Removing CPAP mask in the middle of the night

I sleep with CPAP machine on but wake up to find it removed. All this happens in an unconscious state of sleep. Can anyone recommend how to sustain it throughout the full night sleep?

Hello, I do not know what type of mask you use, I can talk about my experience. I wear a Full Face Mask its an AirTouch F20 from ResMed. I was having trouble keeping my mask under my lower lip and would wake up in the middle of the night with the bottom of the mask in my mouth. I went to a company that sells mask liners and pads for straps, Pad A Cheek. I picked up what they call a mask stabilizer, this worked for me, until I learned to keep my mouth shut. The part that may help you is that putting this strap on after getting my mask fit and comfortable meant that removing the mask became much more difficult as this strap needed to be removed first. The strap attaches to the bottom straps of my mask and goes under the chin. This company has other straps that may also help with your type of mask. You will eventually get used to keeping the mask on, just keep trying.

Can you send the link where I can view details of the strap

Just a chin strap or a headband put under your chin and over your head. You just need something harder to get the mask off. The sleepy urge to take it off, will settle down as you continue cpap.

Decongestants can help, as might something to help you sleep. I think the best bet would be something that has a little of both - Zzzquil or Sleepytime (the generic of Zzzquil) will keep you a little less congested (the main reason I take my mask off now) and help you fall asleep before your semi-conscious takes the mask off. You might also be getting up to use the restroom, taking off the mask for that, then returning to bed and lying down before putting the mask back on - I've had that happen.

I think a strap - as other people are suggesting - could be a good idea. Be careful about taking something that is too strong as a sleep aid - those can increase unconscious activity.

You should also have them check your data - you might need to have your high pressure reduced or your mask fit worked on. I know I took mine off a lot at the beginning because the ramp took me from too low to too high. I had other issues with the high pressure (thyroid nodules decreasing the body's reaction to the pressure) and so reducing the high while increasing the start-up pressure on the ramp helped a lot with keeping the mask on. If the mask leaks at high pressure, it will vibrate and whine - then you will take the mask off, because it's too annoying. A different mask brand might fit your sleeping face better and help you leave the mask on.

Hi people. This is my first post. I'm posting under this discussion because I do unconsciously remove my nose pillow mask almost every night during sleep, and yes, I do also turn the machine off! Most of the time I don't realize I'm taking it off but sometimes I'm conscious that I want to take it off after a few hours. I have no problem falling asleep with it on, but I don't get why I remove it most nights. I know I'm not alone so this issue should be investigated for our brains seem to be reacting to it as it reacts when we stop breathing due to our sleep apnea. I would not try remedies or short cuts to this issue until I learn that that they are safe. We need to realize that wearing a mask and having a machine forcing air through our throats is not natural. Something must be happening that triggers that effect in some people.