IF you have sleep apnea and can't keep a mask on

I was told this will also stop you from loosing weight. They said your body is not get what it needs. I have gained 9 ibs and not eaten anything bad. I don't get it. I am afraid if something don't change that they will stop me from getting the surgery. I am pulling my mask off at night. Please help i need info. thanks

I have apnea too. i was diagnosed during my pre op tests (i have pics in my profile). I cant keep the mask on too...i keep feeling like im going to choke and take it off. so far ive been wearing it enoguh that my numbers are still alright but my cpap equiptment provider keeps telling me i need to let it stay on. I feel your pain Let me know if you figure out how to keep it on

 

What kind of mask do you use? What sleep position? Do you pull it off in your sleep? Or do you wake up feeling trapped?

I've been using my CPAP every time I sleep, even to nap, for the last 11 years. I used to wear it sporadically at first when I lived by myself back East. At that time I only weighed 330 or so and was very active. Then I moved west. After I arrived, the sweetie who is now my DH insisted I wear it all the time. Having someone else boss me into it helped! It was very easy to fight it without someone to hold me accountable. While I'm not happy about the extra 100 lbs I have put on since being here, I am glad about getting acclimated to my cpap.

Technology has marched on since I got my 1st mask. They now have nasal pillows - have you asked about those? Many people who find the fuller face masks restrictive use these, but I have not tried them. I wear the full fighter pilot model (reference from the Soprano's when Tony was teasing Uncle Jun about his CPAP mask).

There are many options to try - don't give up without finding one that works for you. Even if you don't need the CPAP forever, learn to use it now to give yourself yet another tool.

What position do you sleep in? I find that when I sleep on my side, the mask annoys me more. I'm getting a recliner soon - tomorrow I hope - and want to try sleeping there, as lately I have been sleeping better when I don't roll over on my face, which I can tend to do if on my side.

The worst for me was they told me to wear a chin strap as well. That I just couldn't do.

Do you use the Ramp setting? Some people prefer it, but I'm now at the point that it does not give me enough air on Ramp - I need to start up at full pressure. I'm on variable pressure (auto adjust), goes from 8-16, depending on what my breathing signals back to the computer in the CPAP. I had NOTHING this fancy at first. Now all I do is take my memory card into my Dr. Appts. 

Let me know how it goes for you.

 

I have the nasal pillow mask...i use the ramp setting and most of the time i wake up feeling like im gonna choke then i take it ouff i usually dont take it off in my sleep...although ive done that a couple times. I sleep much better without the mask...i dont know.... i guess i need to talk to my provider so they can adjust my setting or something. oh and another thing...now thats its getting cold...their hair fees so cold in my nose and yea i do have a humidifier. i guess its the room temp

My new CPAP heats the water, so the resulting humidifies air is warm & moist. I can vary the amt of humidity and have found that in a cold room, I was having so much condensation that my upper lip was wet. The tech told me to either keep the room warmer or crank back the humidity for the winter.

I got a new mask, I had one that covered my nose and then a strap to keep my mouth shut. Oh, there is a joke there.LOL But my mouth gets soooooo dry. I have a humidifier and the mask goes over my mouth and then two things go in my nose. I sleep in a recliner and have for at least 4 years now. I weight 372-377 it varies. I can't seem to get it to move and I exercise, I even went horseback riding for the first time in 5 years. Please no one flame me. people say I am to big to ride, but that is not true, it is a job to get into the saddle with a truck and alot of help, but it was worth it. I didn't ride along way and the horse did fine. The guys horse that I used I told him what I weight, well close. He said he has the perfect horse. This guy was awesome, he gets down on his knees in public and prays, he is a horse trainer he has done the rodeo, he just picked a big horse for me. No this isn't a man that i am interested in he is married. He is a leader in the group Cowboys for Christ and this group help make a prayer come true to get back into the saddle. Now I am praying to get the surgery. Thanks for all of the help, I will keep trying. Do you think that it will stop me from losing weight they said i stop breathing ever two minutes.

I find that when I wake up feeling like I'm going to choke its usually because I was trying to swallow in my sleep and there is air in my throat/my ears pop - I take it off for a few minutes and take deep breaths then I put it back on.  I usually pull it off during the night also - I'm lucky to make 4 hours with it some nights, and I average about 5 hours with it.  The reason I pull it off is fit, its too large for my face (and its the smallest one of that model) so it makes me upper lip go numb.  The other masks I tried were all uncomfortable to me, as were the nasal pillows, so I just deal with it as best I can.  I'm sure there is a "perfect mask" out there somewhere for me, but I haven't found it and I've stopped looking.  I'm hoping I can get rid of the cpap all together at some point. 

Im gonna try to wear the mask tonight. if i get the choking sensation ill take it off wait and put it back and see if that goes over well

 

I do have a heated humidifier...but i think the coldness is beacue my room is cold.

Getting used to a CPAP mask is really hard.  Ive been using a CPAP for almost 20 yrs now. Over the years, the masks have improved, believe it or not. I use a nasal mask now. Its like prongs that fit into your nostrils. Nothing covers my nose and squashes my eyes now. I also dont get claustrophic with it like i did with the nasal mask. My advice, look around at all the masks...try them out. In my area, the medical supply offices will let me take them home and try them for a few days..and if I dont like one, I take it back and try another. Maybe u can try that. You just cant tell by looking at one whether or not it will work. Also....if you are diagnosed with sleep apnea...and are given a CPAP..please use it. Thats what its there for. Your brain will thank you..

They got me a new mask and this one is like you described, but also covered me mouth. I am trying to use it. I have had it for over a year and it has been hard. Can you really tell the diference and do you have more energy now. I am waiting on insurance approval still. Please tell me the difference that you feel. Alot of times I fall asleep in the chair without it and when I wake up it is scarry how i feel.