Sleeping on Back w/BiPAP (Central Sleep Apnea)

[Krelvin]

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Are there any other options? I see three possibilities. First, find a way to get used to sleeping on my back. Second, find a way to make it impossible for the mask to slip off, even sleeping on my stomach. Third, find a way of treating my central sleep apnea with a means other than BiPAP. However, from what everyone has told me so far, BiPAP is the only known treatment for central sleep apnea. Every other potential treatment that I've heard of is for obstructive sleep apnea, so that doesn't help me. Regardless, neither my doctor nor I have been able to find a means of utilizing any of the three options, so I'm stuck in limbo right now.

If your equipment listed is correct, you are using the same exact machine and mask I do. I sleep on my stomach 95% of the time with the other 5% on my right side but normally only for a short period of time before I end up back on my stomach. I really never sleep on my back.

I use a buckwheat hull pillow so that I can shape it so I can sleep on my stomach and have the mask hang off the end without touching the pillow (almost at a 45deg angle towards the bed). I actually sleep with my hand (left hand) holding the mask while resting on the mattress. Doing that, basically eliminates the leaks and movement of the mask. If I have a leak, I simply shift the mask with my hand and it is gone. I do this while actually sleeping without actually waking up.

It took me about 2 months after I started CPAP to figure out that I could sleep on my stomach after being told I had to sleep on my back or side. I had slept on my stomach all of my life, wasn't something I could adjust away from. I've been using CPAP now for more than 8yrs, though back then, used a small pillow that I literally crushed to the shape I needed.

I rarely have great numbers (under 1), but more often than not sit somewhere between 2 and 3, but that is more due to my CHF issues and my strange method of dealing with pain, most of which is while I am actually awake... but I get 8+ hours sleep on average and have good results with lots of energy and mental freshness to do my job which is fairly technical.

[SleepDisturbed]

I sleep on my sides about 100% of the time. So it can be done. I use a nasal pillow mask and a hose buddy. I bought a pap pillow but found I don't really need it. FFM are harder to use on side/stomach, but many people do.

Maybe, as cheapest first experiment purchase or make a hose hanger. Or, try a nasal pillow or nasal mask. Both smaller and less likely to be dislodged.

I don't have a simple answer for you. Since we are all different we all have to experiment until we find a combo we can live with.

ETA

Is your machine a VPAP S/T?

[Goofproof]

For years I've been trying to figure out how to stay on my back while sleeping. At one point, I even used a ratchet set and strapped myself to the bed to see if I'd feel better if I'd stay on my back (all night long).

It worked, I definitely felt better. But I wasn't ever going to sleep that way again. I had to come up with another way.

I ordered some foam and started sculpting it to match the resting position of my legs. It's comfortable enough and it's contoured to keep my knees from just rolling out in the middle of the night. It works. Now I want to help others who are looking for a tool to help them sleep on their back.

Please check out my website. It's called: SleepOnBack.

Sleep well,
Scott

Sleeping on your back, with sleep apnea is the worse position you could use, it usually requires a higher treatment pressure to stop apnea. Jim

[Pugsy]

spammer.

Promoting his website and product he design.

Nothing was said anywhere about sleep apnea.

[jkfoztoo]

I identify completely with your situation BUT you can and must achieve the side and even (briefly) prone sleeping position.
You need a positive attitude but the main factors are:
1. Get the right mask. I used all options but crazily I only used the full mask when I changed from CPAP to BIPAP and was the best. You must go to bed determined to change the straps (in the dark) to achieve no air leak. Frequent us of the 'ramp' helps.
2. Get the right pressures from your sleep specialist. You can do nothing if the pressure setting is too high ... no adjustment can work if you can barely keep the mask on your face!
Good luck.