Taking mask off at night while sleeping doctor perscribed Nuvigil

[nap80]

So I have had a Cpap for 4 years and every night without fail I take off the mask while sleeping and don't find out until I wake up in the morning. This has caused me to still have to take naps and if I don't I ten to fall asleep in classes. I went to my sleep specialist and they prescribed Nuvigil for me to take to promote wakefulness. Has anyone else used this medication before? How long do I need to keep an eye out for symptoms? Does your body build up an immunity to it quickly?

This post is in no way promoting the sale of Nuvigil just a student kind of scared and frustrated.

[Rob S]

i know nothing about that medication but i would try finding out why you're taking the mask off. most insurance allow for a new machine every 5 years, when you can, get a fully data capable machine and use the sleepyhead software to help figure out whats going on. until then i'm not sure what i would do, but i'm sure someone else will chime in with some better advice.

[OpalRose]

So I have had a Cpap for 4 years and every night without fail I take off the mask while sleeping and don't find out until I wake up in the morning. This has caused me to still have to take naps and if I don't I ten to fall asleep in classes. I went to my sleep specialist and they prescribed Nuvigil for me to take to promote wakefulness. Has anyone else used this medication before? How long do I need to keep an eye out for symptoms? Does your body build up an immunity to it quickly?

This post is in no way promoting the sale of Nuvigil just a student kind of scared and frustrated.

Welcome to the forum, nap80

4 years is a long time to be fighting with a mask every night. Mabye your sleep doctor should have suggested a different mask. There are a lot of masks out there. Have you tried a nasal pillow mask?

How is your therapy? What is your AHI reading?

I understand, a lot of folk here have reported pulling off their mask at night, but what that tells me is that something isn't comfortable enough, either your mask is ill fitting, or pressure is not optimal for you.

I would look at all aspects of your therapy before taking a drug that may cause you
more problems.

[trish6hundred]

Hi nap80,
WELCOME! to the forum.!
Is your mask uncomfortable for you? There are so many of them out there, don't be shy about asking to try a different one if it isn't comfortable.
Hang in there for more suggestions and answers to your questions and much success to you as you continue your CPAP therapy.
I don't know a lot about the medication you mentioned, I have heard there are some unplesant side affects to it, though, good luck to you.

[DariaVader]

Welcome to the forum, nap80

4 years is a long time to be fighting with a mask every night. Mabye your sleep doctor should have suggested a different mask. There are a lot of masks out there. Have you tried a nasal pillow mask?

How is your therapy? What is your AHI reading?

I understand, a lot of folk here have reported pulling off their mask at night, but what that tells me is that something isn't comfortable enough, either your mask is ill fitting, or pressure is not optimal for you.

I would look at all aspects of your therapy before taking a drug that may cause you
more problems.

what she said!

[woozie38]

I went to my sleep specialist and they prescribed Nuvigil for me to take to promote wakefulness. Has anyone else used this medication before? How long do I need to keep an eye out for symptoms? Does your body build up an immunity to it quickly?

Hi Nap80,
I agree with what has been said previously. Definitely your best course is to find the reason you remove your mask & that could be any or all of the possibilities suggested. However to answer your question about Provigil. You haven't given your location, so I'll assume your are in the US. If this is true, then the cost of the med is so prohibitive it would be difficult (unless you own oil wells) to afford. it's something like $13-$14 per tablet. That said the med has some benefits. I've been taking it on a trial basis for just over three weeks & find that whilst it doesn't give you any extra powers, it does prevent mico sleeps. Can't notice any other benefit other than it allows one to better focus on the task at hand & it does keep you awake.
There is an affliction called "Narcolepsy" for which "Modafinil" (the same med.) is prescribed. In AU if diagnosed with Narcolepsy, one has to hand in their drivers license. The med is not on the PBS so I import my requirements at about 70c per tab. There appears to be no perceivable tolerance (getting used to it), but too high dosage has produced some side effects in some patients. PM me if you would like any details.

[Ghost1958]

My wife nor I can tolerate a pressure as low as yours without feeling smothered. You might try bumping up to 9.5

[TurdFerguson8675]

Do CPAP machines exist that will alarm when a mask is not being worn for a specified period of time?


(Haven't found one yet, affording it is another matter.
Headline: "Masked man robs bank to afford CPAP machine --- but wears CPAP mask!"
---- which country? do you really have to ask??)



I bet I should clarify to avoid getting irrelevant answers or questions:


I go to bed alone, put mask on, wake in morning with mask off, and exhausted, machine displaying insufficient hours of operation
(meaning 1-2hrs but lets not quibble on that #, please, use
whatever # is too low for you).

[nap80]

Hey TurdFerguson8675
         My CPAP does have an alarm on it if it doesn't feel any pressure on it after about a minute unfortunately since I am usually dead asleep when I take mine off the alarm never wakes me up. Also I have roommates and so I ended up having to turn my alarm off so it doesn't wake them up.

Nap80

[Honolulu Steve]

I have a tendency to take off my nasal pillows. I have been wearing my CMS 50F pulse ox with alarm set to go off if I desaturate below 85%. The alarm is usually loud enough to wake me if I desaturate when I take off my mask.