Need Help with Keeping Mask On

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Permalink Reply by Kath Hope on March 19, 2013 at 17:53

Hi Nancy and welcome.   It's good to hear that you're determined to comply with your treatment, and am sure once you've achieved this it will have a positive effect on your other health problems.  I've actually been speaking with a few people over the past couple of days over in one of the Facebook Groups about the issue of removing the mask.  Most times it is just whilst your body is getting used to wearing the foreign object on your face, but sometimes it's to do with mask comfort and congestion issues.  Is the machine set so that it alarms when the mask is off to wake you up?

Have you got your hose elevated?  This also helps (as well as with any 'rainout' issues) with lifting the full pressure of the mask from your face.  The best thing I ever bought for CPAP was the Hose Lift which we sell on our UK website, but you'll be able to get them quicker from the US.

It's important to get your nasal congestion as clear as you can.  A lot of people benefit from these additional Bacterial Filters - again, you should be able to get them over there.  Only today I had a customer on the telephone telling me that she always knows when she needs to replace hers, as her nasal congestion comes back.

Also, take a look at Dr Park's free e-book on the importance of getting your nasal airways clear, and he gives recommendations on what may work best for the different problems http://doctorstevenpark.com/unstuff-your-stuffy-nose

Hope some of this helps, and others may have some ideas for you.

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Permalink Reply by Terry Vella on March 19, 2013 at 22:08

Welcome Nancy, I agree with everything Kath says, it takes everyone different time to adjust to having something on our faces all night, you seem to be doing everything right. I have been on CPAP for nearly two years now and still sometimes take it off during the night, I isually find summer the worst time for me, I'm lucky I live in Australia and we are now coming into Autumn, this summer was very hot and difficult for me. You shouldn't feel guity about taking it off and you can see you are getting the benefits when you have it on. The mask liners really help and I always suggest having the hose come from above your head, there all little tips that make it more comfortable. If you want you can make mask liners yourself which are a lot cheaper with little effort, I can give you the instructions if you want. Anyway stick with it and have a good sleep. 

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