CPAP help

[sorchar]

Hi, all. I've had a CPAP for about 5 years now, but I stopped using it for a long time. I'm trying to get back into the habit of using it every night, but it's very rare I can keep it on all night - most of the time I end up either taking it off in my sleep, or not putting it back on after I've gotten up to go to the bathroom.

The mask isn't the problem - I like it just fine, as far as having something plastic strapped to your face all night goes.

Has anyone else managed to overcome this problem? I'd really like to solve it - I feel much better when I've managed to keep it on all night, and a coworker of mine recently had a friend die in his sleep at age 30 from a heart attack brought on by his apnea, so needless to say I'm motivated.

Comments

[blueraccoon]

Is it possible the pressure needs to be adjusted? Maybe your body realizes it's not getting the right airflow which is why you're taking off the mask in your sleep. I used to get up sometimes and not put mine back on, too, but I never took it off in my sleep. :(

[sorchar]

I think it adjusts automatically. I know it starts out low and ramps up, theoretically so it will be quieter while I'm trying to fall asleep. I lost the manual, though, so I'm not sure.

[blueraccoon]

*puts on I Know Just Enough To Be Dangerous hat*

So the way these things work, as I understand it, is that the tech or the doctor giving you the machine will set it to the proper pressure. THe machine will then ramp up to that pressure over a period of time - my BiPAP does it over 20 min, my last CPAP did like five minutes but I had a low pressure set.

What I'm wondering--and I could be completely wrong here--is if the pressure set when you got the machine needs to be changed? So it'll ramp up to a different pressure. It's just a thought though, and as I said, I could be completely off.

The reason I'm suggesting this is because a few months after I got my CPAP I lost a lot of weight and ended up getting rid of my apnea for a time, and I knew it wasn't working when I'd forget to put it on or take it off when I woke up at night, etc.

[sorchar]

Hm. I had it looked at a few months ago, but it might be worth another check. I did lose some weight, though not a whole lot.

[firecat]

If you can, consider getting a new sleep study; your pressure needs might have changed. Do you use a humidifier with your CPAP?

[sorchar]

No. I've heard those are nice, but I've never tried them.

[firecat]

Unhumidified air from the CPAP can be dry and irritating, which might be contributing to your taking the mask off.