15.
Be consistent. Your brain needs the security of the sameness to let it know 'it's time to go to sleep.' As the others have said, don't watch TV or surf the web in bed. Bed is for sleeping and cuddling ONLY.

I have an alarm set for 11 PM, which should be when I should be in bed. But, it has pretty much come to mean, 'finish what you are doing and be in bed before midnight'.

When I get ready for bed, I first put in my eyedrops (glaucoma. And I hope that will go away with therapy). Then, I shave, and wash my face. To save time and effort, i only shave and wash the areas that are contacted by the mask.

I then lay out and connect the hose to the machine. I assemble and fill the humidifier. I assemble the mask, and place it on the bed.

I get into bed, and when ready, don the mask. I connect the hose, and then 'blast away'.

I very rarely watch TV at bedtime (unless I get a call that there are problems with our signal!). Instead, I will play a little handheld Suduko game until I get drowsy. I used to read until drowsy, but it is harder to do with the mask. (They hybrid makes this much easier!)

I turn off the light at this point, and sleep on on my left side for starters.

BTW, my bedroom is not particularly quiet or dark, but these things have never bothered me.

1. Clean up for bed.
2. Plug in aussie heated hose. Verify operation (or prepare to wake up with a waterfall). Drape hose over hose stand.
3. Attach mask to hose
4. Fill humidifier
5. Verify card is in place on CPAP
6. Verify Settings on CPAP
7. Put on Chin Strap and ear plugs
8. Turn off lights
9. Put on mask
10. Cover the illuminated CPAP buttons
11. Turn on CPAP (I use the auto feature for turning on the machine...this is why I cover the buttons first).
12. Sleep

I never watch TV in bed...i rarely watch TV at all. If I read in bed, I usually do it with the machine going. If I fall asleep with my book, I do not have to worry about apnea issues.

wow... you guys really have some ROUTINES.... I just have a routine



I go to bed at 10pm... watch 10pm news... when sports comes on I put on my mask, start breathing, machine kicks in and I hit the button on the remote that turns off the TV.

Next thing I know it's time to get up for work! hehehe

Yardbird-
I am there with you. Mine is definitely a "small r" routine. I always watch our last show-usually the 10PM rerun of Two and a Half Men" -in bed, then untie the bag that covers my mask (after stories of ants and worse crawling in, it just makes me feel safer!!) , put on the mask and start breathing through it to start up the APAP, toss the bag in my nightstand, turn off the tv, and get settled in my chosen sleeping position for the start of the night-usually my right side,with my hose tossed over my head.
It's been interesting reading what everyone does, though.
Pleasant dreams, everybody!
~joan

Thanks all of you for the great advice. Every bit helps. I am also a severe Type I diabetic and checking blood sugar, snacking if need be and taking meds also is a last minute chore. I will make sure I am more scheduled with all this and I appreciate all the replies. Take care.