Hey there...

I've had a CPAP machine for about a year and a half.  The first year or so I had no troubles.  But lately, I *always* wake up 2-4 hours after going to sleep, feeling like I can't breathe.  In my half-awake state I take off the mask and go back to sleep.

My CPAP pressure is 9.  I recently started using a chin strap because I was having some trouble with my mouth hanging open while sleeping.

I can tell I'm not really getting good sleep, or the full (if any) benefits of the CPAP.  Any suggestions as to why might have changed and how I can correct the problem?

Thanks.

I woke up this morning and found the mask off of my face, the tube disconnected from the CPAP device and the entire CPAP with humidifier on the floor upside down.  Other times I have found the mask in my hand with no idea of how long it had been off.  Once I dreamed there was no escape (rip-cord) available on the mask and found the mask on the floor the next morning.

I don’t know what passive solution can be applied physically to prevent the natural feeling of constriction and our negative reaction to it.  I keep telling myself the mask is my friend and wants to help me!  But we keep right on having arguments.  So I’m with you in trying to learn a solution.  It seems to me there are several folks (perhaps the majority) who have the problem solved.  I'm going to stand by with you and wait for their advice.


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when my sister was having this problem she told her doctor and they made a change in pressure.  Another time they made a change in humidity setting.  
What I am saying is that sometimes when people take their mask off during sleep it indicates that there is a problem with a setting that is making them uncomfortable, or making it hard to breath. Fixing the setting can fix the problem.

I share your problem with not being able to keep the mask on all night.   Often I wake up feeling very dry-mouthed, which probably wakes me up.   I have tried to adjust the humidity level, but to no avail.   Once I have woken up, I cannot replace the mask and go back to sleep, so I usually just sleep without it for the rest of the night.   I figure part of the night with the mask is better than no part of the night.

I am only three nights into using CPAP and have been very happy...when my self-adjusting machine (on loan until my second sleep study for titration) gets to about a 6.3 or above setting.  For my machine this takes about 45 minutes from start-up.  I have begun using the machine about 30 minutes before lying down so I don't lie there waiting for a comfortable pressure.

All that to say that I think that the pressure setting may well be your problem as others here have written.  The first two nights I would wake up once or twice and remove the mask momentarily because I would walk to the bathroom or because I'm still getting adjusted to waking with the mask on.  I discovered that the machine would shut down automatically when the mask was off my face for more than a few seconds.  This would necessitate the machine re-starting at a setting of 4.0 in order to slowly ramp-up the pressure once again.  This would keep me awake until the pressure reached a comfortable range for me (strange how quickly one gets used to the higher pressure).  Perhaps, in your case, the same problem - incorrect pressure - triggers your body's reaction (removing the mask).

This opinion is from a novice, so take it with a block of salt.

Patrick

Patrick - you should be able to adjust the ramp to start at a higher pressure, ramp for a shorter time or just bypass the ramp altogether.  After a few months. I started my ramp higher than the original setting since at first I felt like I couldn't breathe at the lower pressure.  After 8 months of CPAP, I don't use the ramp at all and my pressure is set to 13.

Hi,  I share all of your pain.  I have been on CPAP for about a week and except for the fist night when I slept all the way through (I guess I was exhausted), I have awoken every night since at around 4 AM with dry mouth and searching for air.  I have been tempted to take off the mask but manage to convince myself to stay with it.  while I feel better overall, the idea of "having" to wear the mask for ever has started to get me down.

MrMorden wrote:

Hey there...

I've had a CPAP machine for about a year and a half.  The first year or so I had no troubles.  But lately, I *always* wake up 2-4 hours after going to sleep, feeling like I can't breathe.  In my half-awake state I take off the mask and go back to sleep.

My CPAP pressure is 9.  I recently started using a chin strap because I was having some trouble with my mouth hanging open while sleeping.

I can tell I'm not really getting good sleep, or the full (if any) benefits of the CPAP.  Any suggestions as to why might have changed and how I can correct the problem?

Thanks.

Hey it's my first time on this chat but Man My air pressur is at 12 to 14 12 to 14 ya and that is sort of doing it for me they say i'm i am a sever case but still raise the pressure and it does help me my problem is I sleep walk so sooner or later I just rip my mask of and wake up exasted sorry about the spelling I hope that helps?

If your CPAP has worked well for you in the past but recently is causing problems, as previously mentioned, that indicates a need for a change.  You probably need a pressure adjustment.  Also, chin straps don't work for me and may not be working for you.  I use a very comfortable full faced mask which works very well for pressures over 9, the Fisher & Paykel Flexifit 431.

Vicki

Hey all, I just started using the cpap machine last night and I cannot keep the mask on for more then 2 1/2 hours at a time. I have the mirage swift mask and it hurts my nose...also I seem to be having problems adjusting my breathing to the pressure. Hopefully with time I will improve. Any suggestions on how to stick with the mask for longer durations?
Debbie