When do you put the mask and machine on?

Are you supposed to put the machine and mask on when you start to fall asleep? OR do you put it on the second you get in bed? I like to watch tv for an hour or so in bed and wasn't sure if I should put the machine on right away or wait till I start to fall asleep? Thank you of your responses.

...wife and I like to "snuggle" a while before bed...when the final smooch is done, I reach over for my nasal pillows, put them on, adjust my chin strap and head off to lahlah land...I use a Resmed auto start machine so, I do all this without worrying about having to crankup my machine everytime...... madjack

p.s. the resmed also has a ramp up feature...allows you to put mask on and have machine kick on when wanted (basically)........mj

You really only need to wear the machine when you are sleeping. If you are someone who tends to doze off when watching TV then I would put it on while watching TV. You are also fine though, if you want to wear it during that hour of TV watching also.

I'm new to wearing the machine and I"m trying to get used to it. My RT told me to wear it in the bed while I read or watch tv, before I fall asleep, so I could get used to it.

I am a dentist working in dental sleep medicine. I can tell you what applies to oral sleep apnea appliances. I believe that the same would hold true for CPAP masks and machines. Sleeping when untreated is harmful to your health. Anytime that you feel that you might possibly fall asleep, you should be wearing your treatment. Dr. Luisi

I can assure you, if I was to try and wait until I became sleepy while watching tv, it would never get put on. I fall asleep during commercial breaks and miss the rest of the show/movie. I put mine on as soon as I start to lie down on the bed.

Getting used to the mask is a good idea, most people would fall asleep whilst watching tv so it is a good idea to have it on if there is any chance of that happening.

I go to sleep around 5 minutes of putting on my mask which means I would only put it on to go to sleep. I do not read in bed with the mask on. I have never fallen asleep whilst reading. So if you are like me you'd leave the mask off whilst watching TV and put it on roll over and go to sleep.