Newbie Help

I was just diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and got the machine. I have worn it about 3 times and I wake up in the morning without it on. I have no idea that I have done it and don't know how long I actually keep it on for but don't think I am wearing it for that long. Any suggestions on how I can keep it on?

Thanks.

You could try taping it to your face. You would then know when you pull it off in your sleep.

Hiya!

First, know that you are not alone here. LOTS of folks have had this particular issue, and they can offer ways to help that worked in their situations. Try a search for "Mask coming off" and you'll get a lot of ideas.

Meanwhile, right below that search box is a User Control Panel. If you fill out your Equipment Profile, we can see what kind of mask you have. That'll make things easier to explain.

One thing to remember, you didn't sleep with something wrapped around your head for most of your life, so your body needs to flag the mask as "safe" before you'll be comfortable with it. This process takes time, and you'll get lots of tips on here as to how to accomplish it. After you acclimate to the mask, your body will react no differently to it than it does to the sheets which touch your body all night too.

Though I have never had this problem, the other night I was dreaming I was receiving a reward from my captain and I was walking on stage wearing my cpap mask. When I got to the captain, he reached up and started yanking it off. I woke up and my mask was half-on. The same night, I was chasing a bad guy and I had the mask on and he started yanking it off too. Whew... bad night!

Sheriff

Some people wear it for a short while during the day or the evening while doing something else (TV, reading) to get used to wearing the mask. The taping is a good idea as it will wake you up when you take it off. Some machines also have a leak alert feature- if that's turned on an alarm will go off if you take your mask off.