CPAPtalk.com

Went through that the first few months myself. Some people have described very intricate efforts made in their sleep to remove the mask and carefully even put it away. At one time I did the bandaid thing over the strap on my cheek in hopes the pain of removal would wake me enough to be aware of what I was doing.

In attempting to fix any sensations that may be prompting removal, you might try a mask liner and/or turning the humidifier down to mitigate the sweaty face.

bucksbeek wrote: I just want to understand the reason behind it. Could it be my body still not use to something on my face? Am I not getting enough air? Don't think that is the case because numbers are good. Do I need a different mask? Sorry for the vent, but it's really frustrating!!!!!

Many systems work in low light and some have thier own Infrared (IR) lights. Videotape yourself. At least get audio.

Note how much you breath at the time you take the mask off.

Have a great week!

Todzo

Many of the replies to your post - and you too! - mentioned positive self talk. I'd really recommend this. Consider you and your machine and mask as partners. "we're in this together'. Consider trust in your machine and mask. I know this sounds a bit strange, because you may have lots of questions and be struggling with 'change' with your diagnosis. However, thinking about your thoughts, emotions and beliefs can help to modify behaviour. This is standard CBT therapy and you don't need to go to a therapist to benefit (although you could).

I'm a VERY new user - been a 'hose-head' for only 4 weeks and felt quite apprehensive about using my machine at first. Now I love it. I actually look forward to going to bed, knowing that my obstructive apneoa is now 0 (!) my oxygen levels normal, I keep my mouth closed ALL night, don't snore and some odd heart rate results have settled. I am fortunate I have had a good physical response to this therapy, but it also helps to do a bit of 'counselling' on yourself too, for the emotional side. I found it useful to breathe in deeply as I turn the machine on. This lessens any slight sensations of 'shock' as you meet the pressure of the air initially. If your pressure rate is right for you, and your mask is at least tolerable and as you say your readings are good, then you may still be reacting to the whole 'foreignness' of the experience, and a way to combat this is your own reassurance to yourself that the machine and mask are now 'part of you and your life'. I hope this helps!

Many people give their cpap machine a nickname, --to make it part of the family?
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57380&start=0

chunkyfrog wrote:Many people give their cpap machine a nickname, --to make it part of the family?
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=57380&start=0

Wow! This made me laugh so hard! I am definitely inspired to name my machine/mask now though! Maybe that WILL help me become one with it.

thousandeyes wrote:Many of the replies to your post - and you too! - mentioned positive self talk. I'd really recommend this. Consider you and your machine and mask as partners. "we're in this together'. Consider trust in your machine and mask. I know this sounds a bit strange, because you may have lots of questions and be struggling with 'change' with your diagnosis. However, thinking about your thoughts, emotions and beliefs can help to modify behaviour. This is standard CBT therapy and you don't need to go to a therapist to benefit (although you could).

Thank you for the advice! After reading everyone's responses I am feeling much better and am making a commitment to keeping a positive attitude. At least for tonight (baby steps).

khauser wrote:So along with the useless advice I may have a piece of useful advice. If you are able to, videotape (does anyone actually use tape any more?) yourself tonight. If you wake up in the morning with the mask off you'll be able to review the video and find where you're taking it off. Perhaps something is happening around that time that makes you not tolerate it. Maybe, in your sleep, you actually try to face-plant the pillow, and the mask makes that hard (OK, I went back to useless. I'll stop now).

I do still have a video camera that uses hi-8 tapes. I would have to dig it out and charge it up but it's definitely worth looking into. Good idea!

Here's to keeping the mask on tonight! Cheers!

I did the same thing for 6 months or so. I taped it to my head so it was painful to remove and STILL managed to take it off some nights. But eventually I got used to it.

You do want to make sure it doesn't feel funny or sore when you manage to wear it the whole night - something could be irritating you about it. Also check your pressures, make sure they're not too low or high, where you want to take it off for breathing purposes.

Edit: I used duct-tape, so it wasn't easy to take off. get a few hairs in there, it definitely lets you know you're taking it off. Yes, it's a bit extreme, but it worked.

This is very interesting, I am glad you brought this up, as I am going through the same experience. I use the F&P 360 Pillows. My wife tells me I am pulling the mask off when it develops leaks during the night as I am a restless sleeper, also it seems to happen when I exhale through my mouth too much - it gives me dry mouth and then I unconsciously pull it off. This has been going on (off and on) for weeks/months now and just when I think I am getting on top of it back it comes with a vengeance and I will drop from an average of 6 hours usage to 2 hours for a few nights running. I generally use a Resmed chin strap when I can put up with it (it often slips off) but even that doesn't always help matters. I am still trying to find the mask that suits me best but I mainly use F&P Pillows. I recently mentioned this matter to my sleep technician but, apart from getting the hours up, he didn't seem too concerned as he felt the leak graphs were within the acceptable limits. It has been good to read the suggestions here and I am keen to try taping the mask on.

Well, I was able to keep my mask on for 7.8 hours last night. Wahoo! I did keep repeating to myself while falling asleep that I was going to keep this mask on all night. I remember waking up at one point and did have the urge to pull it off but I just closed my eyes and obviously went back to sleep. I didn't look at the time but should have so I could get a better idea of what to look for in the data. However, I looked over my data. I noticed that there were numerous times when I broke from the mask, that it happened just after a series of apnea events. This was not true every time but quite a few times. Especially the night I only wore it for 2 hours, data showed that I had 3 OA events within the half hour and then mask off. Interesting.

bucksbeek wrote:Well, I was able to keep my mask on for 7.8 hours last night. Wahoo! I did keep repeating to myself while falling asleep that I was going to keep this mask on all night. I remember waking up at one point and did have the urge to pull it off but I just closed my eyes and obviously went back to sleep. I didn't look at the time but should have so I could get a better idea of what to look for in the data. However, I looked over my data. I noticed that there were numerous times when I broke from the mask, that it happened just after a series of apnea events. This was not true every time but quite a few times. Especially the night I only wore it for 2 hours, data showed that I had 3 OA events within the half hour and then mask off. Interesting.

That's great news about using your mask eight hours, plus your detective work with the data. It shows you've got a great can-do motivation going on... I think you'll soon get on the right track and leave your mask on all night, every night.

SnorkelPuss wrote:Just a thought: if you take sleep med like Ambien, you might do things and don't remember.

Like... going to the store, calling an ex girlfriend (Ambi-calling) or getting into a deep conversation with your wife about Ambi-calls (dangerous!).

Bucksbeek,

I'm reading this thread because I too am having this exact issue, minus the headboard. I'm even turning my machine off in my sleep. Very frustrating for me. Tonight, I'm moving my machine out of reach.

BTW, I know it wasn't Ambien! I didn't take one (not proof) because there are no empty boxes of Oreos laying around and my credit card is clean (proof of Ambi-shopping).