Thread: Waking up and not getting back to sleep

Hi,
I struggled with mask leaks for some time (under nose type). It would give me dry mouth and cause me to wake up. My problem was that I was over-tightening the mask straps to try and seal the leaks. I took the advice that this tightening was only making the leak worse and sure enough slackening off the mask had an immediate effect. I've found that I can get away with the mask practically falling off and still get a good fit.
Try experimenting with the mask straps - Hope this helps.

Are you overweight or obese? Ultimately the best treatment is usually weight loss.

Ah Geoff, your situation is nearly like mine. I have the mask and air pump for more than 20 years and still wake up tired. I have a Fishcer Paykel pump and a mask that only covers my nose. I take anti depressants meds that do have a sedating effect. Thankfully I seldom have to go to the toilet during sleep time. I breath through my mouth normally and that gives me a dry mouth but I don't need a night time drink with the mask on. My sinuses are restricted and have been for ever

I have noticed that anxiety episodes are becoming more frequent and may take days to get back to normal. I don't have any tips for you to help but I am a sufferer. We have a sleep clinic in town and currently they are booked till September. So that line of enquiry won't help at the moment.

I had the same problem - found that "leaks" very easily woke me up and I would often tend to take the mask off once woken up, and then only get very erratic sleep without the mask. The fact that I have a pretty heavy beard doesn't make it any easier.
I have found that "nasal pillow" style masks work best for me, and have tried a couple of different versions of this design. The best one I have found is the Resmed Swift FX - ResMed Swift FX Nasal Pillow Kit - Easy CPAP and as Pat has said above, don't overtighten the straps.
I am also experimenting with the new Philips Dreamwear Nasal mask, which has a larger opening that sits below your nose rather than the "pillows" that sit inside your nostril openings. This is much more comfortable and is easier to breathe through, but getting used to having the air supply hose connected to the mask at the top of your head rather than directly to the mask is not as easy as I thought it would be.DreamWear Sleep Apnoea Mask | Philips

I recently tried the "Sleepweaver" soft cloth nasal mask SleepWeaver Elan Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP Mask Starter Pack (Sml, Med, Lrg) with Headgear (Free Featherweight CPAP Tubing included), but in my experience they are crap. Virtually impossible to get them to fit correctly and they leak out of the top of the mask blowing air directly into your eyes. I got their "starter pack" with 3 different size masks, and I couldn't get any of the 3 sizes to work properly for me.
I am not fussy about the actual CPAP machines - have a new Philips which I was recently sent as a replacement for my old Philips as part of their re-call, plus a Chinese BMC machine that I bought while waiting for the new Philips to arrive - both are good machines. Also have a small portable unit with battery pack that I got for travelling / camping / fishing trips, but find it difficult to get a good night's sleep with that one as it is constant pressure and does not "back off" when you exhale. I still use it occasionally though, as I can run it off its own battery pack or plug it into the aux battery & inverter on my 4WD.

In my experience, the worst thing you can do is to try to get back to sleep with your mask off / CPAP turned off once you have been wowoken up, whether it is to go to the toilet or because a mask leak has woken you. I have found that if I do this, I get almost no sleep for the rest of the night. I always put the mask back on, even if it has been annoying me. Another trick I discovered when working FIFO in the mining game - Melatonin tablets will help you get off to sleep. You can ask your doctor for a prescription - or I buy them on line much cheaper from the Vitamin Grocer - NATROL -�Melatonin Fast Dissolve Citrus Punch Natural Flavor 10 mg - 100 Tablets – Vitamin Grocer Australia

Hope you find a solution that works for you, as I know how these sleep problems can affect your life.

Originally Posted by garfield

Hi all,

I changed my mask because the one that came with the machine was the one that covers both the nose mouth and chin, I got the Philips brand mask that sits just over the mouth and has 2 nostril holes, that was going ok except I find I am having a lot of leaks through the night and it is waking me up

Geoff, I have the same mask and what happens is the welds break where the soft part of the mask joins the hard part and it can't be seen until you try to separate the joint with your fingers. I went to the Dreamweaver because it is one of the few that has the hose enter at the top instead of the bottom because I made a stand that holds the hose above the bed. The first mask lasted a long time, perhaps 12 months but the subsequent replacements have only laste less than 6 months and the warranty is 3 months. I feel like running a not fit for service case about the whole thing to see what happens.

Originally Posted by pat.hawkins

Hi,
I struggled with mask leaks for some time (under nose type). It would give me dry mouth and cause me to wake up. My problem was that I was over-tightening the mask straps to try and seal the leaks. I took the advice that this tightening was only making the leak worse and sure enough slackening off the mask had an immediate effect. I've found that I can get away with the mask practically falling off and still get a good fit.
Try experimenting with the mask straps - Hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply Pat.

Yeah I wake with a dry mouth all of the time, and like you I am pulling the strap really tight because I thought that would stop it leaking but obviously it hasn't.

Originally Posted by chambezio

Ah Geoff, your situation is nearly like mine. I have the mask and air pump for more than 20 years and still wake up tired. I have a Fishcer Paykel pump and a mask that only covers my nose. I take anti depressants meds that do have a sedating effect. Thankfully I seldom have to go to the toilet during sleep time. I breath through my mouth normally and that gives me a dry mouth but I don't need a night time drink with the mask on. My sinuses are restricted and have been for ever

I have noticed that anxiety episodes are becoming more frequent and may take days to get back to normal. I don't have any tips for you to help but I am a sufferer. We have a sleep clinic in town and currently they are booked till September. So that line of enquiry won't help at the moment.

Thanks for the reply chambezio
I was going OK with my machine it just seems to be of late and I'm wondering if it is more anxiety for myself too. I am finding myself constantly worrying and thinking about what the future holds and my mind is always racing, always thinking not stop whether it be good or bad. I believe I am suffering from depression also but I just don't know exactly if I am for sure if I am why? I personally am not real keen on taking any drugs for this as I don't want to depend on them but I am getting so frustrated with lack of sleep I don't know how much longer I can cope with it.

Originally Posted by BMKal

I had the same problem - found that "leaks" very easily woke me up and I would often tend to take the mask off once woken up, and then only get very erratic sleep without the mask. The fact that I have a pretty heavy beard doesn't make it any easier.
I have found that "nasal pillow" style masks work best for me, and have tried a couple of different versions of this design. The best one I have found is the Resmed Swift FX - ResMed Swift FX Nasal Pillow Kit - Easy CPAP and as Pat has said above, don't overtighten the straps.
I am also experimenting with the new Philips Dreamwear Nasal mask, which has a larger opening that sits below your nose rather than the "pillows" that sit inside your nostril openings. This is much more comfortable and is easier to breathe through, but getting used to having the air supply hose connected to the mask at the top of your head rather than directly to the mask is not as easy as I thought it would be.DreamWear Sleep Apnoea Mask | Philips

I recently tried the "Sleepweaver" soft cloth nasal mask SleepWeaver Elan Soft Cloth Nasal CPAP Mask Starter Pack (Sml, Med, Lrg) with Headgear (Free Featherweight CPAP Tubing included), but in my experience they are crap. Virtually impossible to get them to fit correctly and they leak out of the top of the mask blowing air directly into your eyes. I got their "starter pack" with 3 different size masks, and I couldn't get any of the 3 sizes to work properly for me.
I am not fussy about the actual CPAP machines - have a new Philips which I was recently sent as a replacement for my old Philips as part of their re-call, plus a Chinese BMC machine that I bought while waiting for the new Philips to arrive - both are good machines. Also have a small portable unit with battery pack that I got for travelling / camping / fishing trips, but find it difficult to get a good night's sleep with that one as it is constant pressure and does not "back off" when you exhale. I still use it occasionally though, as I can run it off its own battery pack or plug it into the aux battery & inverter on my 4WD.

In my experience, the worst thing you can do is to try to get back to sleep with your mask off / CPAP turned off once you have been wowoken up, whether it is to go to the toilet or because a mask leak has woken you. I have found that if I do this, I get almost no sleep for the rest of the night. I always put the mask back on, even if it has been annoying me. Another trick I discovered when working FIFO in the mining game - Melatonin tablets will help you get off to sleep. You can ask your doctor for a prescription - or I buy them on line much cheaper from the Vitamin Grocer - NATROL -�Melatonin Fast Dissolve Citrus Punch Natural Flavor 10 mg - 100 Tablets – Vitamin Grocer Australia

Hope you find a solution that works for you, as I know how these sleep problems can affect your life.

Thanks for your reply and links BMKal. I have the BMC luna machine, I wasn't aware it was a chinese machine I used to sort of wonder if I made the wrong choice and should have went the Resmed like I was originally going to. The BMC has some good features but I don't really know how to use half of them and I don't check the data that it puts out either but. I feel some days like I haven't slept so not sure if the machine is faulty also, and at times I wake because it is blowing so hard that I cannot even breath properly and I end up taking it off.

This is my machine https://cpaporg.com.au/products/bmc-...RoCIA8QAvD_BwE

And this is the mask I use https://www.mycpap.com.au/products/c...BoCxykQAvD_BwE

It has only been the last sort of 6 months at a guess that I have been waking up with a full bladder even if I watch what I drink a while fore I go to be because I don't want to wake up and have to go to the toilet. It made my ears prick listening to a Dr who said that can be a side effect of sleep apnea because of the heart, and I think well I know I have it but apparently my machine is supposed to fix that? As far back as early last year I said to my wife I don't know if it is even working properly as I was feeling tired and lethargic and couldn't concentrate which was the main reason I got tested in the first place.

Originally Posted by Chris Parks

Geoff, I have the same mask and what happens is the welds break where the soft part of the mask joins the hard part and it can't be seen until you try to separate the joint with your fingers. I went to the Dreamweaver because it is one of the few that has the hose enter at the top instead of the bottom because I made a stand that holds the hose above the bed. The first mask lasted a long time, perhaps 12 months but the subsequent replacements have only laste less than 6 months and the warranty is 3 months. I feel like running a not fit for service case about the whole thing to see what happens.

Thanks for the reply Chris.

Is this the one you are talking about? This is the mask I have https://www.mycpap.com.au/products/c...BoCxykQAvD_BwE

Originally Posted by pippin88

Are you overweight or obese? Ultimately the best treatment is usually weight loss.

Not exactly an athlete, I'm overweight but not obese either. These issues have been more recent than long lasting.

Originally Posted by garfield

Thanks for the reply Chris.

Is this the one you are talking about? This is the mask I have Buy ResMed AirFit F30i | MyCPAP

In your original post you wrote this >I got the Philips brand mask<

The link you posted shows a Resmed mask

This is the Dreamweaver mask I assumed you were referring to and the same mask I use.
Philips DreamWear Full Face Mask – CPAP Victoria

I may have made a mistake then, sorry Chris I thought it was a Philips mask but I know it is the F30i. I believe it looks exactly the same as the one you have posted but.

Originally Posted by garfield

I may have made a mistake then, sorry Chris I thought it was a Philips mask but I know it is the F30i. I believe it looks exactly the same as the one you have posted but.

It sounds like may have the same problem so I would advise you to check it by testing in the manner I described. If it has a joint problem it will look perfectly ok and physically checking it is the only way to check the joint.

Maybe my mask might be starting to fail, maybe the silicon or whatever the soft plastic stuff is might not be as rigid as it once was and is leaking a lot more easily... I know my strap needs replacing as the Velcro doesn't stick as well as it once did

I don't have anything to do with masks, etc, but have had problems sleeping for many years. Melatonin used to work for me when I was younger, not so much now. Instead a pharmacist put me onto Restavit (available over the counter) - there are several other brands of the same thing available like Sleep Right , etc. (Doxylamine Succinate).

I usually only need half a tablet to get a good night's sleep. When I first tried Restavit I followed the instructions on the packet (take 1-2 tablets with water 20 mins before bed).........then slept all that night, most of the next day, and pretty much the next night too A little goes a long way, as they say. I've recommended it to several friends; some get great results, while for some others it doesn't seem to do anything, but it's worth a try for short term/occasional use if you need a good sleep.

Originally Posted by garfield

Thanks for your reply and links BMKal. I have the BMC luna machine, I wasn't aware it was a chinese machine I used to sort of wonder if I made the wrong choice and should have went the Resmed like I was originally going to. The BMC has some good features but I don't really know how to use half of them and I don't check the data that it puts out either but. I feel some days like I haven't slept so not sure if the machine is faulty also, and at times I wake because it is blowing so hard that I cannot even breath properly and I end up taking it off.

This is my machine BMC Luna IQ G2S AutoCPAP Machine - Flagship AutoCPAP

And this is the mask I use Buy ResMed AirFit F30i | MyCPAP

It has only been the last sort of 6 months at a guess that I have been waking up with a full bladder even if I watch what I drink a while fore I go to be because I don't want to wake up and have to go to the toilet. It made my ears prick listening to a Dr who said that can be a side effect of sleep apnea because of the heart, and I think well I know I have it but apparently my machine is supposed to fix that? As far back as early last year I said to my wife I don't know if it is even working properly as I was feeling tired and lethargic and couldn't concentrate which was the main reason I got tested in the first place.

I have the BMC G3 machine, which I think is just a later design of the model you have, with the same features.
BMC Luna G3 Auto CPAP Machine with humidifier - RemSleep
For many years I have had the old original style Philips machine, and only purchased the BMC when Philips recalled their machines because of a fault with the sound deadening lining breaking down in some machines and entering the airway.
I found the BMC to be a much better machine than the old Philips in many ways, and at least equal in all other respects. I have recently been provided with a new replacement "Dreamstation" machine from Philips - the recall and replacement procedure took about 6 months in my case, though my son received his replacement much quicker.
Sleep Apnoea Devices | Philips
I have been using the new Philips since I received it, but am about to put it away and switch back to the BMC. I have found them to be equal in most respects, except for the "auto on/off" feature where the BMC is far superior to the Philips.

You mentioned suffering a dry mouth - do you use the humidifier and heated tube ?
I find that I don't need to use these in the warmer months, but when it gets cooler I get a better night's sleep if I do use them. Without the humidifier in winter, my mouth / nose get very dry.

The only other suggestion I can make is that you try a nasal mask - probably nasal pillows. It takes a while getting used to them and to sleeping with your mouth closed - and they can be a problem if you have a cold etc and get a blocked / runny nose. I usually have a few snorts on one of those Vicks inhaler sticks before I fit my mask to keep my nose clear and that seems to work for me. The big advantage with nasal pillows in particular is the much smaller "seal" required compared with any other type of masks. If you are a restless sleeper like me, then you will still experience leaks occasionally when you change positions in bed, but I have found that I experience far fewer leaks with this style of mask than with any other.