Sleep Apnea Support Group

Sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder characterized by brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. People with sleep apnea partially awaken as they struggle to breathe, but in the morning they may not be aware of sleep disturbances.

984 Members

1,450 Posts

0 Online

gabpaul 10/20/2014

Hi all,

So I can't keep my nasal mask with chin straps on. I put all sorts of safety pins every and I wake up in the morning and it is across the bedroom floor. I never remember taking it off! I might try my full facemask again.

Also, I can't find distilled water. I know that sounds strange, but I live in downtown DC with no car. The only places I can walk to to get distilled water are CVS and our Safeway grocery store. They are both almost always out of the water.

I'll email my sleep neurologist for advice.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Gab

Tez62 10/20/2014

Gab, keeping the mask on is difficult, I would try the FFM and see how that goes. With the water, you can use boiled water and let it cool or depending on the type of water you have some people use tap water and tip it out each night and start fresh. Hope this helps

gabpaul 10/21/2014

This does! Thanks!

Gab

keeska 10/21/2014

Sorry you're having trouble with your mask. I had to make an elastic headband that also uses velcro to keep it in place. After some trial and error, I finally got it right.

Distilled water is used because it is free of minerals that would build up on the inside of the tank. Try calling the store and ordering a gallon or two.

Fingers crossed for you.

gabpaul 10/22/2014

Thanks so much! I tried the full mask last night, but one of the soft parts that touches the face was coming off, so I finally took it off in the AM.

Gabrielle

deleted_user 10/24/2014

Hi, Gabrielle.

I wonder if something like this would work for you: http://smile.amazon.com/smartwater-Count-16-9-Fl-Each/dp/B00HZYFK72/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414152211&sr=8-1&keywords=distilled+water.

It's even an item that can be put into "Amazon pantry," and would be on auto-renew in whatever frequency would work best for you.

I just had my first experience with a CPAP last night for titration. Once I get my own system, this may be exactly what I end up doing so I don't have to be concerned about running out.

Lamb

gabpaul 10/24/2014

Thank you! That will help.

Gabrielle

harry3333 10/25/2014

I have been using a CPAP since 1995 and have never used a humidifier, if you nose breathe, the nostrils humidify the air

gabpaul 10/27/2014

Interesting, Harry. When I emailed the sleep neurologist, he said try using the full facemask but did not mention anything about the distilled water, which I did mention in my email.

So you use the mask a no water?

Thanks!

Gabrielle

Tez62 10/28/2014

Gabrielle, the humidifer is mainly a comfort feature, you can use it or not. Some people like it and some people don't.

gabpaul 10/31/2014

Interesting! I did not know that.

Gabrielle

harry3333 11/30/2014

humidifiers have been oversold, IMO, as mentioned with any nose only mask you need to keep mouth shut or mouth breathing will result with loss of all CPAP benefits
removing mask is common with new users, tape mask to face so the pain will partly wake you and remind you to leave it on.
if you have trouble in getting off to sleep,stop ramp feature a nd take deep slow breaths
demineralised water can be used instead of distilled water

gabpaul 12/01/2014

Thank you! I have stopped using the distilled water. Now I am just trying to keep it on!

Gabrielle

harry3333 01/16/2015

it may help to tape the mask to face so the pain will wake you if you are removing the mask when partly asleep
this problem is common with new users, the humidifier is a fashion item if a nose only mask is used, but is needed for a full face type mask, IMO

gabpaul 01/21/2015

Thanks for the advice! Gabrielle

Join the Conversation