Pulling Mask Off in Sleep

[Sleepy Pete]

I've suddenly developed a tendency to remove my mask while asleep. This happens every night, sometimes more then once a night if I have woken up and reseated it.
Anyone any experience of this? any tricks, advice to prevent it happening?

[Tigers Fan]

Boy Scouts forever!

Soft rope of a specific length, passed between your legs and tied round each wrist.

Works every time!

TF

[Sleepy Pete]

Soft rope of a specific length, passed between your legs and tied round each wrist.

Works every time!

TF

That's before I try to go asleep

[symmit]

When you say remove, do you mean carefully remove or just lose it by fidgeting?

[Grumpy]

mysterious unhooking

I've woken up in the morning 'sans mask' with no memory of taking it off.

[Sleepy Pete]

When you say remove, do you mean carefully remove or just lose it by fidgeting?

Ripped of in my sleep. Its either on the bed or the floor still turned on. I have no recollection of removing it.

[Berneta]

Off with the Mask!

I still awake now and then with the mask off--I find that usually happens if my nose is blocked on one side, and I can't breathe fully. I use the nose mask, and not a full face one. Since I turned up the humidity on my humidifer that doesn't happen now. I know its frustrating to wake up with the CPAP blowing away, and the mask off. But I don't think I do it for no reason--because after 7 months I am used to and like mine. Even look forward to going to bed at night. Used to do that alot when I first started the CPAP. Took about 3 weeks to get used to it. My advice is check to see if your nose might be blocked on one side and you are not aware of it. Even with a full face mask--that could make you uncomfortable enough to remove the mask. x Berneta

[jackyk]

i usually wear a full face mask and when i mentioned this at a reveiw, i was told it was probably because it was leaking. once it was adjusted it stopped happening

[Sleepy Pete]

I still awake now and then with the mask off--I find that usually happens if my nose is blocked on one side, and I can't breathe fully. I use the nose mask, and not a full face one. Since I turned up the humidity on my humidifer that doesn't happen now. I know its frustrating to wake up with the CPAP blowing away, and the mask off. But I don't think I do it for no reason--because after 7 months I am used to and like mine. Even look forward to going to bed at night. Used to do that alot when I first started the CPAP. Took about 3 weeks to get used to it. My advice is check to see if your nose might be blocked on one side and you are not aware of it. Even with a full face mask--that could make you uncomfortable enough to remove the mask. x Berneta

Yeah thanks. I have been sleeping ok with the mask. It only started a couple of weeks ago

[symmit]

I'd expect it to be something to do with congestion or discomfort - check the mask and hose for leaks or roughness, give it all a good clean - if your body thinks it's bad for you it's going to get rid of it.

For congestion try an over the counter decongestant spray for a night or two (they are not good for long term use) - if that clears it up check with your GP about something for longer term use, or try something less chemical and systemic such as olbas oil on a pad near the air intake or a couple of menthol crystals in your humidifier.

If you're using a nasal mask you could ask your clinic for a full face mask to have on hand. Or buy one online if you've got the means to do so.

You do have a humidifier don't you? If so increase the setting by one notch, if not then get back to your clinic!

[Sparticus]

This old chestnut!

I wonder over the years how many times we reply to the same old problems, it seems even TF's humour is getting the better of him lol

Masks can be dislodged or launched. With excessive movement masks can often get move around, some people like myself become mask launchers, not sure why but its just part of the body learning to come to terms with your new sleep routine. Mine lasted a few weeks and slowly I found that I was waking with my mask intact. Wait till you wake with your mask on and check if your machines still working Its all normal and no your not different if you look back over the past few years you will see many post asking the same questions and in a few weeks time someone will come onto the forum and ask the same question again. being a forum regular is a bit like "Groundhog Day"

[shuckie]

Hi Sleepy Pete!

When I had this problem the sleep technician told me it was because I wasn't getting to the deep, restful stage of sleep because my CPAP pressure wasn't high enough to compensate for the loss of pressure due to the EPR function being enabled. I was therefore partially waking up in the night - enough to remove the mask then fall back to sleep without realising I'd done so - then waking up again in the morning feeling quite groggy.

It was suggested that the pressure was dropping too low to keep my airway open while I was exhaling, and my airway was closing causing an apnoea despite using the CPAP.

My CPAP pressure was increased from 12.6 to 15 to compensate for the EPR-induced pressure drop. Unfortunately I then started swallowing too much air in my sleep and kept waking up with a very bloated stomach.

During my last appointment the pressure was reduced and the EPR function disabled as I'm now used to wearing the mask. On the plus side I'm not taking the mask off as many times in the night. On the downside I'm still catching up with all the sleep I have missed out on over the previous week or two!

I would recommend that you go back to the clinic and explain what's happening to find out if your CPAP's pressure and/or EPR settings need to be adjusted.

Please keep us posted.


Cheers

shuckie

[Sparticus]

Ban Cpap!!!

I still dont understand why some clinics are still using C-Pap. My preasure varies from 7.6 to 12.5, one night can be high and the next low if you have a static preasure surely every night you could be using the wrong preasure and getting apneas or bloating, time all machine were automatic (APAP)

[shuckie]

Hi Sparticus!

I still dont understand why some clinics are still using C-Pap. My preasure varies from 7.6 to 12.5, one night can be high and the next low if you have a static preasure surely every night you could be using the wrong preasure and getting apneas or bloating, time all machine were automatic (APAP)

I did ask one of the sleep technicians at my clinic about this. The official answer I was given is that, because the pressure needs to drop low enough for an apnoea to occur before the APAP increases the pressure to compensate, patients are better off with a CPAP which is set at the pressure needed to keep their airway open. Patients are put on an APAP first to find out the pressure needed, then this information is used to program the - supposedly more effective - CPAP.

In my opinion an APAP is a better machine, as overall I had a better week's sleep when I borrowed an APAP recently to find out if my CPAP was configured correctly. I found it to be a much more pleasant experience waking up to find the APAP blowing at the minimum pressure of 7, as opposed to my CPAP's (then) maximum pressure of 15. I didn't feel the need to remove the mask immediately while I was using the APAP, as opposed to waking up to the CPAP blowing a full gale in my face!

I think the fact that CPAPs are generally cheaper than APAPs is another reason why some clinics are reluctant to provide the latter to their patients.


Cheers

shuckie

[Sleepy Pete]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm not sure what pressure my machine is set at does anyone know how I find out. I wouldn't want to alter it without speaking to the clinic first but it might help with discussing with them. They always skirt around the technical stuff when I'm there.
I've just realised that the EPR is set to off? Would it be beneficial to change it?