Ripping off the mask

[Liz hutton]

Help, someone,
Been on cpap for about 10wks now. Was doing ok, til I went down with a cold, then a bad chest infection.Spent all my nights and days coughing, So did not use cpap, for about 7days. Now back on it, but find myself waking up at around 3am, totally wide awake. Go down stairs, fall asleep after a couple of hours.
Also on ocassions have woken up, to find mask on floor. Do not remember pulling it off, all straps still in place, as if, I have ripped it straight off.
What's going on????????

[Tigers Fan]

More info

Hi Liz hutton

Can you give us more info - in particular any changes you have made before/after your cold? Changed a pressure setting?

What sort of machine do you have? APAP/CPAP?

Sounds a lot like you are having an apnoea, can't breathe, wake up startled/wide awake - all of which is perfectly "normal" (for us). I suggest making yourself comfortable again in all respects, pressing the ramp button and lay in the dark, thinking calming thoughts. If you really can't get back to sleep, go read for a half hour and try again.

Sometimes the same sequence may happen but you don't become fully conscious and take off your mask, ready to surprise yourself at the next apnoea.

The bane of my life is rolling onto my back, causing an apnoea, which wakes me up, de dah. I wonder what position you are in when you find yourself awake at 3 am.

Tigers Fan

[Liz hutton]

ripping off mask

Hi Tigers Fan,
Thanks for replying, I have a cpap, with a mirage quattro mask.
I haven't changed anything, since my cold. And I'm usually on my back when this happens. Which is not normal for me, as I normally sleep on my side, I find it difficult to fall asleep on my back, as I find my breathing is laboured in that position.(doh!) Think I may have stumbled on the problem. Never really gave it much thought,until you mentioned my sleep position. Can't believe I didn't think of that myself. Still have been a little sleep deprived, since my cold.(that's my excuse anyway.)
It takes some getting used to, all this pallava, just to go to sleep.
Have to say tho', that, before my cold, I had noticed a difference in myself. I wasn't nodding off during the day quite so much.
So... onward we go, till the next problem arises,(which I am sure it will)
Thanks again, it helps to have another person looking at the problem from a different point of view.
Best Wishes

Liz

[michelle]

ripping off mask

Hi Liz and TigersFan. Been off the net for a while but here I am once again. I too have the problem of ripping my mask off, I think I lay on the hose and then when I move my mask comes off. I hate to put you off Liz, but I have been, and still am, struggling after nearly 9 months. I am still tired, don't have the energy to do anything and am literally fed up. I saw my consultant recently and he said" As soon as we fill one hole up, another one appears". I am now looking into a "Splint". So fingers crossed. Good Luck Liz.

[Mr Stefan]

Mask Off

I am in my first week of the treatment and last night was the first time I have slept all night with the mask on, I have woken up with it on my forehead on the floor etc. I have put it back on and went back to sleep, but I still cannot remember removing it.
I have a restriction in one nostril which I think will have to be investigated but I get the feeling I am unable to inhale the amount of air I require. I understand I am going to have some ups and downs in the coming weeks/months and I do have empathy for your situation, sorry I am unable to offer any positive suggestions other than to comment, have you had the fee oil samples they do help take your mind off the aparatus.
Mr Stefan

[Liz hutton]

Ripping off Mask

Thanks Michelle and Mr Stefan,
Still having problems, with mask. Good nights and bad. I've decided to just go with the flow. If it's off, its off. I can't remember taking it off, and the only time I realise, is in the morning. So really can't do a lot about it.
Don't even know, what time it has come off.
I am a heavy sleeper.
But I have to say that, I am less tired during the day, so, it must be on for a fair while.
Been on it now since end of Nov. So looks like I may have a while to go before I master the art of it.
From the messages I see on this forum, there are a lot of us out there, experiancing different problems.
Lets hope between us all, we can get them sorted. And move on.
Till the next problem arises.
Good luck to you all.
Best Wishes
Liz