how do you get up to pee with a cpap mask on?

Question

I'm a lucky guy who just got a CPAP machine today. The mask says "Respironics" and goes over the nose with various and sundry straps around the back of the head. These straps attach to the nose part with velcro. My question is how you take the @#%$%$ thing off when you need to get up to pee at night? The apparent answer must be that you have to pull one or more of the mask velcro straps loose, making a lot of noise and waking your spouse up. But that would be a real pain because it is a bit hard (at least for someone new to this form of torture) to adjust the strap again later (in the dark). Also, whatever you do, if you don't actually turn the machine off when you remove the mask or one of the tubes, it starts to sound like a tornado is about to hit your house. So I'm thinking I need to 1) turn the machine off, 2) pull the velcro to remove the mask and wake up my wife, 3) go pee, 4) spend the rest of the !#$#$@#! night awake because I cannot get the thing back on right in the dark. Right? I'm just too happy right now.

Update:

Or, I could leave the mask on, unplug the electrical cord and carry the whole unit to the bathroom with me. With a little luck, I could stick my finger in the socket when I plug it back in.

john · Accepted Answer

I suggest you go to CPAPTALK.COM for support group and user input.

Mine is to detache the hose at the mask and shove it under  your pillow. Leave the mask on, going to the bathroom.

I think that as you get use to the mask and sleep better; you fill find that bathroom breaks will become less frequent.

Anonymous · Answer

I have helped many patients with theirs and my own mom used one, so I agree they are a huge pain i the ***, but what choice do you really have?  Sucks, I know.
One thing you might try is to contact the manufacturer and see if you can get a longer hose for the machine.  Depending on how far you are from the bathroom, you may have to just go the hard way.  That would be to turn on the bedside light when you're up and adjust the thing when you get back to bed.  I would think the more you do it, the easier it will become.  If you were my husband, I would get over it really quick since that's what is keeping you alive and still by my side.
Your other choice might be to get a small mens' urinal bottle and use that at night.  My dad used when he had his hip replacement surgery so that he wouldn't have to get up at night.
I'm sorry you have to use this thing, but best of luck to you.

Lilly · Answer

The short answer is, you don't. You have to find a hairstyle or hairstyles that work with you and your health condition. I know I'm not a woman, but as a CPAP user and supporter, I have many female friends who initially had the same delima. They all soon realized that not dying is way more important than a hair-do.

Anonymous · Answer

not being funny but do you have an old bucket? that would save a lot of trouble! or don't drink late at night before bed. You can get a urinal bottle from the chemist. i know its not great but hey at least it will be less trouble

Take A Test! · Answer

Sounds to me like a lot less of a hassle than DYING FROM SLEEP APNEA. Glass half-full much?

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how do you get up to pee with a cpap mask on?

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