Hello:

My name is Christopher, and I have been using CPAP since March of 2004. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in February of 2004 by my Cardiologist when I told her of my symptoms as well as complained of chest pains. I try to use my CPAP Machine on a regular basis, but I always find myself taking my mask off in the middle of the night. Furthermore, I tend to find myself irritated with the headgear that holds my CPAP Mask entact, it usually keeps coming apart. I have thought of using shoe strings to hold my mask on, but that is probably not wise. What are your experiences with such issues? Please help me out with this.

   


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Heavy "C"

Heavy C 2002 wrote:

Hello:

My name is Christopher, and I have been using CPAP since March of 2004. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea in February of 2004 by my Cardiologist when I told her of my symptoms as well as complained of chest pains. I try to use my CPAP Machine on a regular basis, but I always find myself taking my mask off in the middle of the night. Furthermore, I tend to find myself irritated with the headgear that holds my CPAP Mask entact, it usually keeps coming apart. I have thought of using shoe strings to hold my mask on, but that is probably not wise. What are your experiences with such issues? Please help me out with this.

   

IF that mask doesn't work, try another!!  Anything that will get the therapy in you is worth it.  Rested Gal has even employed nylons!  Have you replaced your mask yet or is it the original one from 2004?

attach the mask with lots of sticking plaster so the pain will remind you to not remove it

make the final strap adjustments when lying down, try some other types of masks, it can take several tries to find a mask that suits you

They say mask seals can deteriorate noticeably after six months.  I generally find my mask not sealing as well in the six to twelve month range.  Rather than thinking you're doing something wrong that's keeping the mask from sealing, just accept that the mask needs replacing at that point.  Most insurance policies that cover CPAP masks will allow you to replace them every six months or less.  You could just replace the seal and keep the rest of the mask, but other parts also deteriorate, so a new mask twice a year is a good idea.

I've found, except with an aging mask, that the straps need to be looser than one would think.  I know it sounds counterintuitive, but looser straps allow the seal to fill with air and work properly.

As far as taking your mask off in the middle of the night, it's probably because you nose is congested or because your mask isn't working very well for you.  For congestion, do what you need to do for relief - or get a full face mask (which has its own set of problems).  If your mask isn't working well, there's no need to suffer with it; see your supplier and get fitter to a mask better suited to your facial structure.