I've been using my CPAP for a little over two weeks, and except for one night in which I slept five hours with it on, I haven't been able to use my mask for more than two hours. It seems that after two hours of sleeping with the mast on, I take it off in my sleep! Rarely, I wake up slightly to take it off, with justifications that make sense to my half-asleep self. Is there any suggestion you guys have? Is there anything you think could be causing this? The only thing I can even think it could be is that my mouth may fall open during the night.

Hi Ryuko...I also did the same thing when I first started wearing my mask. I think you take it off because it is something you are not used to. It took me a couple of weeks but I finally started taking it off less and less, and also started becoming aware of what I was doing....so was able to stop myself. I think you have to give yourself time to get used to the feel of it on your face. Good luck.


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*** Linda ***

Unfortunetly, I am in the other boat...I have been using my CPAP for over 5 yrs now, and been slowly declining in use.  That is, it is becoming more frequent that I wake up with the mask off, machines (CPAP and heated humidifier) turned off.  I have no recall of turning them off, so I have no way of knowing how long I actually wore the mask for.  PLUS, I have been wearing/not wearing the mask for so many years now that my wife is oblivious to it, so she doesn't even wake up to the onset of snoring that I know must happen.  

The good news is my doc just increased my pressure setting.  Perhaps that will help.  We'll see.

Quote:

airfieldman wrote: The good news is my doc just increased my pressure setting. Perhaps that will help. We'll see.

I sure hope that helps you...Good luck.


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*** Linda ***

to ryuko

be patient and do lots of positive thinking, we all take the mask off in our sleep at first, some sticking plaster holding the mask to the face may help, it takes some of us  3 months to get used to the mask

having the mouth open when asleep with any nose mask is a big problem that isnt properly addressed by most sleep labs
a chinsplint helps some but not all, taping the lips is the answer but is controversial with some obvious risks, some say tape across the centre of the lips is safe enough

with any nose mask a CPAP simply cant work unless the mouth is completely shut, a very dry mouth on waking suggests the mouth has been open at some time

Ryuko wrote:

I've been using my CPAP for a little over two weeks, and except for one night in which I slept five hours with it on, I haven't been able to use my mask for more than two hours. It seems that after two hours of sleeping with the mast on, I take it off in my sleep! Rarely, I wake up slightly to take it off, with justifications that make sense to my half-asleep self. Is there any suggestion you guys have? Is there anything you think could be causing this? The only thing I can even think it could be is that my mouth may fall open during the night.

Hi,

Quite a common problem. People usually 'grow out of it'.
If it persists talk to your doctor. In some cases a slight rise in pressure sorts it out.

Daniel


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The untreated Sleep Apnoea sufferer died quietly in his sleep.......
Unlike his three passengers who died screaming !!!!!!

(Anon)

Ryuko wrote:

I've been using my CPAP for a little over two weeks, and except for one night in which I slept five hours with it on, I haven't been able to use my mask for more than two hours. It seems that after two hours of sleeping with the mast on, I take it off in my sleep! Rarely, I wake up slightly to take it off, with justifications that make sense to my half-asleep self. Is there any suggestion you guys have? Is there anything you think could be causing this? The only thing I can even think it could be is that my mouth may fall open during the night.

hi ryuko i had the same problems in the begining too. i think that one thing that drove me batty was the velcro touching my skin. what i finally did was to use self adhesive ace type bandage cut into strips around the velcro so the scratchy side didn't shift or rub on my face or neck. use your ramp until you adjust to the pressure. the other thing that i did was to wrap my arms in baby type blanket as i was falling asleep. and keeping my arms beneath the sheets and blankets. be patience hang in there. janey

Update: I got a chinstrap, hoping it would solve some of my mouth falling open problems, and the first night I wore it, I woke up in the morning with the chinstrap around my neck and the mask on the floor.  

I'm trying my best, so I guess I'll have to see how it goes. I think part of the problem is that I am asthmatic, and I've gotten used to breathing through my mouth rather than my nose. It's something I've done all my life... Changing to breathing through my nose would be like an athlete starting to drink water through a coffee straw.. It just doesn't work. I think I'll try for a couple more weeks with the chinstrap to see if it gets any better, and then I might ask them to put me on a full-face.

Thanks for your advice, guys!

Ryuko wrote:

Update: I got a chinstrap, hoping it would solve some of my mouth falling open problems, and the first night I wore it, I woke up in the morning with the chinstrap around my neck and the mask on the floor.  

I'm trying my best, so I guess I'll have to see how it goes.

I think part of the problem is that I am asthmatic, and I've gotten used to breathing through my mouth rather than my nose.

It's something I've done all my life... Changing to breathing through my nose would be like an athlete starting to drink water through a coffee straw.. It just doesn't work. I think I'll try for a couple more weeks with the chinstrap to see if it gets any better, and then I might ask them to put me on a full-face.

Thanks for your advice, guys!

If you are a true mouth breather consider the Oracle II interface from Fisher & Paykel, which is sort of like a scuba gear mouthpiece. The air comes through the tubing into the mouth and nothing covers the nose at all...

Dave

lynn543 wrote:

to ryuko

be patient and do lots of positive thinking, we all take the mask off in our sleep at first, some sticking plaster holding the mask to the face may help, it takes some of us  3 months to get used to the mask

having the mouth open when asleep with any nose mask is a big problem that isnt properly addressed by most sleep labs
a chinsplint helps some but not all, taping the lips is the answer but is controversial with some obvious risks, some say tape across the centre of the lips is safe enough

with any nose mask a CPAP simply cant work unless the mouth is completely shut, a very dry mouth on waking suggests the mouth has been open at some time

I have to say I am very pleased with the posts on here. The sleep Tech I had ,said I needed to breathe in my nose and out my mouth. But after meeting with the respritory therapist today I found that not to be the case. I have slept for maybe one hour with the mask on tonight and found myself awake again. My nose burns and I feel like I am overwhelmed.
ANy suggestions would be great. Thank You in Advance

Hi Sleepless,

There are several FF masks on the market that work well.  ResMed, Respironics and Fisher & Paykel all have FF masks.  My personal preference for fit and feel is between ResMed and Fisher & Paykel.  The caveat is that at pressures over 9 the ResMed and Respironics masks tend to leak so I use a Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 431.  There are several of us on this forum who use it and love it.  We find it to be very comfortable although, as with any interface, I've seen someone who hates it.  But, it is the best first choice for a mask if your pressure is over 9.

Vicki


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That which does not kill you makes you stronger-Friedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich must of had apnea.