Overdoing waking CPAP

[archangle]

I will often put on my CPAP when I'm sitting in the recliner watching TV and working on the computer, in case I drift off to sleep. I've found I end up continuing to use the CPAP for hours and hours while I'm still awake.

Can anyone think of any disadvantages to doing this?

I can think of more hours/wear and tear on the machine. It also makes it a little harder to analyze my data, but my AHI is good, even when awake.

What other disadvantages might there be to this.

[chunkyfrog]

--making it difficult to snack?
(for many of us more of a plus)

[StuUnderPressure]

I can think of more hours/wear and tear on the machine. It also makes it a little harder to analyze my data

I think you have already listed the disadvantages yourself.

In my own case, I think that wearing the mask for "hours" in anticipation of falling asleep is in itself a deterrent to falling asleep.

I take everything off just to go to the bathroom.
I can't imagine wearing my mask & chinstrap for that long while awake.

[kaiasgram]

I vote for Froggie's response.

Arch you probably have the number one disadvantage already identified as putting more mileage on the machine (and the mask). The only other thing I can think of, which is likely not relevant in your case (or you'd already know it), is for those whose skin is sensitive, there could be more irritation from the extra time wearing the mask.

[Kate M]

I will often put on my CPAP when I'm sitting in the recliner watching TV and working on the computer, in case I drift off to sleep. I've found I end up continuing to use the CPAP for hours and hours while I'm still awake.

Can anyone think of any disadvantages to doing this?

For me, I think it wold be a sleep hygiene issue. I can't watch tv, read or exercise in the bedroom. Putting the CPAP mask on is, for me, a signal that it is time to go to sleep now. I'm afraid if I wore it while awake, I would lose that connection and find it harder to fall asleep with the mask on. I do not nap much any more and when I do, I do it in bed now, with mask on. I try not to fall asleep in my recliner. Also, my pressure is too low to wear comfortably while awake!

[Sir NoddinOff]

After waking up from my real sleep of the night, I sometime doze or sleep lightly for an hour with my machine running. It raises my overall AHI a little bit but I'm willing to live with it.

[archangle]

Yes, my sleep hygiene is bad. I'll have to think about whether it's really going to be worse with mask on than with mask off. Sleeping in the recliner where the TV and computer are is also bad hygiene, but I sleep so much better there than in the bed that I'm probably better off.

I guess if I really wanted to go for good sleep hygiene, I should turn off the computer and TV before I mask up and not do computer or TV if I'm too sleepy to stay awake.

Since I switched to the Swift FX, I'm so much more comfortable that I don't feel as much urge to take it off. I can take my glasses off, clean them, sip water, etc. I will sometimes just disconnect the hose from the mask instead of unmasking when I need to get up and do something.

[kaiasgram]

Arch et al., do you know about F.lux for those of us that use our computers, iPads, etc. in the evening?

[MagsterMile]

Is there any other reason why you have the mask on in addition to it helping you with naps? The reason I ask is perhaps that you feel you stop breathing normally during the day sometimes and the mask will remind you to continue breathing.

[archangle]

Is there any other reason why you have the mask on in addition to it helping you with naps? The reason I ask is perhaps that you feel you stop breathing normally during the day sometimes and the mask will remind you to continue breathing.

No, just in case I fall asleep. I usually sleep with the TV on. I'll often decide to sleep, and if I don't fall asleep, I'll decide to check "just one thing" on the computer and not unmask. I have also sort of gotten in the habit of masking up even if I don't plan to go to sleep immediately.

I guess I should only mask up when I plan to sleep or if I'm so sleepy I might fall asleep without knowing it.

[archangle]

Arch et al., do you know about F.lux for those of us that use our computers, iPads, etc. in the evening?

I'm not sure what you mean by "F.lux." Are you talking about the effect of light on your sleep?

[kaiasgram]

Arch et al., do you know about F.lux for those of us that use our computers, iPads, etc. in the evening?

I'm not sure what you mean by "F.lux." Are you talking about the effect of light on your sleep?

f.lux is a little program that filters out blue light from your computer monitor in the evenings. I decided to try it a few months ago and it only took a few days to get used to it. It runs seamlessly on my Mac, and it looks like there's a Windows version as well: http://stereopsis.com/flux/

[LSAT]

I will often put on my CPAP when I'm sitting in the recliner watching TV and working on the computer, in case I drift off to sleep. I've found I end up continuing to use the CPAP for hours and hours while I'm still awake.

Can anyone think of any disadvantages to doing this?

For me, I think it wold be a sleep hygiene issue. I can't watch tv, read or exercise in the bedroom. Putting the CPAP mask on is, for me, a signal that it is time to go to sleep now. I'm afraid if I wore it while awake, I would lose that connection and find it harder to fall asleep with the mask on. I do not nap much any more and when I do, I do it in bed now, with mask on. I try not to fall asleep in my recliner. Also, my pressure is too low to wear comfortably while awake!

I'm with Kate on this issue. When I put on my mask, it's time for sleep.