"please keep me updated about oximeters "
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I'm new - I signed up because I'm losing hope that BiPAP will ever work for me
I was diagnosed with OSA 5 years ago. Since then I have been through 6 masks, 3 machines (BiPAP and CPAP), humidifiers, different pressure levels, mask fittings, 4 sleep studies....im sure many of you have dealt with the same.
My problem is, even though I put the mask on religiously at night, I find it hung up and turned off or thrown on the floor when I wake up. I feel awful if I sleep without it and there is no way to guarantee that it will stay on during the night.
My doctor has tried sleep aids to try to "knock me out" enough to not be able to remove the mask in my sleep, but to no avail. So now, I've been prescribed "uppers" to take during the day if I had a "maskless" night the night before (provigil, and now riddilen).
I've also tried, sleeping with oven mitts on, taping the clasps of the mask so I can't remove it and somehow I am still able to remove it while unconscious.
I've been told surgery is out of the question and that I most likely wouldnt benefit from an oral appliance.
I'm just not sure what to do anymore. Any thoughts?
My problem is, even though I put the mask on religiously at night, I find it hung up and turned off or thrown on the floor when I wake up. I feel awful if I sleep without it and there is no way to guarantee that it will stay on during the night.
My doctor has tried sleep aids to try to "knock me out" enough to not be able to remove the mask in my sleep, but to no avail. So now, I've been prescribed "uppers" to take during the day if I had a "maskless" night the night before (provigil, and now riddilen).
I've also tried, sleeping with oven mitts on, taping the clasps of the mask so I can't remove it and somehow I am still able to remove it while unconscious.
I've been told surgery is out of the question and that I most likely wouldnt benefit from an oral appliance.
I'm just not sure what to do anymore. Any thoughts?
Views: 61
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dave on
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maybe post some of your results here? that may help some of us see what's going on...we have both experienced cpapers and professionals here...we all want to help.....just make sure to block out your name and address, etc! I'm assuming you also have data reports from your various machines as well.
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Permalink Reply by Melba Cooper on
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Dina, sounds like you very much want to wear your mask...at least in the waking hours. I am very new to this...only 3 months into using a mask. I have also tried several different
"styles". I found that when I was taking Ambien, i'd take it off in the night and cast it on the floor. When I am not on sleep meds, though I take it off at night for a short break....I want to put it on again. Perhaps some work with a hyponotist could help????? Are does that sound really over the top? Melba
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For the hours you are on CPAP, what does the data on the machine say? You are definitely doing the right thing by trying to educate yourself online and reaching. There are a lot of people online with similar experiences. In addition, one thing we've all learned about sleep medicine is that very few individual doctors understand the full picture....ie Apneas, sinus issues, UARS, anatomy issues, leak, pressures, bipap vs. cpap, oral appliances, etc....
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In my experience it is possible to take a mask off without knowing. However I rarely find a patient that has not woken between taking the mask off and morning. My question is why did they not put it back on. The answer then is always the same "I did not want to". So if you do take it off put it back on. Sooner or later you will get used to it with determination.
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I've only had this waking up in the morning w/my mask off twice. The first time I very distinctly remember taking it off to go to the bathroom, laying back down in bed and promising myself I'd put the mask back on "in a minute" and obviously fell asleep before doing so. I'm willing to bet that is exactly what happened the second time as well, I just don't remember it.
I've been on xPAP since Oct 2006 so that's what? 31 months? I've been using the same mask the last 24 months. BUT in those first 7 months I went thru considerably more than just 6 masks until I found "the right" mask for me.
Hypnosis was a good suggestion for acclimating to wearing a CPAP mask, especially if claustrophobia is an issue for you. A self-help method is just don your mask and turn your CPAP on during the day or early evening whilst you read a book, magazine or the newspaper, or whilst working a jigsaw or crossword puzzle, or whilst knitting or crocheting or even watching TV - not in bed but in the living room, family room, wherever; so that you are NOT trying to sleep; so that you have something occupying your mind other than "I've got to get to sleep". The MOST IMPORTANT thing is that the mask be COMFORTABLE fitting. If it isn't comfortable and fairly leak free you ARE going to fuss w/it more during your sleep.
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One more thing: it is NOT necessary to take your mask apart every time you clean it, or even only occasionally when you clean it. Wash it all as one piece.
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Permalink Reply by Duane McDade on
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It sounds like you might have some parasomnia going on there.The only reason I say that is if you have no recognition of removing the mask, it might be a sleep walking type event. I not sure if sleep aids do too well with parasomnia, that is I think it will still occur. These events happen during deep sleep. Do you have a history of nightr terrors/sleep waking?
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Thank you all for your help. I actually have an update that I will post as another discussion, because I think its definitely worthy of its own headline.
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