New to CPAP

Hello everyone. I've spent some time reading and I see a lot of people having issues with the masks so I don't feel quite alone. My Dr told me that my AHI was the worst he personally had ever seen so I'm anxious to get this right.

Some of my stats

Male Age: 40 AHI: 92 Oxygen: low 80's Pressure: 13 Mask: Covers the nose completely Machine: Resmed Air Sense 10

I don't have any issues with the mask itself. I fall asleep easily. I don't find the air flow an issue and everything seems comfortable. The problem is that no matter what I do, I always wake up with the mask off. I have no memory of doing this at all so my Dr's suggestions to "not take it off" are less than helpful. When i actually wear the mask the apneas drop to 0.

I've tried different humidity settings, no humidity at all, setting my alarm for 3am to put it back on, even wearing mittens so that i can't work the straps but night time Tim appears to be quite dexterous.

I'm exhausted and worried I'll have a heart attack before I figure this out. Anyone have any advice?

PAP therapy discussion on this forum comes up with new twists every day! Sleep walking? Yes! Sleep de-masking? Why not. Actually, never heard of removing a mask where the person doesn't have any memory of it. Your sleep study showed at what level of sleep state you were in during the session. Normally, a person with OSA with many episodes and low SPO2 will not reach deep sleep much, if at all. In my case, I used to get up 3 or 4 times to go to the bathroom but this was because I never got into the deep sleep state much at all. After therapy, I don't get up at all for the most part and since SPO2 issues are resolved and I am sleeping more deeply, feel better. I suspect if you are pulling the mask off without being aware, then you may not be hitting deep sleep as well as possible. Just a guess but I would look in that direction.

I sometimes have my mask (have a couple but this is true for both) slip up over my bottom lip into my mouth during the night if my jaw slacks. This will wake me up and I will then wake enough to adjust. Could this be happening and you just pull the mask without remembering? Dunno but perhaps others will have some ideas. Good luck and let us know how this turns out for you! BTW: My SPO2 hit the low 70s for extended periods; it is now fixed.

Lots of people that are new to CPAP have this issue so you are not alone. Setting your alarm clock doesn't help? Hopefully others will have some words of wisdom. But DON'T panic yourself into a heart attack! Just keep at it and it will finally pay off.

GlobalTim, I have heard people removing their masks in the middle of the night and having no recollection of it. It can be numerous things causing it. unfortunately I don't have a good answer for you. Are you new to treatment, perhaps you will get accustomed to the treatment and will stop removing it in time. Sounds like you are using a nasal mask, perhaps a full face mask would do the trick? something that is larger and a little more difficult to remove in the night? Are you using any tracking programs such as Myair or Sleepyhead? Perhaps your mask starts leaking in the night, subconsciously this bothers you and you remove it? You can track your leak and usage through these programs.

GlobalTim, I know someone that did this also, took their mask off. They are going to try the full face mask that just came out. ResMed Airtouch F20. They use a memory foam pillow insert instead of the plastic/silicone so it will be more comfortable and less apt to take it off in your sleep. The nasal version is Airtouch N20.

Welcome to the world of CPap!

Two words: Duct Tape! Just kidding!

When I first received my CPap, I was told to sit upright and watch some TV to become acclimated to it. That helped so very much. I have never removed my head gear at night unless I was awake or there was a leak that I needed to adjust it.

If your mask and gear are uncomfortable, maybe you need to try a different type. Give it some time to become accustomed to something new. Good luck!

This kind of thing is quite common among my patients. In most cases, it gradually becomes less over time as your body learns what's what. I'm afraid that I don't have any useful advice other than persistence. Getting some good sleep with your CPAP is better than none. Also, the statistics you quote sound bad, but they are worlds away from the worst I've seen, so don't get too stressed about that.