Dased and confused!

[thunder]

So i have had troubles waking up in the morning for as long as i can remember, But after having kids i needed help! After waiting on a list for over a year! I finally got a sleep study done! I had a night time test followed by a day. The day one showed excessive tiredness. I think my average to fall asleep was 6 Min's.

I was put on dexamphetimines about 3 months ago and am still on them! I am also on a CPAP machine,.. kinda!
I was told my oxygen levels dropped but didn't stop. They told me they didn't know if it was enough to cause my tiredness. They said i had a lot of grey areas in the results and couldn't tell me exactly what is wrong!
When i had the CPAP at the sleep clinic every time they tried to up my pressure i woke up!


Okay so i hired a machine, It's a automatic resmed that was originally set from 4 to 8 and had recently been updated to 12. it has a heated humidifier and am using a medium micro mirage mask.
I have been using it for about a month and a half and have only managed to use it for 3 full nights!!!

Main problems are
1, I take it off in the night without realising it and am not sure why!
2, I find i get itchy under the mask while it is on
3, I find it feels sweaty around the mask area

The CPAP guy that i hired the machine off, pulled out the results the other day and he said he think i deff have sleep apnea but i am waiting on him to E-mail me my results. I also have a appointment with my sleep tech in a few days but this is so confusing.

I am really trying to use the thing but i just don't seem to be able to do it.
Any tips on making it easier?

[leswaller]

Hi Thunder
We all suffer with these problems when we first start so dont worry, taking off the mask without realising it certainly isnt going to help you. Try making it more difficult to get off so that it wakes you up, can you wear something over the straps? Make sure that you wash the mask every day with plain soap and water and make sure you wash your face before putting the mask on, this should alleviate the itching. Are you sure that it is sweat in the mask rather than moisture? it could be condensation from the tube leading to the mask, this can be reduced by putting an insulating wrap round the tube, or eliminated by using a heated tube. The humidifier could also be adding to the problem, it might be worth trying a night without it. Stick with it, the end results are worth the effort in the end

[James @ Intus]

Good tips!

Also check whether the machine has a "mask off" alarm and if so, that it's turned on. That way you can at least put the mask back on. Some also attach the mask straps to their hair with clips etc. so when you pull it off, you'll wake up so you can remedy it.

If mask skin issues remain, you can also ask for "direct nasal pillows" which don't touch your facial skin but connect to the nostrils directly.