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Subconscious Mask Removal - Printable Version

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Subconscious Mask Removal - SaucyRossi - 09-22-2017

Hello, fellow afflicted!

I've been using my ResMed machine for nearly a year now, and I'm lucky if I manage 3 - 5 hours with my machine every night. I have been diligent about cleaning and wearing my mask (nasal) pillows but I have never woken up with my mask on. Sometimes, I do remember waking up in the middle of the night and take it off, but these are few and far between. I have managed 5 - 6 hours out of the recommended 7, but I'd like to make this more consistent. 

My doctor hasn't checked in with me since I purchased my machine, so I'm kinda on my own here. 

I'm a 26 year old male. Humidity is at 7 currently. Idk my pressure or how to find/change it. 

Thank you so much!


RE: Subconscious Mask Removal - PaulaO2 - 09-22-2017

Taking off the mask is common. There's a few things you can do.

Attach the hose in some way so that when you do take it off, it stays near your head. The idea is for the sound of the air (or the sensation of it hitting you) will wake you. Make the attachment kinda complicated to undo so that you don't undo it in your sleep but wake yourself up.

Wear the mask with the machine on while sitting in the living room reading or watching TV. This gets you used to the feel of the air and all that. The more you do this, the more your subconscious at night will accept it.

Which machine do you have? Which of the Airsense? Look near the on button.

Do you have SleepyHead installed? If you have a data capable machine, consider installing it and using it to view your data. Also, with it, you can "turn off" those sessions where you wore it awake during the day. You can find SleepyHead info by using the link at the top of every page.


RE: Subconscious Mask Removal - SarcasticDave94 - 09-22-2017

This sounds familiar. I'm just recently ceasing to doing this. I've been on and off CPAP since 3/2015. In part, CPAP and BiPAP were just not right or good for me. I'm about one month in on my ASV as I've got Mixed apnea not just OSA. BTW mixed is obstructive and central apneas. Nonetheless, I formed a bad habit of taking mask off while in and out of sleeping, especially on the BiPAP.

My sincere advice is this:
1. don't quit
2. do your level best to put your mask on EVERY night, include filling the humidifier, and turning machine on here too
3 allow yourself leeway to do YOUR best even if you miss your "goal", not someone else's best but yours BTW
4. don't judge self too harsh if you can't get 8 hours in consistently, just see #1 again, NEVER EVER QUIT.
I know this is obvious, but if you quit, you cannot win. There's a rumor that this Apnea Board likes winners, so win. OK.

Coffee Coffee Coffee

Dave B.

PS PaulaO2 has great advice as well. Similar info passed on to me and others just like you. Sorry but this is one subject you're not rare or unique in...


RE: Subconscious Mask Removal - trish6hundred - 09-23-2017

Hi SaucyRossi,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
What Paula said.
Good luck with CPAP therapy.


RE: Subconscious Mask Removal - Mosquitobait - 09-24-2017

I finally figured out that the reason I was taking my mask off at night was because the pillow on one side of the 'pillows' was collapsing and I couldn't breathe. I am replacing my nasal pillows more often and that problem has stopped. I think it's a nose architecture thing. I have boiled my pillows and reused, but after about 3 weeks, back to the same thing. So, I now know I get 3 weeks, then boil, then another 3 weeks and throw. The problem was more frequent with the P10, but still happens with the Swift. I am a side sleeper and maybe this problem will stop when I replace my mattress next Spring.