I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea and started using a CPAP in the last week.  I've noticed after 1 or 2 hours, I am throwing off the mask in the middle of the night.  My stats say I've used it 15 hours for 5 days.  I don't think I've woken up with the mask on. I'm using the standard Resmed Espace II CPAP on level 7 with just the nasal mask (not the full mask or the pillows) and have an AHI of 18 w/ 83% oxygen level.

I'm not sure if this is because the head piece is tight/uncomfortable, I am not using the humidifier high enough or I am mouth breather and it seems it is harder to breathe through the night?  Or maybe I will get use it?

I have small sinuses and enlarged adadanoids, as well as large tonsils and the doctor recommended I get surgery for this- any recommendations there?

I've also tried the device in combination with something like a chin strap mysnoringsolution dot com

Any advice of how to remedy my issue and not through off the mask?

I assume you aren't realizing you are doing this? I've only done that one time and I'm still baffled by it. The only difference with that night is that was the only night that I did not use the ramp button. Since then I've used the ramp feature and haven't had a problem since.

Perhaps you can try to adjust to your mask by wearing it with the pressure on while you are awake (while reading a book or watching tv).

Also, you can try loosening headgear strap. See the sticky for how to properly fit a mask in this category (label is red). http://www.apneasupport.org/viewtopic.php?t=13117

Other people on here have taped their straps on, but I'll let others explain that.


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Mask: Opus Nasal Pillow
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

tk7 wrote:

have an AHI of 18 w/ 83% oxygen level

Was this what you had during your initial sleep study?  It's not clear from your post.


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Marie
Newbie with Severe OSA
ResMed S8 Elite II CPAP with EPR and H4i humidifier
ResMed Mirage Quattro full face mask
Contec CMS 50-E Pulse Oximeter

have an AHI of 18 w/ 83% oxygen level.. this was my initial sleep test, but my on my CPAP titration level goes down to 0 apneas.

Yes I'm throwing the mask off unconsciously.

My concern about lowering the tightness is that i notice if i sleep on my side the mask can have a leak pretty easily

I can understand the fear of the mask leaking, but you will never know until you try. You don't have to loosen it massively. Try just a little bit. Did you look at the mask fitting instructions (that link in my previous post)?


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Mask: Opus Nasal Pillow
CPAP: F&P Sleep Series 234

Just give it time.  I've had my pap over two years and there are still days were I wake up without it being on, and don't remember taking it off.  Just stick with it.  Anytime on the PAP is better than no time.  As you get used to it, you'll notice you do it less.

I have recently started using the mask about 1 week ago - my perscription is 7 so I am comfortable with that. However, I did not like the nasal pillow in my nose and started using the mask. I am getting used to it but wake up with a big dent on my nose - I already have a bumpy nose so it kind of looks funnny but I am not giving up my mask. I woke up once or twice during the night like I did pre-mask.

Most of the time I breath through my mouth.  I have three masks.  One that covers just the nose and a full face, and a nasal with a mouth piece.  The majority of the time I use the full face mask.  This way I don't have to worry if I open my mouth and lose all the air pressure and it also wakes me up.  I agree someone could invent a perfect strap that would make a lot of folks happy.  I also use my ramp.  I am only on a setting of ten, but the ramp adapts me to a slower pace and by the time it is up to ten I am usually asleep.  Also when I first started to use c-pap I had to use an over the counter sleep aid to help me relax.  It took awhile, but now I am barely aware of it.  

Best of luck !


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REMstarplus, M Series with C-flex and heated humidification
C- Pap setting of 10
ResMed Mirage Quatro full face Mask
Sleep study showed 36 events per hour
Location, Nebraska