Yes, I was using my mask/machine when the apnea took place. It's a long story, but for now I'm using an APAP (as opposed to a CPAP, because my Sleep Dr. needs a full 30days of me using this to determine what exactly is going on--I did a Sleep Study which was a waste of time and money, inconclusive).

I have had to change masks. The first mask I tried was a "full" face mask, like this: http://www.healthcare.philips.com/ma...l2/default.wpd Soon I would wake up in the middle of the night with air blow out of my mask, causing fart noises (best way to explain it). Nothing I did would stop it/tried adjusting the straps.....sometimes the air came out of one side, sometimes both sides. The pressure was intense because I was having an apnea episode, hence the machine cranking up the air. The mask should have been containing the pressure/air but it just wasn't right for me.

I called the pharmacy and they said to bring it in and they'd try another one. I now use one like this: http://www.healthcare.philips.com/ma...ue/default.wpd (I say like cause I'm not sure what brand the masks I've used are.)

With the new mask (which only goes over my nose, not nose and mouth) I sleep much more soundly--I don't wake up in the night with the leaks, plus it's less cumbersome. I'm a nose breather, so it works for me. The mask that didn't work for me may work for someone else.

If you've tried adjusting the straps so the mask fits tighter and it's still happening, it's very possible the culprit is the mask. I've read that some people have to go through many masks to find the right one. I'm pretty happy with this one so far.

I hope that helps! As far as the apnea episode, my dr told me that if I indeed have Sleep Apnea (which we're both 90% certain of), it can take a long time to get the cumulative effects of using a machine. Before I started using this one (the APAP), he told me, "If you feel no difference after 2 weeks, stop it.. However I've had patients tell me they don't know a difference the first few days, then when they don't use it they can tell in retrospect it was working." I have had that exact experience. I'd not been using my machine long when one day I was worn out and didn't feel like putting on the mask, so I fell asleep. I woke up 4 hours later feeling like a Mach truck hit me; it was AWful. I've since learned my lesson.

Good luck, I hope you get your situation resolved!

P.S.--Gives me hope that you've lost weight. I have lost a little, but it's hard with all the meds I'm on. I'm hoping once I get my sleep right that a lot of this fluid retention will finally be released by my body.